KAIROS continues to pursue mining justice
OTTAWA, ON—Canada's government has rejected the latest attempt to legislate protection for people dealing with the negative effects of Canadian mining, oil and gas activities.
Bill C-300, a private member's bill that works to ensure the protection and promotion of international human rights standards in respect of the mining, oil or gas activities of Canadian corporations in developing countries, was defeated October 27 in the House of Commons by a vote of 140 to 134.
Several mining-affected communities in developing countries have experienced human rights violations, included forced relocation, destroyed land, polluted water, death threats, murder and violations of indigenous rights. Seventy-five per cent of all mining companies are Canadian owned.
KAIROS, an ecumenical partnership organization that works to promote human rights, justice and peace, viable development and ecological justice, is standing in solidarity with those affected by mining.
KAIROS was a strong supporter of legislation like Bill C-300, encouraging the public to write their local members of Parliament as well as the prime minister.
While church leaders and members in places like Colombia, Guatemala and the Philippines are on the front line defending their rights, KAIROS is working with Canadian churches to stand with them in solidarity to hold the Canadian mining companies accountable, says Ian Thomson, program coordinator for ecological justice and corporate accountability at KAIROS' Ottawa office.
Although the bill was defeated, KAIROS will continue to support mining justice, says Thomson. The bill was the first step in the right direction.
"As much as this is a setback, the issue isn't going away and there will be more opportunities in the future to challenge the government to live up to human rights," says Thomson. "The more Canadians hear the story about Canadian mining internationally, the more concern we'll have and the more the movement for change will grow.
"We all have a responsibility to improve the practices overseas," says Thomson.
KAIROS and other organizations will highlight human rights violations through the media, through educational workshops and by pressuring the government to hold companies accountable.
Other organizations like Mennonite Central Committee are also getting involved. Its campaign, which involves MCC partner groups around the world, allows them to research and analyze the issues, monitor legislative developments, work with like-minded groups and engage MCC's supporters.
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