On Monday, August 17, 2009, at 12 noon, Mariano Abarca was kidnapped by armed individuals in unmarked cars as he left a primary public school at the municipal capital of Chicomuselo, Chiapas, Mexico.
Mr. Abarca and other members of the community were preparing to host a meeting of the Network of Mexican Communities Affected by Mining (REMA), to be held on August 29 and 30. The meeting will bring together communities affected by mining corporations in Chiapas and throughout Mexico.
Mr. Abarca, other members of the municipality of Chicomuselo, and members of REMA have held a blockade in the municipal capital since June to demand the retreat of Canadian mining corporations. The blockade has placed the interests of Canadian mining corporations at risk.
We hold Municipal President Julio César Calderon, the municipal government of Chicomuselo, the Governor of the State of Chiapas, the Canadian Government, and the following Canadian multinational corporations responsible for the security of Mr. Abarca, his family and other members of the communities opposing destructive mining:
Blackfire Exploration (www.blackfireexploration.com)–More than 10 barite, gold and antimony concessions in Chiapas
Linear Gold Corp (www.lineargoldcorp.com)– Twenty-four concessions, most of which contain gold, authorized for 50 years in Chiapas
We demand respect for the human rights of Mariano Abarca and his community. We demand intervention by the State Commission of Human Rights and the immediate adoption of all means and measures necessary to ensure the safe return of Mr. Abarca to his family. We demand that the Government of Chiapas respect the rule of law.
Signed,
The Coordinating Committee of REMA
RMALC Otros Mundos, AC, Chiapas