Amador’s detention “is another example of the purported ’rule of law’ that has kidnapped Honduras”, warns the Black Fraternal Organization of Honduras (OFRANEH) in a press release. The arrest “puts a question mark over the Honduran judiciary, where most judges serve the interests of the countries feudal elite”.

Amador, also a social communicator, was arrested on Tuesday in Talanga muncipality, in Francisco Morazan. An arrest warrant was issued against him and against community leader Marlon Robelo Urrutia, accusing them of preventing the implementation of a forestry management plan, authorized by the Forestry Conservation Institute, for an area of 600 hectares in El Porvenir municipality, Francisco Morazán. The Environmentalist Committee of Valle de Siria links the detention of Amador with his opposition to the actions of Entremares (Goldcorp).

According to the Ecumenical Human Rights Observatory in Honduras, Amador joined the struggle of over 1,000 families of the communities of the area in 2010. The families oppose the exploitation of the forestry reserve in order to protect their sources of water. Amador led the mobilization of the community of Valle de Siria to defend the forest of La Terracita when gunmen with chainsaws tried to cut it down in April. Nearly 700 people were there to prevent the destruction. Since then, the leader reported the irresponsible act both before the Environmental Attorney’s Office and before the Institute of Forestry Conservation, which already knew about the attempts of deforestation and they had not taken any measures to stop them.

Meanwhile, Entremares mining corporation has been in Valle de Siria for several years and it is accused of pollution with cyanide and other heavy metals, which has affected the health of the local population, according to OFRANEH.

Transnational corporation Goldcorp has a record of environmental destruction and human rights abuses. An example of this in Guatemala its subsidiary Montana Exploradora is the owner of Marlin mine in San Miguel Ixtahuacan and Sipacapa, San Marcos department. There, the mining corporation violated the right of indigenous peoples to be consulted and to self-determination. The project also violates the right to health, the protection of the environment and access to water.

In fact, the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights and the Organization of American States (OAS), admitted in May of 2010 that the mining concession to Montana Exploradora and the beginning of the exploitation (2005) took place without free and informed prior consultation to the Mayan communities that would be affected. For this reason the Commission ordered the Guatemalan state to suspend the activities.

“Valle de Siria” turned into a clear example of the serious consequences of open-pit mining, the serious environmental consequences and the miserable profits left in the country”, says OFRANEH.

“It is outrageous that the General Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested Amador, who is a defender of Mother Earth rights. But this is an example of the human rights policies in this country”.

Photo: http://www.mimundo-fotorreportajes.org