DECLARATION

Archbishopric of Huancayo – Peru

Must not remain silence in the face of evil

Yes to the reactivation of the metallurgical complex in La Oroya, but only after the achievement of the Program of Adaptation and Environmental Management (PAMA) that ensures life, health and a worthy job.

“ If you remains in my Word…. you will known the Truth and the truth will set you the free” (Jn.).The Archdicesean Church of Huancayo, faithful to the Jesus’ Word asserts, to the National Government, to the Republic Congress, to the Regional Government of Junìn and to the public opinion, the following:

1.Life’s announcements to honor the person. By the month of December 2011, with the Metallurgical Complex of the La Oroya (CMLO) paralysed from June 2009:

a.The quality of air in La Oroya got improved significantly. The concentration of Solfur Dioxide (SO2) has reduced to 99,5% and the presence of lead in the particulate matters (PM10) has reduced to 98,8%. (comparative monitoring of the air quality carried out by El Mantaro Revive project).

b.Concerning health, we are encouraged to know that the results of the haematic analysis performed in La Oroya, by means of Convenio MINSA-Doe Run Peru and the regional Government of Junin in 2008, at that time that the CMLO was running, show that only the 5,91% of the analysed persons had levels of lead lower than 10 microgrames per deciliter of blood (μg/dl). Instead in November 2011 (after 30 months of CMLO’s paralysis) 52,9% of the estimated showed levels of lead lower than 10 μg/dl.

2. Indignant irresponsibility. The Doe Run Peru (DRP) company, for the second time (2009), has obtained a 30 months prolongation to comply with the PAMA, though it has not discharged repeatedly with the duties towards the country. For that reason we feel indignant concerning this request of a new 30 months’ prolongation, that is going to hardly affect life and health of the population.

3. Before the application of a third extension by the PAMA we must not remain silence because its non-fulfilment is a crime against the dignity and the health of inhabitants of La Oraya and against the workers at the CMLO witch are obliged to work in a inhumane conditions.

4. In this period of conversion and solidarity which is the Lent time, Pope Benedict XVI reminded us that “We must not remain silence in the face of evil. I think about all those Christian which adapt to common thought, for human respect or for convenience and stop warning their brothers against the ways of thinking and acting that contradict the truth and do not follow the path of good.”

5. As a consequence of that, the Archdicesean Church of Huancayo reaffirms: Yes to the reactivation of the metallurgical complex in La Oroya, but only after the achievement of the Program of Adaptation and Environmental Management (PAMA) that ensures life, health and a worthy job.