Colombia Solidarity Campaign

- Fighting for Peace with Justice -

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Documentary screening: QUEREMOS CHICHA, QUEREMOS MAÍZ!

Colombia Solidarity Campaign London Branch Meeting 7pm Tuesday 15 May

A documentary about the proposed la Colosa open cast gold mining project, produced by Bertram Doll and Helena Sala. La Colosa is a project being explored by London-listed AngloGold Ashanti in Cajamarca, an agricultural community nestled in the central Andean mountains of Colombia . Beneath Cajamarca is one of the world's largest gold reserves discovered in the last decade. If the mine goes ahead, a unique ecosystem will be devastated, and strategic water sources that are crucial for the livelihoods of thousands of Colombians will be lost forever.

Bertram and Helena are coordinators of "Derecho a Ver" (The Right to View), an NGO dedicated to organizing itinerant screenings of documentaries on the theme of human rights around Colombia.

They accompanied members of the CSC delegation last September during the Cajamarca leg of the trip, and interviewed members of the organizations that we visited in Cajamarca and Anaime, including Ecotierra, Conciencia Campesina and Osada. The documentary offers an insight into the current climate of uncertainty and fear faced by the communities threatened by this multinational.


The screening will be followed by a discussion about the different sectors comprising the social resistance against the mine.
Location: The Apple Tree pub, 45 Mount Pleasant , WC1 ( Russell Square Farringdon, Kings X or Angel tube)

 

NO A LA MINA! SI A LA VIDA!

3pm-6pm, Friday 1 June, outside Colombian Embassy, London
Nearest Tube: Knightsbridge
3 Hans Crescent, London SW1X 0LN

Join us in solidarity with the people of Cajamarca, central Colombia, to say
NO TO THE COLOSA MINE AND YES TO LIFE!

No a la Mina! Si a la vida!

The project, proposed and explored by London-listed AngloGold Ashanti, the world’s third largest gold producer, and backed by the Colombian government, is expected to have devastating impacts, including:
Destruction of a rich biodiverse ecosystem which is part of protected forest reserve holding vital water sources for the region
Contamination of rivers with cyanide (used to process the ore), heavy metals and acids for centuries even after mining operations have ceased, causing illness and death to humans and animals
Displacement of communities currently farming a very fertile agricultural area that produces 20% of Colombia’s food.  Colombia’s food sovereignty is at stake.
Human rights violations, following threats to community members who oppose the project.  This way of working is nothing new to AngloGold Ashanti, who have financed paramilitary groups to obtain land for mining concessions in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Despite being presented as a project that will bring prosperity and development, local communities are fiercely voicing their opposition to the project in a march expected to attract 30,000 people, standing up in defence of their territory for future generations. PLEASE COME AND SHOW YOUR SOLIDARITY WITH THEM!

Organized by: Movimiento 22, Colombia Solidarity Campaign
Bring banners, placards and let’s make a noise!

For more information about the struggle:
See the documentary Gold Fever in Cajamarca, Colombia
Detailed information (including references) can be obtained from the CSC report La Colosa: the quest for El Dorado in Cajamarca, Colombia.

NO A LA MINA! SI A LA VIDA!

3pm-6pm, viernes 1 junio, Embajada Colombiana, Londres
3 Hans Crescent, London SW1X 0LN
Metro más cercano: Knightsbridge

Únete en solidaridad con el pueblo de Cajamarca, Tolima, Colombia, para decirle NO A LA MINA LA COLOSA, Y SÍ A LA VIDA!  El proyecto, actualmente en fase de exploración, está siendo llevado a cabo por la AngloGold Ashanti, empresa que cotiza en la Bolsa de Londres, y tercera productora de oro a nivel mundial, con el respaldo del gobierno colombiano.  Se espera que tendrá impactos devastadores, los cuales incluyen:

La destrucción de un ecosistema rico y biodiverso, que forma parte de la Reserva Forestal Central de Colombia, con fuentes de agua estratégicas para la región.
La contaminación de ríos con cianuro (utilizado para extraer el oro del mineral), metales pesados y drenajes ácidos, que se seguirán infiltrando durante siglos incluso tras el cese de actividades mineras, causando enfermedades y muerte tanto para los humanos como animales.
Desplazamiento de comunidades que actualmente cultivan alimentos de la dispensa agrícola de Colombia. Se están jugando la soberanía alimentaría de los Colombianos.
Violaciones de derechos humanos, tras amenazas a opositores del proyecto.  Este modo de operar no es nada nuevo para AngloGold Ashanti, quien financió un grupo paramilitar en el Congo para obtener tierras para sus concesiones mineras.

