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NGO’S Support SATIIM’s Injunction Move
Wed, April 16, 2014
SATIIM and the Mayan Communities in the Buffer Zone are patiently awaiting their post-judgment injunction hearing against the Attorney General and the Ministry of Forestry to restrain them from extending US Capital's Drilling Permit which ends on April 30. But while they do so, they've also gain support from 3 members of the NGO Community.

Association of Protected Areas Management Organizations (APAMO) and The Belize Institute of Environmental Law and Policy (BELPO), and the Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage have all thrown in their voices in favor of the move to try to block the permit extension.

All 3 organizations have issued statements in strong condemnation of the Government if such an extension is has been or is to be granted.

The Coalition said, "Government should be the shining beacon of following the Rule of Law and in protecting the human rights of its citizens."

BELPO criticized a bit stronger saying, "It is a sad commentary on where we are concerning respect for the law. We have three Supreme Court decisions and one decision from the Court of Appeals affirming customary land rights. We have deals made by the Government and US Capital Energy that fly in the face of those decisions."

But, as we told you last night, the Mayans are reportedly moving on erroneous information. We contacted Michael Peyrefitte, attorney for US Capital Energy, and Wilbur Sabido, the Chief Forestry Officer, Wilbur Sabido, both of whom told us that there is no extension. That's directly the opposite of what the Mayans are claiming. They reported that they were informed that Cabinet decided on last Tuesday to grant the extension, which made this injunction a matter of urgent interest for them.

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