OTTAWA 鈥� Family and supporters of a Mexican activist who was killed after opposing a 91原创 company's mining project are taking their case to an international human rights body.
The Justice and Corporate Accountability Project, a 91原创 initiative by volunteer lawyers, is making a complaint to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on behalf of the family of Mariano Abarca.
The complaint alleges that Canada failed to uphold its international human rights obligations by pressuring Mexican authorities to advance the mining project despite having knowledge about related threats to Abarca's life.聽
The activist's supporters have exhausted legal avenues in the 91原创 courts.
The case stretches back to 2007, when Calgary-based Blackfire Exploration Ltd. opened a barite mine in Chiapas, Mexico, prompting local opposition, demonstrations and a blockade of a route to the project.聽
After being beaten and threatened with death for leading protests over the mine's environmental and social effects, Abarca was shot and killed outside his home in November 2009.聽
Several years later, members of Abarca's family and organizations concerned with mining abuses asked Joe Friday, Canada's public sector integrity commissioner, to probe whether there was wrongdoing by members of the 91原创 Embassy in Mexico.
They said federal policy required 91原创 embassies to promote corporate social responsibility and assess possible human rights effects, including violence.聽
The supporters also argued the embassy never investigated the source of the tensions between the community and Blackfire and did not conduct a violence-related risk assessment.聽
In addition, the family members and groups noted that, while embassy officials met Mexican officials to advocate on Blackfire's behalf, there was no indication the embassy raised concerns with the Mexican government about Abarca's safety or the importance of respecting democratic values such as free speech.
However, Friday decided not to conduct a probe.聽
In April 2018, he found there was no breach of a code of conduct and no wrongdoing by the embassy in its interactions with Blackfire, given its mandate to assist 91原创 companies abroad. Friday also concluded the embassy had not ignored human rights concerns, noting that after Abarca was arrested by police in 2009 the embassy sought information about his detention.聽
The Federal Court concluded it was reasonable for the commissioner to decide not to investigate, a ruling upheld by the Federal Court of Appeal. In January of this year, the Supreme Court of Canada said it would not hear the case.
As a member of the Organization of American States, Canada is bound to respect standards set by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Abarca's supporters say.
The complaint about Abarca's case asks the commission to conclude that Canada must make reparations for violating his rights to life, freedom of expression, association and due process under the law.聽
Jos茅 Luis Abarca, Mariano's son, said in a statement released by Mining Watch Canada that Ottawa has refused to investigate whether 91原创 officials "bear any responsibility for my father's murder."
"This case is important, not only for my family, but for all the other human rights and environmental defenders around the world who have the misfortune of catching the eye of 91原创 mining interests."
This report by The 91原创 Press was first published June 7, 2023.
The 91原创 Press
