Coal, Colombia and human rights

May 05, 2009 19:00

Published: April 29, 2009 10:22 by London Mining Network and Colombia Solidarity Campaign |

Published by group: Colombia Solidarity Campaign
Tagged as: environmentalism mining repression social_struggles

Places: old_street shoreditch

London Mining Network

Coal, Colombia and human rights: the London connection

7pm - 9pm Tuesday 5 May

London Mining Network and Colombia Solidarity Campaign, in association with Amnesty International UK, invite you to a public meeting at:

The Human Rights Action Centre, Amnesty International UK, 17-25 New Inn Yard, London EC2A 3EA.

The meeting will be in Breakout Room 1 on the main floor.

Community leader Jose Julio Perez and legal representative Armando Perez will speak about the long struggle of the people of Tabaco, Colombia, to obtain a just settlement from the Cerrejon Coal Company after villagers were violently evicted and their homes demolished to make way for mine expansion in 2001.

Cerrejon Coal is owned by three large mining companies listed on the London Stock Exchange: Anglo American, BHP Billiton and Xstrata. Some of the mine's coal feeds British power stations. The British-based Colombia Solidarity Campaign and allied groups around the world supported the community in its struggle for justice. In December, 2008, the Tabaco Relocation Committee finally signed an agreement with Cerrejon Coal which should lead to the reconstruction of their community and some compensation for their loss.

What are the pros and cons of the agreement signed? What difficulties lie ahead in implementing it? What lessons might be learned by other communities facing relocation to make way for mining projects? What role can solidarity from London-based groups play in helping communities obtain justice from London-based mining companies? Armando and Jose Julio will give their views and initiate a discussion and sharing of experiences.

Links:

London Mining Network

Colombia Solidarity Campaign

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