STATEMENT OF THE TOLIMA NETWORK OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEES TO NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC OPINION

Source: http://justiciaambientalcolombia.org/2015/10/05/comunicado-la-colosa/
(Translated by Colin Kluender, CSN Volunteer Translator)

We continue relating the press statements sent out by the Tolima Network of Environmental Committees. The content is of the source; the Network is not affiliated with us [Environmental Justice].

Pope Francis and several socio-environmental authorities argue that environmental protection and an end to the war are both necessary for Colombians to live decent lives.  Meanwhile, the government of Juan Manuel Santos carries out mining projects in various areas of the Colombian territory that threaten human rights and the socio-natural stability of the communities.

As an alternative to the ever-growing encroachments, the environmental movement of the Department of Tolima is implementing a territorial defense process that is pacifistic, nonviolent, artistic, playful, creative and participatory, that reflects and expounds the rejection of polluting mining projects such as La Colosa in Cajamarca-Tolima (property of Anglogold Ashanti).

The environmental movement of Tolima rejects that in Colombia, a social state of right, the particular rights of mining companies are being prioritized over the collective rights to citizen involvement, as well as to healthy life, water, and environment.

Within the framework of this context we communicated that:

  1. September 30th, 2015, the Tolima Environmental Committee in Defense of Life, the Socio-Environmental Youth Group of Cajamarca (COSAJUCA), the Peasant’s Union, the Peasant Awareness Board, and the Association of Agroecological Producers of the River Basin of the Anaime River (APACRA) received a letter signed by the Black Eagles in which they threaten the integrity of some of its members.
  2. We recall that at the end of June and July of 2015 there were several threats to members of the Tolima Network of Environmental Committees.
  3. Employees of Anglogold Ashanti Colombia stigmatized Anaime-Cajamarca campesinos who were on the citizen board convened on February 22, 2013, by Cortolima, to reject La Colosa (a controversial super-mining project).

 
Demands:

  1. We demand that the Colombian state guarantee the integrity of the members of the Network of Environmental Committees.
  2. We demand that the institutions of the State investigate and clarify the facts.
  3. We demand that the Colombian state grant the necessary protective measures to guarantee the work, integrity and reputation of the defenders of water, life and territory.

 

Note: Please send your notes of support to:

JUAN MANUEL SANTOS CALDERÓN – President of the Republic
Carrera 8 No. 7 -26 Palacio de Cauca Bogotá
Fax: 5662071 Fax: (+571) 566.20.71
Email: comunicacionesvp@presidencia.gov.co

Secretary of Defense
Avenida El dorado con carrera 52 CAN Bogotá, D.C.
Email: siden@mindefensa.gov.co, infprotocol@mindefensa.gov.co, mdn@cable.net.co

JUAN FERNANDO CRISTO. – Secretary of the Interior
Carrera 9a. No. 14-10 – Bogotá, D.C.
Email: ministro@minjusticia.gov.co
PBX (+57) 444 31 00 Ext. 1820

LUIS EDUARDO MONTEALEGRE – Attroney General of the Nation
Diagonal 22B No. 52-01  – Bogotá, D.C.
Phone: 570 20 00 – 414 90 00
Email: contacto@fiscalia.gov.co, denuncie@fiscalia.gov.co

JORGE ARMANDO OTALORA – Public Advocate
Calle 55 # 10-32, Bogotá
Fax: (+571) 640.04.91
Email: secretaria_privada@hotmail.com, agenda@agenda.gov.co, defensoria@defensoria.org.co

ALEJANDRO ORDOÑEZ MALDONADO – Attroney General of the Nation
Cra. 5 No.15 – 80F Bogotá D.C.
Email: anticorrupción@presidencia.gov.co, reygon@procuraduría.gov.co

Colombia – Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights
Calle 114 No. 9-45 Torre B Oficina 1101 Edificio TeleportBussines Park – Bogotá, Colombia
Phone: PBX (57-1) 629 3636 (57-1) 629 3636
Fax : (57-1) 629 3637
Email: oacnudh@hchr.org.co

 

This entry was posted in News and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.