Yemeri Grove and Laguna Land Dispute Discussed at CCJ

Earlier today from its seat in Port of Spain, Trinidad, the Caribbean Court of Justice held a monitoring hearing in respect of the Consent Order, as well as the overall progress of the Maya land rights issue.  During the session, the most recent flare up of tension between the southern villages of Yemeri Grove and Laguna was also discussed.

Rosa Celorio

Rosa Celorio, George Washington University

“We have an ongoing situation of illegal surveying without consultation and consent of the village, I mean that’s one aspect of it.  It was of particular concern to me and my office.  Another thing is that the area at issue is an area preserved for wildlife, you know, it’s related to the management and protection of… which I understand is a lagoon and wetland for ecosystems.  And also, aside from that, you know, in the process of basically working on this complaint, I received additional information indicating a situation or context of violence and harassment provoked by complex with Yemeri Grove which is non-Maya and basically claims that Yemeri Grove is basically trespassing on Laguna Village’s land, you know, and also committing violence and basically using racially charged language to bully village members.  So that kind of sums up at least the facts that I have before me and I just wanted to tell you that a few things that I highlighted in the letter that would be great to discuss more.  One of them is that the state did issue a cease and desist order, you know, in regards to one of the third parties who are involved in this complaint.  The police did an oral cease and desist order and government can confirm whether this action was formalized, whether this was actually done in writing as well.  I did ask the state to please investigate any other allegations of illegal surveying that are coming up in this context and also the consistent issue that we have seen in complaints in general, you know, of issuing or allowing illegal surveying without consultation or consent with the villages involved.  It is something that has been a crosscutting theme in most of the complaints that my office has received.  I highlighted that consultation and consent is very critical.  The other thing I wanted to tell you that is critical in this particular scenario is vigilance and extra vigilance when it comes to environmental harm.  This is an area protected for wetlands, you know, there is potential environmental degradation.  So, according to Kairn International Law Standards, it’s very important that environmental impact assessments are made in consultation and consent that there is special vigilance over environmental harm.  And lastly, I do think it’s very important to give a close look and to investigate promptly these allegations of violence and harassment related to Yemeri Grove and basically also representatives or third party actors, you know, that are involved not only in illegal surveying, but also what’s happening with the village of Yemeri Grove as well.”