Pacific Rim is suing El Salvador for up to hundreds of millions of dollars under the U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement for not approving a mining license. Since Canada isn’t part of this agreement, Pacific Rim opened a subsidiary in Reno, Nevada.

SIGN-ON to this letter: Please send the name or your organization and country to Manuel Perez-Rocha of the Institute for Policy Studies, manuel@ips-dc.org.

To:
Robert Zoellick, President, World Bank
Meg Kinnear, Secretary-General, ICSID
V.V. Veeder, Tribunal president
Brigitte Stern, Tribunal member
Guido Santiago Tawil, Tribunal member

From: Civil society organizations

The signers of this petition represent civil society organizations.  We are writing out of solidarity with the communities of El Salvador that have been working through the democratic process to prevent a proposed cyanide-leach gold mining project, over well-founded fears that it threatens to poison the local community’s environment as well as the country’s most important river and source of water.

Rather than complying with the environmental permitting process of El Salvador, Pacific Rim launched an attack under the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). They are demanding compensation from the government of El Salvador that could rise to hundreds of millions of dollars.  In an abuse of process designed to attract jurisdiction under DR-CAFTA, Pacific Rim moved its subsidiary from the Cayman Islands to Nevada in the United States.  The case will be decided by a tribunal at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), associated with the World Bank.

Pacific Rim is using ICSID and the investor-state rules in a free trade agreement to subvert a democratic nationwide debate over mining and sustainability in El Salvador.  These matters should not be decided by an ICSID arbitration tribunal. In the course of Pacific Rim’s intervention in the political affairs of El Salvador, four anti-mining activists have been murdered in the project area.

We stand with these communities and the government of El Salvador in their demand that their domestic governance processes and national sovereignty be respected, and thus that this case be dismissed.  We stand on the side of democracy.

Sincerely,

International networks:

