“They´ve started building in an illegal way the 105-meter-high wall of El Zapotillo Dam for water storage and transfer from Rio Verde, promoted by the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) in favor of the interests of companies of Leon and Guadalajara cities, without the necessary environmental impact, cultural heritage and land-use assessments and without the free and informed consent of the people affected”, reads a statement issued by Otros Mundos, Friends of the Earth Mexico.

The statement highlights that the floods will directly affect 1 thousand people, and 15,000 people indirectly, and the government responds with “disregard and impositions”. Also, several inhabitants, journalists and human rights advocates have been threatened for opposing the project.

“The Mexican government and CONAGUA decide to continue working in an illegal way, in addition to threatening human rights, the right to housing, security and legal justice, food, a healthy environment, health, work and many other rights recognized by the Mexican Constitution and the UN International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and other national and international regulations, such as the recommendations by the World Commission on Dams over ten years ago”, reads the statement, and they add: “With this work, the greenhouse gases emissions caused by dams will continue to increase”.

Because of this, they demand a halt to El Zapotillo Dam, an immediate suspension of the construction work, and a halt to the relocation process and the attacks against communities, in addition to investigations and punishment for CONAGUA´s officers and every person responsible for the illegality and corruption caused by the dam.

Photo: http://www.otrosmundoschiapas.org/