December 14, 2009
The SHARE Foundation: In Today's Issue
- Anti-Mining March Against Advance in Pacific Rim Case
- A Letter from recently named SHARE Board President
- Update on Hurricane Relief and a special thanks to our donors
- Work for SHARE!
- Join us for the 30th Anniversary Romero Delegation in March
- A talk by SHARE El Salvador Director Marina Peña
Anti-Mining March Against Advance in Pacific Rim Case
The Pacific Rim lawsuit against the government of El Salvador advanced this past
November 19th when the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes announced that it had formed a tribunal to judge the case. CEO of Pacific Rim Tom Shrake stated that they hoped the arbitration would move as quickly as possible while still benefiting both parties. Pacific Rim continues to claim that mining in El Salvador can be done in such a way that it is environmentally friendly, "green mining," though worldwide, there is no case of mining that has not contaminated the environment.
The Mesa Contra la Mineria (National Working Group on Mining) continues to combat the notion of "green mining" and the 70 million dollar lawsuit. This past Wednesday, December 9th, they organized a march to end the year and to make a strong statement against the Pacific Rim case. Communities from the departments of Chalatanango and Cabañas came together in front of the International Fairgrounds to kick off the march by delivering a letter to the Presidential Palace. The letter stated that the Mesa wished to support the government of El Salvador in their defense against Pacific Rim. The letter also requested a stronger statement be made by the President and the Minister of the Environment against metallic mining in El Salvador, and suggested that the government form a closer alliance with civil society and communities working to prevent mining. After leaving the Presidential Palace, the march proceeded to the Canadian Embassy and finished by protesting the involvement of the Canadian Embassy in the mining issue; the Canadian Ambassador has consistently pressured the government of El Salvador to allow metallic mining. The Mesa wanted to make a strong statement against the involvement of the Ambassador and to continue to state their opposition to any metallic mining in El Salvador.
2009 was a bittersweet year for the fight against mining as the Mesa Contra la Mineri
a won the Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights award (see video), but also faced the disappearance, torture and murder of activist Marcelo Rivera and the violent threats made against other anti-mining activists. With the international recognition gained by winning the prize, the Mesa continues to fight against metallic mining in El Salvador and the existing impunity that allows the murder of community leaders such as Marcelo. The Mesa is currently strategizing for 2010, looking for ways to support the Salvadoran state in its legal battles with two multi-national mining companies. One possibility includes an international conference in El Salvador to explore ways to combat the lawsuit filed by Pacific Rim.
A Letter from SHARE President of the Board
December 6, 2009
Dear Friends of SHARE,
As we come to the end of the year we find ourselves accompanying the Salvadoran people with renewed enthusiasm and courage. At the November Board Meeting, I was elected to the great but challenging responsibility of Chair which I humbly accepted. As a Salvadoran, I am grateful to the leaders of SHARE, both from the Board and staff, who have served over the past 28 years by committing time, energy and resources so that SHARE could fulfill its mission. On behalf of the entire Board, we thank them wholeheartedly, for literally putting their lives on the line accompanying our sisters and brothers on those heroic delegations of the eighties that helped to repatriate refugees in El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. The resettled communities were founded by that spirit of organization that gave birth to communities of peace working towards democratic participation in the midst of great danger.
The presence of SHARE in accompanying the resettling communities, added great value to their success as well as breaking through the media barrier and bringing international attention to the plight of the refugees. Through our accompaniment, SHARE also guaranteed that the refugees would return to their original homes and have a permanent place to rebuild their lives while seeking to create peace, even though the armed conflict raged on.
The challenges ahead of us are overwhelming, but the example set by 80,000 disappeared Salvadoran martyrs enables us to move forward, planting and nurturing the seeds fertilized by their blood, sweat and tears. We at SHARE echo the historic memory of the Salvadoran people; the memory of the martyrs for us is the truth of El Salvador's turbulent history; a truth that needs to be unveiled as a condition for reconciliation.
With the new change in government, we can see the following sparks of hope that a long-awaited reconciliation will finally be realized.
-
President Funes granted the José Matias Delgado Order of High distinction posthumously to the 6 Jesuits who were assassinated by the Salvadoran Army.
-
President Funes made a speech during recognition of the Jesuits at the UCA in which he interpreted the homage to the Jesuits as "removing the cloak of darkness and lies so that the light of justice and truth should prevail. " In addition, he stated : "History, the one spelled with capital "H", is written by the people, and to be able to write it, they need memory. That's why we want this act to be an example of recovery of the collective memory; a recognition of those who were on the side of human rights, democracy and who worked tirelessly in search of justice for the poor, the reconstruction of truth and peace. Because it is from their example that we want to rebuild a new country. Some might say that this homage comes a little too late, and it might be true, but I can assure you that it comes from the depth of our heart, with the conviction that it will contribute to the healing of wounds that have been opened for too long."
-
General David Munguía Payés, Minister of Defense, made a statement assuring that the institution of the Salvadoran Armed Forces would be willing to ask forgiveness for the "errors" committed during the Civil War.
Considering these hopeful signs, SHARE will remain alert and in close collaboration with our counterparts in El Salvador, and watchful of the false idols of national security, neo-liberal economics, and globalization, always present on this continent. Neo-liberal politics have left a legacy of environmental destruction in which 90% of the Salvadoran people are vulnerable to natural disasters such as Tropical Storm Ida, which left 198 people dead, 80 missing, and more than 12,000 displaced and in need of food. Overall, 60% of the territory was affected and more than 13,600 people have been evacuated from their homes, with many roads and bridges collapsed and widespread power outage. The Salvadoran population in El Salvador as well as in the States moved quickly and effectively after the disaster. North Americans and Salvadorans joined forces by rallying behind their hometown associations and organizations, among those SHARE, to collect much needed aid and relief. Our staff in El Salvador kept us updated constantly updated on the status of the affected communities. Delegations are offering to come to El Salvador with the purpose of bringing aid and supervising its distribution to ensure transparency.
We ask donors and contributers to continue to place their trust in SHARE and our counterparts here in El Salvador. The foundation depends on your support to carry out the great task of accompanying the communities in their frantic effort to rebuild their homes and create a true democracy. Community leaders continue to seek reconciliation, based in truth, a permanent task vehemently expressed even in the worst moments and amongst greatest adversity in their history. This moment is no exception.
In Solidarity and Accompaniment,
Nicolás Avelar, M.Th. Maria Silvia Guillen
Chairman of the Board of Directors Vice President of the Board of Directors
SHARE Foundation: Building a New El Salvador Today