1. International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
2. Amigos de la Tierra América Latina y el Caribe (ATALC)
3. Convergencia de Movimientos de los Pueblos de las Américas
4. International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions (ICEM)
5. International Forum on Globalization
6. Jubileo Sur / Americas
7. Movimiento Mesoamericano contra el Modelo Extractivo Minero (M4)
8. People’s Health Movement
9. People’s Health Movement in EuropeUnited States:
10. AFL – CIO
11. Alliance for Global Justice
12. American Federation of Teachers
13. American Jewish World Service
14. Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM)
15. Brazilian Inmigrant Center
16. Brooklyn for Peace
17. Campaign for Labor Rights
18. Casa El Salvador
19. CEIG Boulder-Communities Engaged in Global Justice
20. Center for International and Environmental Law
21. Chicago Religous Leadership Network on Latin America (CRLN)
22. Citizens Trade Campaign
23. Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach
24. Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES)
25. Communications Workers of America (CWA)
26. Community Service Organization (CSO)
27. Cumberland Countians for Peace & Justice and Network for Environmental & Economic Responsibility of United Church of Christ
28. Denver Justice & Peace Committee
29. Department of Sociology and Anthropology, St. Olaf College
30. Doctors for Global Health, USA
31. Due Process of Law Foundation – USA
32. Earth Economics
33. Food and Water Watch
34. Food First
35. Friends of the Earth
36. Gender Action
37. Global Community Rights Framework Initiative
38. Global Exchange
39. Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
40. Global Justice for Animals and the Environment
41. Global-Local Links Project
42. Grassroots Global Justice
43. Guatemala Human Rights Commission/USA
44. Holy Cross International Justice Office
45. Institute for Policy Studies, Global Economy Project
46. Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
47. International Brotherhood of Boilermakers
48. International Brotherhood of Teamsters
49. International Labor Rights Fund (ILRF)
50. International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU)
51. International Longshoremen’s Association
52. Jobs with Justice Massachusetts
53. Jubilee Oregon
54. Labor Council for Latin American Advancement
55. Labor-Religion Coalition of New York State
56. LASC Milwaukee
57. Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA).
58. MAIZ
59. Manhattan Alliance for Peace and Justice
60. Maquiladora Health & Safety Support Network
61. Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
62. Maryland Presbyterian Church
63. Mennonite Central Committee U.S.
64. Midwest Coalition against Lethal Mining
65. Milwaukee Fair Trade Coalition
66. Mingas NY
67. New Rules for Global Finance Coalition
68. New York Whale and Dolphin Action League
69. Nicaragua Network
70. NY4whales.org
71. Occupy Wall Street Trade Justice Working Group
72. Office of the Americas
73. Oregon Fair Trade Campaign
74. Oregon New Sanctuary Movement
75. Power in Community Alliances (PICA)
76. Public Citizen
77. Rights Action
78. Salvadoran American National Association (SANA)
79. SANIPLAN
80. Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
81. SHARE Foundation – El Salvador
82. Sierra Club
83. Sisters of Mercy of the Americas–Institute Justice Team
84. SOAW Boulder-School of the Americas Watch
85. Southern California Immigration Coalition (SCIC),
86. Texas Trade Fair Coalition
87. TradeJustice New York Metro
88. TransAfrica Forum
89. United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE)
90. United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society
91. United Mine Workers of America (UMWA)
92. United Steelworkers
93. United Steelworkers District 7
94. US Labor Education in the Americas Project (USLEAP)
95. Voices on the Border
96. Washington Ethical Society Global Connections
97. Washington Fair Trade Coalition
98. Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA)
99. Wetlands Activism Collective
100. Witness for Peace
101. Working Families WinEl Salvador and US-El Salvador Binational Groups:
102. Arlington – Teocinte Sister City Project
103. Asociación de Comunidades para el Desarrollo de Chalatenango (CCR)
104. Asociación de Desarrollo Económico y Social, Santa Marta (ADES)
105. Asociación para el Desarrollo de El Salvador (CRIPDES)
106. Atlantic Regional Solidarity Network
107. Austin – Guajoyo Sister City Project
108. Bangor – Carasque Sister City Project
109. Binghamton-El Charcon Sister City Project
110. Capitulo Salvadoreño de la Plataforma Interamericana de Derechos Humanos, Democracia y Desarrollo (CPIDHDD),
111. Centro de Estudios y Apoyo Laboral, CEAL
112. Centro de Investigación sobre Inversión y Comercio (CEICOM)
113. Chicago – Cinquera Sister Cities
114. Comité Internacional contra la Explotación Minera
115. El Salvador Sistering Committee
116. Focus Central America, Wichita, KS
117. Friends of Chilama
118. FUDESCA
119. Fundación de Estudios para la Aplicación de Derechos (FESPAD)
120. Madison Arcatao Sister City Project
121. Mesa Nacional frente a la Minería Metálica en El Salvador
122. Mesa Permanente por la Justicia Laboral (FESPAD)
123. Movimiento Nacional en Defensa de la Tierra (MOVITIERRA)
124. Movimiento Unificado Francisco Sánchez 1932 (MUFRAS 32)
125. Oberlin in Solidarity with El Salvador (OSES)
126. Red de Acción Ciudadana frente al Libre Comercio frente al Libre Comercio e Inversión Sinti Techan
127. SITRASACOSI
128. UNES, Unidad Ecologica Salvadoreña
129. Watertown-El Salvador Sister City GroupCanada:
130. Breaking the Silence Solidarity Network
131. Canadian Union of Public Employees
132. Coalition québécoise sur les impacts socio-environnementaux des transnationales en Amérique Latine (Coalition QUISETAL)
133. Committee to Support Social Development in El Salvador
134. Common Frontiers
135. Conseilleres en Gestion Praxis
136. Council of Canadians
137. International Human Rights Clinic of the University of Quebec at Montreal
138. MiningWatch Canada
