Due to the lack of faith in the Guatemalan judicial system, Guatemalans are taking human rights cases against Canadian mining companies to Canadian courts. Lawyers have argued that parent companies such as HudBay Minerals Inc and Tahoe Resources are responsible for the human rights violations of their foreign subsidiaries. In a 2013 precedent setting decision, the Ontario Superior Court ruled that the case against HudBay Minerals Inc will be heard in a Canadian court. In June of this year, HudBay Minerals Inc was ordered to submit a series of internal documents that the plaintiffs believe will be key to demonstrating liability for the human rights violations. The hope is that these cases will make it increasingly possible for victims of human rights violations to find redress where they would normally have to endure an otherwise unjust judicial process in their home country.

Guatemalans Taking Human Rights Cases to Canadian Courts