07/12/2015 JAL 07/12/2015 JAL Case No Country Mandate(s) Summary of the allegation transmitted Reply OTH 13/2015 Other Business enterprises; Hazardous substances and wastes; Health; Indigenous peoples; Water and Sanitation; 23/12/2015 Letter to Vale S.A on alleged detrimental human rights impacts caused by the collapse of an ore tailing waste dam in Bento Rodrigues, a district of Mariana municipality in Minas Gerais state, Brazil, belonging to Samarco Mining S.A., a joint venture between Vale S.A. and BHP Billiton Brazil Ltd. According to the information received, 50 million cubic metres of iron ore waste washed away the Bento Rodrigues district of 600 inhabitants and the ‘mud wave’ penetrated the whole extension of the Doce river and the sea beyond the estuary, affecting the entire ecosystem of the region in its downstream path of 850 km towards the sea. Around 3 million people are estimated to be affected. Studies have shown the toxicity of the wastes, with high levels of hazardous substances such as arsenic, barium, lead, manganese, copper, iron, nickel, zinc, antimony, chrome, cobalt, vanadium, phosphor and aluminium reported. Most cities in the flood path have had water cuts, since their main water source is the Doce River and the water is untreatable for human consumption due to the large presence of suspended solids and heavy metals. It is reported that 11 bodies have been found and 12 persons are missing. Hospitals have also received patients displaying symptoms of intoxication by heavy metals. Similar communications were sent to BHP Billiton Ltd and Samarco Mining S.A., see above, case nos. OTH 11/2015 and OTH 12/2015. MDA 5/2015 Republic of Moldova Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Alleged stigmatization and criminal proceedings against a civil society association 21/01/2016 and its members. According to the information received, on 17 April 2015, an online statement was made by the Committee of State Security (KGB) of the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova in which the human rights association, Promo-LEX, and its members were accused of being funded by western donors in order to destabilize the region of Transnistria, and to pose a direct threat to the security of area. The statement also announced ‘special investigation measures’ against Promo-LEX, in preparation of criminal proceedings against the association and its members. On 7 May 2015, a second online statement was emitted by the KGB of the Transnistrian region, in which the Director of Promo-LEX, Mr. Ion Manole, was personally targeted and stigmatized. The same case was sent to the relevant authorities in the Transnistrian region, see above, case no. OTH 10/2015. A/HRC/32/53 20 Date Type