Natural Resources, Conflict & Human Rights
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Blood coal victims see hope in new Colombian Truth Commission
07-12-2018Victims of violence committed in the coal mining region of Cesar, Colombia, are hopeful the new Colombian Truth Commission will help them. The commission was recently inaugurated in the Colombian capital Bogotá. Representatives from the assembly representing victims, which is supported by PAX, were at the ceremony.
Natural Resources, Conflict & Human Rights, Colombia -
Criminal investigation into mining multinational Drummond
02-11-2018On Tuesday October 30 Colombian authorities confirmed that they have started a criminal investigation into mining company Drummond over alleged financing of paramilitary forces. The investigation confirms the seriousness of the longstanding allegations and, at the same time, the need for truth and remedy for the many victims and their communities.
Natural Resources, Conflict & Human Rights, Colombia -
Prodeco advances on peace and reconciliation
18-10-2018Mining company Prodeco is leading by example by taking concrete steps that contribute to peace in Colombia. At a recent commemoration of victims in Estados Unidos, close to Prodeco’s La Jagua mine, CEO Mark McManus clearly voiced the company’s commitment to regional peacebuilding. PAX is positive about the actions taken by Prodeco as they are key towards building trust and a reconciliation dialogue.
Natural Resources, Conflict & Human Rights, Dealing with the Past, Colombia -
Victims want truth and reconciliation
30-09-2018Victims of paramilitary violence in the mining region of Cesar have forcefully expressed their desire for truth, reconciliation and reparation. Close to 400 people gathered in the town of Estados Unidos to commemorate massacres that took place 21 years ago in the area close to the La Jagua mine. The audience was addressed by both Padre de Roux, Head of the Colombian Truth Commission and Mark McManus, CEO of mining company Prodeco.
Natural Resources, Conflict & Human Rights, Colombia -
Peace but still no reconciliation in Cesar mining region
21-09-2018Today, on International Peace Day and two years after the signing of the Colombian Peace Accord, victims in the coal mining region of Cesar are still waiting for truth and reconciliation. Program manager Joris van de Sandt: “An increasing number of actors, including European energy companies buying Colombian coal, are pushing for a reconciliation dialogue between victims of grave human rights violations and mining companies in Cesar. It's time to act.”
Natural Resources, Conflict & Human Rights, Colombia -
Unique chance for Uniper to tackle blood coal
06-06-2018German energy concern Uniper has a unique opportunity to contribute to a solution for the victims of blood coal in the Cesar mining region in Colombia.
Natural Resources, Conflict & Human Rights, Colombia -
Dutch support for reconciliation in mining region
06-04-2018Dutch Minister Blok will visit Colombia today bringing along a message of support for peace and for a reconciliation dialogue between mining companies and victims of human rights violations in the coal mining region of Cesar. In the lead up to Blok’s visit his colleague minister Kaag (Foreign Aid and Trade) welcomed a resolution of the Dutch Parliament which asked for this support.
Natural Resources, Conflict & Human Rights, Colombia -
Serious threats against human rights defenders in Cesar mining region
08-02-2018Colombian human rights defenders that visited a recent meeting with the German and Dutch ambassadors have received death threats of a paramilitary group. The Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia (AGC) declared that they will 'exterminate' all those in the mining region of Cesar 'who think they are human rights defenders'. PAX Program leader Joris van de Sandt: “PAX calls upon both Colombian authorities to protect human rights defenders and mining companies to distance themselves from the paramilitary group that issued the threat.”
Natural Resources, Conflict & Human Rights, Colombia -
Iraqis fear conflict pollution will not be cleaned up
05-12-2017A new PAX report reveals how the conflict in Iraq has left a toxic trail of destruction which could have severe health consequences for Iraqis and could complicate reconstruction efforts.
Natural Resources, Conflict & Human Rights, Middle East -
Bloodcoal victim leaders threatened after speaking out
17-11-2017Three community leaders in Colombia’s Cesar mining region have been threatened with physical harm. All three recently made public statements aired in Europe and on the internet calling on mining companies to start a dialogue with victims of paramilitary violence in Cesar. PAX is concerned about their safety, and calls on the Colombian government and relevant companies to take action.
Natural Resources, Conflict & Human Rights, Colombia