Supporters of slain Mexican activist appeal federal watchdog’s refusal to investigate case
Global News
After being beaten and threatened with death for leading protests over a Canadian company's mining project, activist Mariano Abarca was fatally shot in November 2009.
Family and supporters of a Mexican activist who was killed after opposing a Canadian company’s mining project are challenging a federal ombudsman’s decision not to investigate the matter.
They told a Federal Court of Appeal hearing Monday the public sector integrity commissioner had grounds to look into allegations that Canadian officials in Mexico City failed to follow federal policies concerning protection of human rights advocates.
Federal lawyers say there is no reason to revisit the commissioner’s decision to close the file.
After hearing several hours of arguments Monday, the appeal court reserved judgment until a later date.
The case stretches back to 2007 when Calgary-based Blackfire Exploration Ltd. opened a barite mine in Chiapas, Mexico, prompting local opposition, demonstrations and a blockade of a route to the project.
After being beaten and threatened with death for leading protests over the mine’s environmental and social effects, activist Mariano Abarca was fatally shot outside his home in November 2009.
Chiapas officials shut down the mine the following month.
Members of Abarca’s family and organizations concerned with mining abuses presented information to integrity commissioner Joe Friday in 2018, asking him to probe whether there was wrongdoing by members of the Canadian Embassy in Mexico.