Empower environmental defenders in Mexico

Last March, an event of great relevance occurred. After a lengthy legal process, the Masewal people won a lawsuit against mining concessions that were threatening their territory located in the northern highlands of the state of Puebla. This constitutes a step forward in the recognition of indigenous peoples’ rights in Mexico.

The judge's decision recognizes that, by issuing the mining concessions without having guaranteed the rights to prior consultation and free and informed consent, the Mexican government affected the Masewal people’s territory and natural heritage. Therefore, he ordered the annulment of such concessions.

This process began in the spring of 2015. When faced with the threat of mining activity on their territory, the communities of the Masewal people, alongside the Mexican Center for Environmental Law (CEMDA), decided to file a lawsuit. The arguments pointed out that the current federal Mining Law violated the indigenous people’s fundamental rights to territory, access to traditionally managed natural resources, as well as their right to water.

For the Masewal people, the land is sacred space because of the Talokan, which can be defined as the place where the lords of life dwell and where seeds, plants, animals, water, and fire are protected. There is also the Tlaltipak, which encompasses everything that lives on the ground.

Historically, Indigenous people in Mexico have been unjustly stripped of their land and natural heritage to the benefit of massive megaprojects. This legal victory sets an important legal base in the defense of the indigenous peoples’ rights in Mexico.

Links:

• Masewal people win over mining press release