The International Human Rights Observer Program is a major initiative of ISN.

Why is there a need for international human rights observers in Intag?

Intag is a region located in Northwestern Ecuador. Much of Intag contains original growth forests and is rich with biodiversity. The region is very remote (it is quicker to fly from Houston to Quito than to travel by land from Quito to Junin); it is very poor (80% of Ecuador’s rural population lives in poverty); and Intag has minimal presence of state services. Junin, a community in the Intag region, has been at the center of an escalating struggle.

The struggle in Junin started in the early 1990s when the World Bank launched projects to bring mining to Ecuador. In Intag this meant a proposed large scale open pit copper mine. The conflict escalated in the mid 1990s when Mitsubishi Corporation (Bishi Metals) tried to build the copper mine. They were driven out by organized local resistance, centered in the community of Junin.

A new mining company, Ascendant Exploration, is attempting to pave the way for development of the copper mine in Junin. Ascendant’s goal is to acquire concessions and land for the mine, then sell it to a major mining company, like Rio Tinto Zinc, that has the money needed to develop the mine. To sell, Ascendant knows it has to eliminate grassroots resistance to mining.

Human rights centers in Ecuador, such as Asembelia Permanente de Derechos Humanos
(Permanent Human Rights Assembly), are increasingly concerned about paramilitarization of the area. Armed supporters of mining are present. Human rights violations in the form of death threats, disinformation, blocking of roads, and disruption of public meetings have already occurred. All of this adds up to a campaign of low intensity conflict, in which paramilitarization is next step.

The community president requested in February 2005 the presence of Observers in face of escalating potential for abuse. More recently, in August 2005, a leading community activist whose life has been threatened requested an observer accompany him and stay with in his home with him and his family.

What is the Human Rights Observer Program?

The Observer Program is part of the Intag Solidarity Network. It is a proactive approach for preventing violent conflict. Most human rights observer programs show up after the fact, sometimes when bad violence has already occurred.

The Observer Program is designed to: (1) Provide permanent presence in communities. We see presence as the key for altering power relationships and preventing a violent outcome, (2) Document events as they happen by video tapping them and writing reports. We also document events by taking people’s testimonies, (3) Denounce potential and real violations to Ecuadorian and international human rights organizations, (4) Foster community empowerment by creating some space for them to operate and through popular education about human rights, (5) Assist the community with alternative development projects, such as ecotourism, and (6) Act in solidarity in ways appropriate to particular situations.

Since February 2005, Observers have been present almost continuously in the community of Junin. Support to sustain the program so far has come from a variety of sources. Many of the folks in the United States who have donated money and/or traveled to Junin are alumni of DePauw University. Alumni from the Class of 1973 to the Class of 2005 (as well as current students and faculty) have been instrumental in already raising almost 2000USD.

Recent graduates or current graduate students form the backbone of the Observers. By involving committed, young activists without established long-term careers we are able to send people with a fair amount of flexibility. However, most Observers have limited ability to self-finance their involvement (although they are asked to help finance their work in part). Serving as an Observer is also a significant financial sacrifice as ISN is currently unable to provide any sort of stipend.

What are the needs for the Observer Program and how can you help?

The greatest need to sustain the Observer Program is financial support to cover the costs of room and board (about 250USD per month per observer) and expenses of Observers. Because many of the Observers are college graduates or former graduate students their expenses include monthly student loan payments.

The Program is not expensive to operate. We cover flights to Ecuador with frequent flyer miles. We pay the community of Junin 200USD a month per observer for food, time, and housing. We have transportation expenses, and modest expenses when Observers are in places like Quito. In addition, funds have been used to purchase a video camera for use by Observers and community members and four Walkie Talkies used by community members to keep watch over community land. Even a small contribution goes a long, long way toward covering costs.

How can you help raising money?

Become a sustaining member by contributing to the cause each month, quarterly, or in a lump annual sum. For example, a relatively small amount of money each month (25USD, 50USD, or more) can help cover a significant portion of the costs each month for the Observers program. With average monthly costs for Observers ranging between 300USD and 600USD (generally depending on how much the Observer owes in the form of Federal Student Loans), a monthly contribution of 50USD goes a long way.

One-time gifts of any amount are important as well. With such low costs, a very small amount of money can have real impact in this struggle.