ICSID Admits Crawfish Rock Leaders and OFRANEH as Amici in Próspera v. Honduras

The tribunal in the Próspera arbitration against Honduras admitted the Crawfish Rock Petitioners, who are community leaders represented by Cornell Law School counsel, and OFRANEH as amici, alongside Cato and an independent researcher. CYA’s participation as amicus is denied. The tribunal says amicus statements do not carry the evidentiary weight of witness evidence.

The case page does not post the residents’ briefs, so their account is not yet on the public record in their own words. In its Counter-Memorial, Honduras says public complaints and residents’ testimony describe Próspera taking the community’s water reserve, says residents who protested were threatened and attacked, and says the record holds no formal consultation at Crawfish Rock. The Claimants’ Memorial says Próspera built the community’s first running-water well system in 2019, and cites a local news report whose headline says the community appears divided.

The parties ask for opposite outcomes. The Claimants ask for restitution or damages of US$ 1.63 billion, and Honduras asks the tribunal to dismiss all the claims. The case page lists an order on a site visit, which is not posted.