UK blocks Madagascan farmer who says mining firm ousted him from land

Unsuccessful visa application prevents Athanase Monja from attending Rio Tinto AGM, where he hoped to highlight impact of mining on his community

A Madagascan farmer who says he and his neighbours have lost access to their land because of the UK mining company Rio Tinto has been blocked from visiting London, where he had been due to address the firm's annual general meeting.

Athanase Monja planned to speak at the firm's AGM on 12 April, but was refused a visa by the Home Office. Monja, a subsistence farmer, fisherman and first assistant to the mayor in his town of Antsontso, was told by British officials he had a "lack of qualification" to speak about environmental and human rights concerns.