Two years claiming justice

Two years claiming justice 25/02/2008

They have been trying for two years to recover the remains of their fathers, husbands or children. On Feb. 19, 20006, there was an explosion in a coal mine tin the state of Coahuila, which left 65 minors trapped and their bodies continue to be buried. They face the opposition of IMMSA, of Grupo Mexico", which owns the exploitation of the mine and of the Government as owner of the mine. Family members have visited EC and have explained their citizen mobilization claiming justice.

At the beginning the families wanted to rescue possible survivors, but the mining company stopped all rescue works five days after the explosion, claiming unsafe conditions in spite of a report from the Brigada de Unosa de Asturias, which travelled to the area and indicated that rescue was possible. The families have known about this only recently. Later on they waned to recover the dead bodies but once again they faced opposition from the mining company arguing the technical reports which family members tells us were manipulated.

Lastly they can only claim the remains which will tell the truth regarding what happened and the proofs that have been recovered over these two years appear to point out that the miners died not of the explosion but that they were left to die having being able to avoid it and that the safety conditions of the mine were minimum.

Today it is not enough to recover the remains of the loved ones. Thy want to know the truth and it is the first time that in this poor region of the North of Mexico, a social movement is organized, raising their voice against the injustices they live with. They are organized under the name Familia Pasta de Conchos. They started demonstrating in the region but they have already taken steps to carry out their demands at national and international levels. On the February 19, anniversary of the catastrophe, they march up to the city of Mexico DF. They have also travelled in Europe in order to seek political support from European Institutions and impact on companies that purchase coal from IMSA.

The civil organization Familia Pasta de Conchos has started in parallel a judicial process. They are aware that it is not easy but they will go to higher layers of justice as they find rejection at the lower levels as has happened with the court of Coahuila, that tried to closed the matter blaming five workers in the company and providing the family members with monetary compensation which was rejected considering that the true culprits remained free.

The Jesuit Carlos Rodriguez and Elvira Martinez, a widow of one of the miners, are the representatives of Familia Pasta de Conchos who have travelled to Europe and have shared their story with us. From EC we have shown our full support and encouraged them to continue to seek justice.