El gobierno y la empresa dicen que el proyecto traerá prosperidad y desarrollo. Sin embargo, las comunidades locales van a expresar su rechazo al proyecto en una marcha que esperan atraerá 30,000 personas, para defender su territorio para las generaciones futuras de Colombian@s.  TE INVITAMOS A QUE EXPRESES TU SOLIDARIDAD CON ELLOS!

Convocan: Movimiento 22, Colombia Solidarity Campaign
Traigan pancartas, instrumentos, y hagamos mucha bulla!

Para más información acerca de la lucha:
Ver el documental El Oro Contra La Vida
Ver el informe (con referencias) publicado por CSC La Colosa: La Búsqueda de El Dorado en Cajamarca, Colombia

 

A dialogue of peace for Colombia

Within the same month, one of Colombia’s principal guerrilla groups, the FARC, release ten hostages and an international conference is called in Switzerland to discuss a political solution to the country’s internal conflict. Though both have highlighted the complexity in finding such a resolution, it has also become increasingly clear that President Juan Manuel Santos is not the only one with ‘the key to peace’ within reach.

ALBA Americas Conference in Lausanne

Santos’ polemic metaphor, that he has the key to peaceful dialogues with other political groups buried in his pocket, was frequently discussed by the panellists taking part in Alba America’s conference, taking place from the 23rd – 25th of March in Lausanne, Switzerland. Those invited ranged from local Swiss government to Colombian campesinos whose daily existence is tempered by the conflict. There was also a healthy cross-section of academics and NGO representatives to provide all possible perspectives on the conflict.

That at least was the idea. Noticeable above all for their absence, and although explicitly invited, not a single representative of the current Colombian State administration arrived. Their message was clear. As for the armed actors themselves, although the FARC did not send any videos in time, the commander of the ELN sent an articulate video message detailing his hope for peaceful reconciliation with the Colombian State. With the group’s flag in the background, he called on the international community to facilitate dialogue and to encourage the peace process. The sincerity of such a statement, or whether anyone outside of the conference will bear witness, are questions that do not have a single answer. What cannot be denied is the goodwill and degree of engagement of the participants at the event, whose wealth of information was nothing short of inspirational, all driven by their desire to bring about peace in Colombia.

Over the next few posts, the reasons as to why the conflict perpetuates, as well as possible solutions that were offered, both at the conference, will be detailed. Further information, photographs and press releases of the event itself can be found at http://www.albamerica.ch/colombia/.

 

 

NEW THREAT FROM THE BLACK EAGLES TO THE LEADERS OF ASOGRAS

 

The Agricultural Association of Santander denounce the reiterated threat to the leaders of ASOGRAS to the national and international community, and human rights organisations.

Read more...
 

Public complaint: Serious harassment and threats against members of the MOVICE Tolima Branch

MOVICE, 15 December 2011, Colombia

The National Movement of Victims of State Crimes (MOVICE) denounces and opposes the serious harassment and threats against various members of the Tolima Branch from the month of June until the present. These instances of harassment are taking place against the backdrop of actions in support of student demonstrations, the demands for the protection of the territory in Cajamarca against the multinational AngloGold Ashanti, and the organisation of and participation in the International Verification Mission, which took place as part of the Campaign for the Right to Defend between 28 and November 30, in which organisations and parliamentarians from various countries in Europe, Latin America and the United States investigated the human rights situation in Colombia.

Read more...
 

London School of Economics Picket of Santos

On 22 November President Santos was in London to promote British investment in Colombia. We went to the London School of Economics (LSE) to greet him, and to express our opposition to the big mining 'locomotive' and free trade agreements, given that they only bring misery and poverty.  The only ones who will benefit from foreign investment will be the multinationals and Colombian oligarchy. We also called for a full investigation of the false positives scandal (with at least 1,200 victims assassinated by the army) that occurred when Santos was Minister of Defence.

