"Civil Society Speaking Out: Agendas for a Sustainable Peace in Colombia" - November 2014

Business, Human rights and participative democracy...In 2011 the UK and Colombia brought out a joint human rights statement in which important commitments were made on human rights and the security of human rights defenders. In addition, the UK and Colombia made commitments to ensure that the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights were implemented...According to the Comptroller General's Report, a major issue that threatens the possibility of victims recovering their land is the exclusionary nature of the Colombian Government's policies on trade and development. These policies are focussed on promoting 'mega-projects'...The UK ratifying a Bi-lateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with Colombia contradicts their policies on business and human rights...Magistrates have started to encounter mining concessions on territory belonging to victims of the conflict in Colombia. One such case is that of the indigenous Emberá Katío resguardo in Alto Andágueda, Chocó...The Court order included suspending the mining concessions granted in their territory (resguardo); this included to British registered Anglo-Gold Ashanti, and to halt the issuing of any further concessions requested by other companies, including the British registered company AngloAmerican.