23 October 2026, 9:08am EDT

Media Advisory: Community Representatives from Six Countries to Testify on Canadian Mining Abuses at International Human Rights Hearing

Argentina Colombia Dominican Republic Ecuador Mexico Panama Human Rights Indigenous Rights International Trade & Investment
Source:
MiningWatch Canada – Justice and Corporate Accountability Project – Canadian Network for Corporate Accountability – Earthworks – Americas Policy Group

Witnesses from across Latin America and the Caribbean will bring evidence of human rights violations and environmental harm linked to Canadian mining companies before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR)

WHAT: The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) will hold a hearing next Tuesday on Canada’s responsibility to prevent, address, and remedy human rights abuses linked to Canadian mining companies operating in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Six witnesses from directly affected communities in Mexico, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Ecuador, and Argentina will share firsthand testimony on threats and violence against environmental defenders, criminalization of community leaders, water contamination, and harm to health and livelihoods.

Experts on Canada’s legal system and international human rights obligations will examine Canada’s responsibility to regulate its mining companies and ensure access to justice for those it harms. Environmental organizations will present evidence of broader patterns of abuse linked to Canadian mining operations across the region.

Canada will have an opportunity to respond to the concerns raised at the hearing.

WHEN & WHERE: Tuesday, October 27, 2026

  • 10 AM ET: Spanish-language press conference with witnesses and representatives of participating organizations in Panama. Media can view remotely on Instagram.
  • 5:00 - 6:30PM ET: Multilingual IACHR hearing in Panama City, Panama, livestreamed for public viewing. Further instructions for access and interpretation provided below.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES

  • Interview witnesses directly impacted by Canadian mining operations, representing communities in six countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
  • Speak with legal experts on Canada’s corporate accountability framework and international human rights obligations.
    Interview environmental organizations documenting patterns of harm linked to Canadian mining companies.
  • Attend the Spanish-language press conference remotely and watch the IACHR hearing live.

All hearing participants will be available to the media for interviews. Interview arrangements can be coordinated in advance.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Val Croft, Communications Coordinator, MiningWatch Canada, val@miningwatch.ca, 416-707-5986

PRESS CONFERENCE AND HEARING LIVESTREAM DETAILS:
Press conference: The Spanish-language press conference will be livestreamed on the Instagram page of Panamá Vale Más Sin Minería, accessible here. Hearing: All IACHR hearings are open to the public and will be livestreamed through the IACHR’s YouTube channel. Anyone requiring Spanish, English, or French interpretation can register via Zoom. Journalists wishing to participate in the public hearings can register here. 
 

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