Mining Affected Areas Eviction should End

By Mei Orias

Amnesty International Philippines (AIPh) strongly condemns the violent evictions of the residents of Lower Dinaoyan, Barangay Didipio in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya at dawn immediately after the onslaught of Ondoy and prior to typhoon Pepeng on October 1.

“The continued violation of the rights to housing, security of person and protection from being forcedly evicted of the people of Kasibu and many others belonging to indigenous groups is absolutely unacceptable. Amnesty International Philippines condemns the violent eviction and the deeply flawed process that led to it,” said AIPh Section Director, Dr. Aurora Parong.

Didipio is a mine-rich area located at the northern provinces of the Philippines. Reports gathered by the Commission on Human Rights show that as early as 2007, there had been alleged demolition of houses of indigenous peoples and checkpoints installed by a mining company within the barangay are restricting peoples’ movements. According to Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), over 100 indigenous families have already been forcedly evicted since the operation of the mining company in the area.

According to Amnesty International’s Global Campaign to Demand Dignity, forced evictions are evictions which are carried out without adequate procedural and legal safeguards, such as adequate notice, prior consultation with those affected, provision of legal remedies and adequate alternative accommodation.

“Under international law, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural rights (ICESCR), the Philippine government is prohibited from carrying out forced evictions, and must protect people from forced evictions. The case of the indigenous peoples of Kasibu is in no way different from what is happening in other parts of the country which are justified in the name of development. The right to development cannot be used as an excuse to violate other human rights. The government must intervene now and take all necessary measures, including the adoption of laws and policies that comply with international human rights law, to prohibit and prevent forced evictions. People will not stand by as their homes are illegally destroyed by their government.” Concluded Parong.

Amnesty International’s Demand Dignity campaign aims to end the human rights violations that drive and deepen global poverty. The campaign will mobilize people all over the world to demand that governments, big corporations and others who have power must listen to the voices of those living in poverty and recognize and protect their rights. October 17 is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

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