PRESENTACION ESCRITO AMICUS CURIAE RELATIVO AL FONDO DE LA DIFERENCIA

This amicus curiae brief, submitted by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) on behalf of members of the Mesa Nacional Frente a la Minería Metálica de El Salvador, argues that El Salvador's regulatory measures regarding the 'El Dorado' mining project are consistent with international human rights and environmental obligations. The document contends that the state must protect citizens from the risks of extractive industries, particularly in water-scarce and densely populated areas, and that public interest is defined through environmental democracy and the rights of access to information and participation.

• The amici argue that international human rights law requires states to implement regulatory frameworks that protect against environmental damage that could violate human rights, and that applying such a framework does not constitute an illicit act.
• The document asserts that environmental impact assessments (EIA) and public consultations are not mere formalities but essential legal tools to prevent human rights violations and environmental damage.
• The amici contend that 'public interest' should be defined based on environmental democracy and the rights of access to information, participation, and justice, as outlined in Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development.
• The brief argues that the requirement in the Mining Law for authorizations from landowners in the exploitation zone is an expression of Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration, ensuring the participation of those directly affected.
• The document claims that the presence of Pac Rim in El Salvador led to social conflict and violence, including the targeted killing and torture of environmental defenders between 2006 and 2014.
• Specific violent incidents are cited, including the 2009 kidnapping and murder of Marcelo Rivera, the killing of Ramiro Rivera and Felicita Eschevarría, and the murder of a pregnant woman, Dora Alicia Resinos Sorto.
• The document reports that Pac Rim attempted to secure a 'social license' through payments of approximately $1 million USD per year to community projects, political parties, and local mayors, which the amici claim created 'corrosive communities' and social polarization.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (2014). PRESENTACION ESCRITO AMICUS CURIAE RELATIVO AL FONDO DE LA DIFERENCIA. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/PacRim_AmicusEsp_25Jul2014.pdf

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. PRESENTACION ESCRITO AMICUS CURIAE RELATIVO AL FONDO DE LA DIFERENCIA. 2014. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/PacRim_AmicusEsp_25Jul2014.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=PRESENTACION ESCRITO AMICUS CURIAE RELATIVO AL FONDO DE LA DIFERENCIA |date=25 July 2014 |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/PacRim_AmicusEsp_25Jul2014.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforinternationalenvironmentallaw2014presentacion, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{PRESENTACION ESCRITO AMICUS CURIAE RELATIVO AL FONDO DE LA DIFERENCIA}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2014}, month = jul, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/PacRim_AmicusEsp_25Jul2014.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }