Stop Blood Coal

With the 'Stop Blood Coal campaign' PAX aims to make a difference in the lives of tens of thousands people who have become victims of paramilitary in the mining area of Cesar, Colombia. We support these victims in their search for truth and reconciliation and push mining companies to take their responsibility and contribute to actual remedy for the victims.

From 1996 to 2006, residents of the Cesar mining region of Colombia, from which European power utilities source most of their coal, have suffered greatly from paramilitary violence. At least 3100 people have been murdered, 55,000 farmers have been driven from their land and hundreds of people have disappeared. Even today, the atrocities faced by victims and their surviving relatives have never been acknowledged, let along compensation being awarded.

Perpetrators and witnesses have declared under oath in legal processes and to PAX (as registered in The Dark Side of Coal report) how the Cesar-based Drummond and Prodeco mining companies have supported the paramilitary forces with finance, equipment and information. The mining companies deny any involvement, but those victims of human rights violations who stand up for their rights, are still being threatened. PAX expects that governments and energy companies, in their role as buyers, hold their suppliers - the coal mines - accountable for the situation of the victims.

Nieuws

Unique chance for Uniper to tackle blood coal

06-06-2018 German 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
Colombian government supports dialogue in Cesar

16-02-2018 The Colombian government supports a dialogue between mining companies active in Cesar and victims of the armed conflict.
Colombia
One year later, Colombia peace accord failing

24-11-2017 Today marks one year since Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and the top leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Rodrigo Londoño, signed a historic peace agreement.
Colombia