Multinationals on ‘trial’ for human rights abuses in Colombia

[Judi Lynn]

Multinationals on ‘trial’ for human rights abuses in Colombia
posted by Adriaan Alsema
Aug 19, 2013

An “ethical and political trial” took place in Colombia over the weekend to protest against the allegedly unethical practices of multinational gold firm Anglo Ahshanti (AGA) and oil giant Pacific Rubiales Energy (PRE).

More than 500 representatives from across the country convened in Bogota to present evidence that the multinational corporations were involved in, among other things, the murder of union leaders, intimidation, displacement of indigenous communities and laborers, and environmental damage. The Colombia government was also criticized for giving out contracts to the companies without properly consulting the relevant communities. The objective was to gather enough evidence to be able to put forward an real legal case.

South African AGA is one of the world’s largest gold exploration and mining companies. It arrived in Colombia in 2003 and is exploring the possibility of establishing gold mines in Gramalote, north Colombia, and at La Colosa, in the central Cordillera region.

One of the most serious accusations leveled against AGA is its supposed involvement in the murder of union-leader Alejandro Uribe Chacon on September 19th 2006.
His suspicious death at the hands of the Colombian army led to the government agreeing to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death, as well as the alleged human rights violations being committed by mining companies.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/multinationals-on-trial-for-human-rights-abuses-in-colombia/

[Judi Lynn]

1. Civil Society Trial Finds Oil Corp Guilty in Colombia

Civil Society Trial Finds Oil Corp Guilty in Colombia
By Helda Martinez

BOGOTA, Aug 22 2013 (IPS) - An “ethical and political trial on pillaging of natural resources” in Colombia condemned three foreign corporations, including Canada’s Pacific Rubiales Energy, which has dozens of oil and natural gas operations around the country.

Some 500 rural and indigenous activists came to Bogotá Aug. 16-18, in some cases travelling up to 20 hours from remote mountainous and jungle areas to participate in the hearings.

The “ethical and political trial” was organised by the Red de Hermandad y Solidaridad con Colombia (REDHER), the Colombia solidarity network, which brings together civil society organisations and national and international legal experts.

The three companies on trial were Pacific Rubiales, South Africa-based mining giant AngloGold Ashanti, and Emgesa, a subsidiary of the Spanish-Italian Endesa energy company, which is involved in the El Quimbo hydropower project in the southwestern province of Huila.

More:
http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/08/civil-society-trial-finds-oil-corp-guilty-in-colombia/