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
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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 -
Bloodcoal victim leaders threatened after speaking out
17-11-2017 Three 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
