Press Release: Civil society groups call on UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to investigate UN offset project

by CMWGlobal markets, Human rights in climate action, Sustainable developmentPosted on Comments are Disabled

28 October 2014, Brussels, Guatemala City. This month, Guatemalan and international civil society organisations have asked UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to support indigenous communities threatened with imminent and serious harm by the Santa Rita hydroelectric dam in Guatemala which was registered under the UN’s carbon offsetting scheme in June 2014. …

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Deadly protests against Guatemala hydro dam leave questions over UN Board’s project approval

by CMW2050 climate strategies, Global markets, Human rights in climate action, Sustainable developmentPosted on Comments are Disabled

In June, the UN Board of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) approved the contentious hydroelectric project Santa Ritadespite serious concerns over human rights violations. On 15 August 2014, a repressive security operation against the Q’eqchies communities of Cobán, Chisec and Raxruha by more than 1500 national police officers led to the forceful eviction of some 160 families resulting in three deaths, 50 injured, and a negative mark on the mechanism’s future. Carbon Market Watch is now calling for a formal investigation of the repressive actions and for the CDM’s Board to implement a grievance mechanism for affected communities.