Read more...
 

Colombian Student Strike to save Public Higher Education Forces Government Retreat, for Now

One month ago university students in Colombia launched mass, indefinite national strike to stop the proposed reform of Law 30. This 'reform' would have deepened the role of private finance and given bankers effective control over educational decisions at nominally public sector universities.

Commentators say the student movement has returned as force not seen since the 1970s.

Read more...
 

New driver, but same direction – heading for a train crash

Santos Leading Colombia towards Prosperity for All?

Colombia Solidarity Campaign London Briefing Meeting
7pm Tuesday 15 November
The Apple Tree pub, 45 Mount Pleasant, WC1 (Russell Square, Farringdon, Kings X or Angel tube)

Speakers:   Report back from delegation to Cajamarca plus briefings from Colombian guests

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Colombia Solidarity Campaign on Twitter

about 10 days ago Colombia's resistance to corporate mining excess has lessons for the world http://t.co/fNuNBtdr
about 10 days ago RT @HollmanMorris : http://t.co/lK0NEEax "Suarez Gold" en @guardiannews Reflexión recomendada sobre minería
about 25 days ago RT @amnestylondon : Thank you Andy from @ColombiaSC for an in depth discussion around HR & peaceful protest in #Colombia http://t.co/19ryL9aW
about 28 days ago Blog: No head of state should rest easy – today a precedent has been set – Taylor-made justice will catch up with you http://t.co/96K1ewqH
about 28 days ago RT @HollmanMorris : Colombianos en Londres, todavía pueden llegar a la presentación del nuevo documental Los espero!!! http://t.co/bV2KDsyW
about 28 days ago Film screening and Q&A with @HollmanMorris and experts on Afro -descendant rights and mining in #Colombia 7pm 26 Apr http://t.co/n7M1jd97
about 29 days ago Suárez Gold: Afro-Colombian miners defending their heritage - New doc from MRG Thurs 26th April Amnesty HR Centre http://t.co/bV2KDsyW
about 29 days ago RT @londonmining : Web: Colombia: going for gold http://t.co/ibbiXkTX
about 29 days ago Film screening and a Q&A with @HollmanMorris and experts on Afro-descendant rights and mining in #Colombia - 7pm 26 Apr http://t.co/n7M1jd97
about 30 days ago RT @Gus5ilva : RT @Contravia : IMPUNITY en París, Francia. HOY http://t.co/Oqko4A2g
about 30 days ago Film screening and a Q&A with @HollmanMorris and experts on Afro-descendant rights and mining in #Colombia - 7pm 26 Apr http://t.co/n7M1jd97
24 Apr 2012 Film screening and a Q&A with @HollmanMorris and experts on Afro-descendant rights and mining in #Colombia - 7pm 26 Apr http://t.co/n7M1jd97
20 Apr 2012 #FF @londonmining @ABColombia1 @Col_Caravana @JOTAKLAN @PBIColombia @PBIUK @AmnestyUK @ccajar @HollmanMorris @Contravia
20 Apr 2012 RT @londonmining : @newsneighbour Vote Rio Tinto for #GreenwashGold 2012 at http://t.co/oSZbUJIV
20 Apr 2012 RT @londonmining : Olympic medal pollution protesters disrupt Rio Tinto meeting http://t.co/xozf1XSy via @guardian #greenwashgold
20 Apr 2012 RT @bbcmundo : Los planes hidroeléctricos que pueden poner en riesgo a la Amazonia http://t.co/HtLDrDvP
20 Apr 2012 Where does the metal for 2012 medals come from? http://t.co/NbRjSajg The women leading mining resistance via @thefworduk #greenwashgold
20 Apr 2012 Protesters grab chance for a dig at mining giants - Business News - Business - The Independent http://t.co/CZcC7shU #GreenwashGold

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London Mining Network

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The London Mining Network (LMN) is an alliance of human rights, development and environmental groups. We pledge to expose the role of companies, funders and government in the promotion of unacceptable mining projects.

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Holding the mining industry to account