UN Human Rights Group Examines Human Rights Abuses Associated With Mountaintop Removal

When we hear the phrase “human rights abuses” we think of war torn regions of the world, the “Disappeared” of Chile’s Pinochet regime, the mangled limbs of those tortured by SAVAK when the Shah ruled Iran, and other numerous atrocities.

            Well, add to the list West Virginia and its citizens affected by mountaintop removal. The United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights has just recently visited communities that are close to mountaintop mines in the Mountain State and is now calling for an investigation into allegations of human rights abuses related to mountaintop removal.

            The group did not cite specific examples of rights abuses, but increasingly scientific evidence is linking mountaintop coal mining with cancers, birth defects, and other ailments. As seen in the movie, On Coal River, mountaintop removal threatens the safety of Appalachian residents and disrupts their lives. A report from the working group is expected in June of next year.

            Besides visiting communities affected by mountaintop mining, the UN group also met with officials from the West Virginia Coal Association, a trade association that represents the coal industry, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, and members of the Blair Mountain Heritage Alliance, Keepers of the Mountains, the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, Coal River Mountain Watch, and the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, all of which are organizations opposed to mountaintop mining.

            I am uncertain if the work of this group will make much difference to the lives of West Virginians affected by mountaintop mining. The UN does not have the authority to do anything about mining practices in West Virginia, and even if they did, we wouldn’t listen to them. It’s still disturbing to read the words “West Virginia” and “human rights abuses” in the same sentence.