JUSTICE FOR OUR SISTERS MÁXIMA ACUÑA Y DINA MENDOZA
Dear sisters,
Today we stand in solidarity for our sister Máxima Acuña, and her family, who has been sued by the mining company Yanacocha, charged of invading a land in Tragadero Grande (district of Sorochuco, province of Celendín, Cajamarca, Peru) that Yanacocha claims as its property.
Máxima and her family bought legitimately the lands, and so they have proved to Justice. Nevertheless, the Justice have filed the case presented by Máxima and have accepted the one presented by the mining company. From 2011 Máxima have suffered the harassment, violence, attacks and intimidation from the company’s private security forces that demolished her home, looted their personal goods and injured her family. Despite the fact that Yanacocha is not presenting any evidence of the ownership of the lands, on the 1st December Máxima is facing a decisive trial in which, if she loose the case, she can lose her lands.
Just for supporting Máxima and her family, Dina Mendoza, has been charged with usurpation and obstruction of the public space. The High Court of Justice in Cajamarca asked for 5 years imprisonment and 50.000 soles in favor of Peruvian State. Her trial is going to be celebrated on 2nd December.
Peruvian sisters are well organized, mobilizing themselves to offer company and support to Máxima and Dina. But the rest cannot remain in silence. We need to raise our voices challenging the injustice ! Therefore, we ask you to sign and send the attached letter to the President of the High Court in Cajamarca, calling for his justice sense when dealing with this case and the evidences presented.
You can send the letter by fax to the number : +51-76362475
In solidarity,
WMW International Secretariat