The North Shore Colombia Solidarity Committee Blog

The latest from Yvette: Soon to leave Medellin from: Avi Chomsky Nov 12, 2006 8:58 PM

Several members of our delegation stayed on in Colombia to attend the
Permanent People's Tribunal on the impact of multinational mining in
Medellin on Nov. 10-11. Delegate Yvette Michaud reports:

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We had two very busy days. I feel that I am still on the delegation! Am
waiting for the bus to return us to La Guijira in Northern Columbia.


Yesterday, the 11th was the second day of the People¨´s Tribunal. In the
morning two other cases were presented against mining companies. The Judges
left around noon to prepare their decision. We then saw a play on the theme
of resistance.from a group from the Choco area. It was very good and lasted
one hour. There were hundreds of groups ( communities, unions, NGOs, all the
various organizations who work in the field of social justice) present.


In the afternoon, there was a round table of sorts. People who had not
presented cases were allowed 3 to 5 minutes to present their situations. It
showed how the multinationals are affecting many more communities. Colombia
is very rich in natural ressources and the multinationals are pouring in.
The country s natural resources which are being sold/given to the world.


The Judges returned at 5 pm and gave their judgement. It is an interim
judgement of sorts since the final report wil only be written in July 2008.
There will be other forum ( foras?) to deal with accusations against the
country in the area of diversity, environment, public service, indigenous
rights and oil. All this information and the decision will be on the WEB
page of the People s Tribunal: www.dhcolombia.info or
www.colombia.indymedia.org


The decision confirmed the role of the Paramilitary , the state and the
military in the murder of the three persons from the Drummond mine. It
confirmed that the Union leaders from Sintraminercol were threatened,
intimidated and are still being persecuted. Many crimes were commited in
Antioquia and Choco. The Paramilitary has a role to play in the advancement
of the multinationals. It confirmed that Cerrejon is having an serious
impact on the lives of the people, in and around the mine. It controls their
land, their health, their culture, their freedom. . People from Bahia
Portete were displaced from their natural port. . People from Sur de Bolivar
were assinated. A mine, Frontino Gold, was privatized and employees did not
get pensions.


In other words, public forces are supporting the multinationals. There is
systemized terror and violation of Human Rights. The Judge went on to say
that the State has a duty to protrect its citizens, to protect human rights.
The State has violated its duties. There is impunity in Colombia. There is
no due process. Violation of Human Rights should be investigated. The
multinational are accomplices. There should not be impunity for crimes
against humanity.


A second judge reitererated the relationship between the transnationals and
the government, that there were displacements of people to make way for
multinationals, that there is persecution of Union leaders, that the
environment is being damaged. The State has a duty to protect its own, to
respect diversity and the help development which benefits the country. The
decision will soon be on the WEB site mentionned above.


We hope that all of us can use this decision to advance our future roles.


Last night there was a meeting with the delegation from La Guijira and
Alirio Uribe, a lawyer from the Human Rights collective, to try to put
together a civil case which might be started against Cerrejon and/or its
constituents in England.


This morning, Sunday, there was another meeting with representatives from
various communities, Unions, social organizations as to what to do next. A
network is being formed.


Going back to La Guijira, all the participants that came with us, 35, seem
ready to try to organize themselves. There is needs for building solidarity
at the ground level. I will encourage the Union to help them.


I am now going to spend the next week with the Sintracarbon Union. Francisco
wants me to meet another Union in Bogota on the 18th.
Apparently, the president of El Cerrejon, Leon T., called the president of
the Union, Jaime D. He had seen what Avi had distributed, i.e.
Sintracarbon's position for negociation, and wanted to know if that was
really their position. El Cerrejon is paying attention to what we are doing
or saying. They are concerned about our actions or their reputation. They
are reading our information.


Believe it or not, this is just a summary of all that is happening. I must
go ON THE ROAD AGAIN. Will write about what the communities are planning the
next time. Sandra has just left for Honduras. She was really appreciated by
everyone.
I will write from Riohacha where I will attend Union meetings.
Cioa.


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