139. Partners in Mission Unit, The United Church of Canada
140. Peace and Justice Committee, Grace Mennonite Church
141. Polaris Institute
142. Rights Action
143. Salvadorian Canadian Association of Ottawa and National Capital Region (ASCORCAN)
144. SalvAide
145. Social Justice Committee of MontrealOther Countries (alphabetical, by country):
146. DIÁLOGO 2000, Argentina
147. Foro Ciudadano de Participación por la Justicia y los Derechos Humanos (FOCO), Argentina
148. Public Health Association of Australia, Australia
149. Informationsgruppe Lateinamerika – IGLA, Austria
150. 11.11.11, Belgium
151. Broderlijk Delen, Belgium
152. Democracy Center, Bolivia
153. Fundacion Solón, Bolivia
154. Amigos de la Tierra, Brazil
155. Associação de Favelas de São Jose dos Campos – SP – Brasil, Brazil
156. Ecosistemas, Chile
157. Consejo de Defensa de la Patagonia, Chile
158. Asociación Campesina de Desarrollo Sostenible – ASCADES, Colombia
159. Asociación Campesina Huerto Renacer Sucre Cauca, Colombia
160. Asociación Consejo Regional del Pueblo Nasa del Putumayo KWE’SX KSXA’W, Colombia
161. Asociación de Desarrollo Integral Sostenible Perla Amazónica – ADISPA Putumayo, Colombia
162. Asociación de Productores y Procesadores Camino al Futuro – ASPROCAF-Putumayo, Colombia
163. Asociación de Productores y Procesadores Semillas de Paz – ASPROSEPAZ-Putumayo, Colombia
164. Asociación familiar de víctimas de ejecuciones extrajudicial sembradores de paz, Colombia
165. Asociación familias desplazadas del municipio de Argelia Cauca, Colombia
166. Censat Agua Viva – Amigos de la Tierra Colombia, Colombia
167. Comisión Intereclesial de Justicia y Paz, Colombia
168. Comunidad de Autodeterminación Vida y Dignidad (CAVIDA), Colombia
169. Comunidad de Vida y Trabajo la Balsita- DABEIBA – Antioquia, Colombia
170. Comunidad Indígena Nonan – Resguardo Santarosa De Guayacan – Valle del Cauca, Colombia
171. Comunidades Indígenas Embera del Resguardo Urada Jiguamiando, Colombia
172. Consejo Comunitario De La Comunidad Negra Del Rio Naya- Valle del Cauca, Colombia
173. Consejos comunitarios asociados en ZH y ZB de Curbaradó y Jiguamiandó, Colombia
174. Escuela de Derechos Humanos Ullucos, Resguardo san Francisco Toribío- Cauca, Colombia
175. Grupo Autoayuda Los Andes Colombia – Alemania, Colombia
176. Grupo de Jovenes Raices de Dignidad Perla Amazónica – JURADIPA Asociación Campesina Bienandante Sucre Cauca, Colombia
177. Jóvenes Unidos Por El Bienestar Del Calima Jubca – Valle del Cauca, Colombia
178. Zona de Biodiversidad Buena Vista-Putumayo, Colombia
179. Zona de Biodiversidad El Triunfo-Putumayo, Colombia
180. Zona de Biodiversidad La Gurrera-Putumayo Pueblo Kamëntsä Alto Putumayo Grupo Porvenir, Colombia
181. Zona de Reserva Campesina Perla Amazónica-Putumayo, Colombia
182. Asociación Agroecologica Esther Cayapu – Trujillo, Colombia
183. Asociación Agroecologica Koinonía – Trujillo, Colombia
184. Asociación Agroecológica Asavip – Trujillo, Colombia
185. COECOCEIBA-Amigos de la Tierra, Costa Rica
186. Comisión Nacional de Enlace (CNE), Costa Rica
187. Colectivo Mujeres APE, Ecuador
188. Ecuador Decide, Ecuador
189. Jubileo 2000, Red Ecuador, Ecuador
190. Observatorio de Conflictos Mineros de América Latina (OCMAL), Ecuador
191. ATTAC Finland, Finland
192. France Amerique Latine (FAL), France
193. Asociación de Maestros de Educación Rural de Guatemala, Guatemala
194. Asociación Q’anil, Guatemala
195. Ceiba/Amigos de la Tierra Guatemala, Guatemala
196. Consejo de Investigaciones e Información en Desarrollo CIID, Guatemala
197. Comité Regional Ambientalista, Valle de Siria, Honduras
198. Consejo Cívico de Organizaciones Populares e Indigenas de Honduras (COPINH), Honduras
199. Movimiento Madre Tierra Honduras, Honduras
200. Humanist Party of Iceland, Iceland
201. ATTAC, Japan, Japan
202. Japan Network on Debt & Poverty (DebtNet), Japan
203. Kamukunji Paralegal Trust (KAPLET), Kenya
204. Alianza Mexicana por la Autodeterminación de los Pueblos (AMAP), Mexico
205. Alianza por el Derechos a un Medio Ambiente Sano, Chiapas, Mexico
206. Asociación de Usuarios del Agua de Saltillo AUAS, Mexico
207. Centro de Estudios de la Región Cuicateca, Oaxaca, Mexico
208. Centro Mexicano de Justicia Ambiental (CMJA), Mexico
209. Ciudadanos en Apoyo a los Derechos Humanos, A.C., Mexico
210. Coalición de Organizaciones Mexicanas por el Derecho al Agua (COMDA), Mexico
211. Colectivo Cultural Corazon de Piedra Verde, Mexico
212. Colectivo de artesanos Urbanos manos que Hablan, Mexico
213. Instituto Mexicano de Desarrollo Comunitario (IMDEC), Mexico
214. La Ventana/Oaxaca, Mexico
215. Medio Ambiente y Sociedad A.C., Mexico
216. Movimiento Agrarista Indigena Zapatista MAIZ, Mexico
217. Movimiento Mexicano contra las Represas (MAPDER), Mexico
218. Otros Mundos, A.C./Amigos de la Tierra México, Mexico
219. Red Mexicana de Acción frente al Libre Comercio (RMALC), Mexico
220. Red Mexicana de Afectados por la Minería (REMA), Mexico
221. Revuelta Verde/Marea Creciente, Mexico
222. Servicio paz y Justicia De tabasco, Mexico
223. Servicios para una Educación Alternativa AC (EDUCA)/ Oaxaca, Mexico
224. Union de Comunidades Indigenas de la Zona Norte del Istmo (UCIZONI-Mexico), Mexico
225. ASEED Europe, Netherlands
226. Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO), Netherlands
227. Transnational Institute, Netherlands
228. Centro Alexander von Humboldt, Nicaragua
229. Movimiento Social Nicaraguense Otro mundo es Posible, Nicaragua
230. Labour, Health and Human Rights Development Centre, Nigeria
231. Norwegian Solidarity Committee for Latin America, Norway
232. Asociación de Defensa de la Vida, Peru
233. Cooperacción, Peru
234. Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Phillipines
235. Africando, Spain
236. Colectivo El Salvador Elkartasuna, Spain
237. Ecologistas en Acción, Spain
238. Plataforma de Solidaridad con Chiapas y Guatemala de Madrid, Spain
239. People´s Health Movement (PHM), Sri Lanka
240. Sweden – America Latina (SAL), Sweden
241. Corner House, UK
242. Environmental Network for Central America, UK
243. REDES – Amigos de la Tierra, Uruguay