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Article

13 Oct 2015

Author:
RT

Kidnapped Colombian trade unionist suing BP for complicity calls for laws to prosecute human rights abuses committed by UK corporations

"Tortured Colombian trade unionist confronts BP over human rights abuses", 12 Oct 2015

A Colombian trade unionist who was kidnapped and tortured by paramilitaries was joined by activists on Sunday to protest against oil giant BP's alleged involvement in human rights abuses. Campaigners from Oil Justice Now teamed up with Gilberto Torres to stage a performance protest in the BP-sponsored British Museum. Torres is currently suing BP in the British courts for involvement in his 42-day kidnapping in 2002. He believes his abduction was ordered by Ocensa, a joint-venture pipeline company that was part-owned by BP. [BP denies the allegations] The Colombian engineer and trade union leader is visiting the UK on a two-week tour to raise awareness and funds for his lawsuit...Torres said he has faith the British justice system will rule in his favor, but he urged the public to campaign for laws that prosecute human rights violations committed by UK corporations...Sue Willman, of lawyers Deighton Pierce, said: "He and his community face huge barriers in accessing justice. We hope his courage and the Oil Justice initiative will be a small step in breaking down those barriers, and changing the behavior of corporations..."...

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