Indigenous protest in the province of Bagua, Peru. A protest against mining 2005 by farmers in the province of Piura led to a violent confrontation with police. Photo: ReutersA mining company registered in the United Kingdom has paid compensation to 33 Peruvians who claimed they were fired at, beaten and tortured by police during a protest by farmers over the rights of indigenous peoples.
Montericco metals have decided to make payments as part of a settlement deal with the law firm of Leigh day Co & London, but did not admit responsibility for the violent riots in August 2005, which left a man dead.
The line of the Peruvian province of Piura in Peru erupted after farmers objected, fearing that the mine would pollute the surrounding forests, rivers and damaging farmland.
Claiming that he had been bypassed a consultation process, a group of demonstrators marched to the mine to find the police waiting for them. They claimed that they were arrested, hooded with their hands tied behind his back, beaten with sticks and whipped cream.
Two demonstrators were shot in their legs, a man lost an eye due to gunshot wounds and a farmer called Melanio Garcia, 41, suffered a fatal blow. Lawyers for the farmers claimed that some employees of the mine safety and contractors attended the mistreatment. Montericco disputed the allegations. The case had been due to come to trial in the High Court in London this October.
A statement released by Leigh day Co & said: "we have seen evidence to suggest the company complained about the conduct of police or suspected ill-treatment the protestors.
"The case seems to highlight conflicts in Peru and elsewhere between indigenous communities and mining corporations. This protest was sparked by the conviction that local communities were ignored their concerns regarding the environmental impact of the mine. "
Richard Meeran, solicitor of the claimants, said: "our clients suffered ill-treatment deplorable and justice in Peru has been denied. This was a very expensive exercise for Montericco and constitutes a salutary lesson to the multinationals in developing countries. "
The mining company was purchased by a consortium of China in 2007, but is still incorporated in London. The guardian contacted Monterrico corporate headquarters in Hong Kong and the headquarters of their subsidiary Peruvian Lima, Rio Blanco copper s.a., for comment. No response was received at the time of publication.
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