Govt, mining company violated rights of locals, claims report of 10 years of reprisals

By The Nation

 

File photo

 

Fortify Rights has accused Thai authorities and a Thai gold mining company of violating the rights of local environmental defenders involved in opposing a gold mine in northeastern Thailand for more than a decade.

 

Amy Smith, executive director of Fortify Rights, said on Tuesday it was high time the government ensured environmental defenders can carry out their legitimate work without fear of abuse or retaliation.

 

She was speaking as her organisation released a new 90-page report, “We Fight to Protect Our Home: Reprisals Against Environmental Defenders in Loei Province, Thailand”. 

 

The report documents 10 years of alleged abuses against a mining-affected community in Leo’s Wang Sa Phung District, including judicial harassment, arbitrary detention, death threats, and violations of the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and a healthy environment. 

 

“This community is facing ongoing reprisals for standing up for their environment, their rights, and their livelihoods for years,” said Smith.

 

In 2007, residents of six villages surrounding a gold-copper open-pit mine operated by the Thai-registered mining company Tungkum Ltd formed Khon Rak Ban Kerd Group (KRBKG) to fight for the closure of the gold mine and remedies for adverse health and environmental impacts they say are linked to the gold mining operation.

 

But members of KRBKG have faced criminal prosecutions for their non-violent and legitimate activities.

 

Fortify Rights conducted a three-year investigation into human rights violations and abuses against members of KRBKG and others in the community. The report is based on 59 interviews with survivors and eyewitnesses, government officials and others in multiple locations in Thailand.

 

Fortify Rights also monitored 22 legal proceedings brought by Thai authorities and Tungkum Ltd against environmental defenders involved in opposing the mining operations, and obtained and analysed more than 1,900 pages of evidence including legal documents, and more than 500 videos and 1,000 photos.

 

According to Fortify Rights, Thai authorities initiated three criminal complaints against 14 members of KRBKG for engaging in protest activities related to the gold mine last year. Tungkum Ltd also filed at least 19 criminal and civil lawsuits against 33 Loei residents and members of the KRBKG as well as against a freelance journalist between 2007 and 2017. One case involved a complaint against a local 15-year-old girl.

 

“This lawsuit was brought to make all the residents feel afraid to oppose the mining operations,” said Suphat Khunna, a 45-year-old farmer who faces criminal charges for participating in a peaceful protest against the gold mine. “It causes worry and concern.”

 

“These lawsuits aiming to silence critical voices must come to an end,” said Sor Rattanamanee Polkla, human rights lawyer and head of Community Resource Centre Foundation, a non-profit organisation providing pro-bono legal aid for KRBKG members and other affected communities across Thailand.

 

“Tungkum Ltd and Thai authorities should end all arbitrary legal proceedings against environmental defenders, community leaders, and journalists who are carrying out legitimate activities,” said Sor Rattanamanee.

 

The report also documents evidence of serious and unchecked environmental contamination in areas surrounding the gold mine.

 

Government testing of local streams and rivers in Loei Province found unsafe levels of cyanide, arsenic and manganese – known by-products of gold mining processes. Tests also revealed cyanide, arsenic, manganese, cadmium and lead in underground water supplies. 

 

“Thai authorities should fully investigate and remedy potential environmental and health impacts resulting from the gold mine,” said Smith.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30355577

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-10-02

2 hours ago, webfact said:

But members of KRBKG have faced criminal prosecutions for their non-violent and legitimate activities.

A failure of the judicial system.  These good people deserve better.  Doubt that will happen anytime soon.

Money and power, so it means you are screwed as a common person

Shut down a well managed operation that abided by environmental laws.....but the turn around and screw the locals for this cheap charlie operation that has polluted everything in the area!

3 hours ago, webfact said:

judicial harassment, arbitrary detention, death threats, and violations of the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and a healthy environment. 

Mining contamination is OK for Thai gold mining companies but not OK for foreign owned mining companies even with Trade Agreements in place. Thai miners and their "friends" can just use the system to crush any objectors.

For foreign company's such as Australian gold miner Kingsgate which was alleged to have caused pollution the PM enthusiastically uses Article 44 to immediately shut the mine down. Such is the hypocrisy that exists within the junta.

A cynical person might even think there was an ulterior motive for the speed of this closure.

hmm, ill be googling fortify rights now. Where i live we are being treated appaulingly with threats and such because we complaines about illegal toxic activities which everyone from officials to police are protecting. Lets hope there is a geoup of people out there that do care about their health the country.

Only the 'right' kind of Justice can be bought in Thailand.