PRI: Public Radio International

Guatemalan villagers make long journey to Canada in search of justice

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 10:15:00 -0600

A group of rural Guatemalans want justice for what they say are the misdeeds of a Canadian mining company. Fearing they won't get it in their own country, they've traveled to Toronto to try and get it.

Rico Suave

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 09:32:27 -0600

Terrible crimes I would not wish upon anyone.

However, I have to question the motive here. How is Hudbay liable for the gang rapes which occurred in 2007 when Hudbay did not buy the Guatemalan Nickel company until 2008?

Further, having just bought the company, information coming out of Guatemalan mining operations is so scarce, Hudbay could not have prevented what one Guatemalan did to another in 2009, as tragic as it is.

I've heard in recent years how Canadian Mining companies are "evil" and do "bad things" but in this case, no Canadian did anything wrong to these people other than invest in their country and offer Guatemalans jobs. They admit themselves corruption is rampant in their country and now they with socialist groups are possibly using the victim scenario to take money from companies run by people who care.

The case does have to be heard though - because Canadians care and we do not want to do our diligence to make sure such atrocities are not perpetrated or greatly caused by our corporations.

Thanks

Laura Lynch

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 11:27:11 -0600

The plaintiffs argue that Hudbay is "vicariously liable" having bought the company. Of course, all these arguments and claims have yet to be tested by a court. That will start next March, with the basic question of whether a Canadian court should even hear arguments.