Swiss mining firm backs court's land rights decision in Guatemala

The Switzerland-based Solway Investment Group supports a recent court ruling that mandates Guatemala to acknowledge the property rights of an Indigenous community.

— Christopher Sherman reports for AP News.

In short:

• The Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled against Guatemala, asserting the rights of the Indigenous Q’eqchi’ people over mining lands.
• Guatemala is instructed to legislate for Indigenous property recognition and start awarding land titles to the Agua Caliente community within six months.
• Solway, which acquired local mining companies in 2011, pledges to assist the Guatemalan government in respecting the court's decision and the rights of the Indigenous community.

Key quote:

“We will support the efforts of the Guatemalan government to conduct discussions with (the) Agua Caliente community as the court ruling stipulates.”

— Statement from Solway Investment Group

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