Human rights and mining: the practice, the dream and the transformation

In this presentation I will talk about how a human rights analysis and specifically an economic, social and cultural rights analysis can benefit the issue of mining and campaigns around mining. I will describe the work that the Center for Economic and Social Rights (CESR) has been doing in Central America and internationally and give some thoughts on challenges and the possibilities for further work. Finally I will talk about whether a rights analysis benefits community members.

To tell you briefly about where I work. The Center for Economic and Social Rights was founded in 1993 to promote social justice through human rights. CESR documents violations of economic and social rights, collaborates with local partners in affected communities, and advocates for changing policies that impoverish and exploit people. CESR currently has programs in Health and Environmental Justice, the USA and the Middle East and Central Asia.