Bogotá, 8 June 2020

CERREJÓN'S COMMENTS ON THE REPORT FROM JOSÉ ALVEAR RESTREPO LAWYERS' COLLECTIVE

TO THE TRUTH COMMISSION

Cerrejón wishes to thank the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC) for the invitation to respond, and to publish our statements, regarding accusations made against Cerrejón by the José Alvear Restrepo Lawyers' Collective (CAJAR) in its report “The Role of Companies in Armed Conflict and Socio-political Violence" presented before the Commission for the Clarification of Truth, Coexistence and Non-repetition.

As we have stated on many occasions, Cerrejón recognises and respects the work of civil society organizations seeking to denounce human rights violations and promote the foundations for a stable and lasting peace, based on serious, truthful and balanced information. We also understand and support the role played by the Truth Commission in clarifying the facts presented in Colombia within the context of the conflict, as well as its contribution to laying the foundations for non-repetition and peace-building in our country.

Nevertheless, in light of the report from the José Alvear Restrepo Collective, Cerrejón would like to express the business perspective on several points that are addressed and which, broadly, question business management in the context of the armed conflict in Colombia…