Northeast Gas pipeline: Public Hearings begin without providing the participation of Aboriginal groups directly impacted by the project

April, 2008 - In the context of follow-up of mega infrastructure projects for the development of the Initiative for the Integration of Regional Infrastructure in South America (IIRSA), the Centre for Human Rights and Environment attended the public hearing on the Gas pipeline of the Northeast in Argentina (GNEA), developed the recent April 17 in the town of Presidente Saenz Pena, in the province of Chaco.

During this procedure, organized by the Secretariat of Environment of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Works, Utilities and the Environment of the Province of Chaco, a government-owned Argentine Energy Company (ENARSA) introduced an environmental impact study that focuses on the potential environmental and social impact that the gas pipeline holds for the communities of the province of Chaco.

The first part of the hearing was devoted exclusively to the exhibition by engineers from ENARSA in charge of the project to the introduction of each of the chapters of this study consisting of 14 volumes, approximately 5000 sheets. Subsequent to the presentation was opened for questions from the audience, most of whom introduced questions about the implementation of the project.

CEDHA raised the urgent need to coordinate the environmental impact study with the application of the methodology for evaluating environmental and social strategy that is being promoted within the IIRSA initiative, within witch the GNEA project is part of. In front of this raises, authorities from ENARSA admitted to not be aware of the regional initiative which is part of this project and indicated that their plans are limited to filling in with the legal requirements applicable to the project.

Taking into account the nature of projects IIrsa and their current and potential impacts on hundreds of South American communities, remains a source of concern for the potentially affected as well as for civil society organizations, the lack of a comprehensive analysis about the impact Partner environmental projects and the model for infrastructure development which has been sought.

An important point to emphasize is the absolute absence of representatives of Aboriginal communities in the hearing, especially if we take into account that it will have a direct impact on communities' lands for Tobas, Mocovíes and Wichi. From ENARSA reported that subsequent to the adoption in different jurisdictions would be briefings with the various affected communities. However concerned at the situation of this type of measure, post-decision-making process does not guarantee the right of public participation of the indigenous communities in this process, rights expressly establish in the National Constitution, provincial legislation and international norms of Human Rights, which aims to ensure human rights to health, quality of life and environment of communities Argentine.