General

"It's the Oil, Stupid" - Public Hearing on BP in Colombia

Saturday, 23 June 2007
10:30 AM - 5:30 PM

The social movement in Colombia has formed a chapter of the Permanent Peoples Tribunal (PPT) and is holding a programme of sector tribunals focusing on multinationals and human rights. The first tribunal on the food and agriculture sector took place in Bogotá 1 and 2 April 2006, a second tribunal on the mining sector has just been held in Medellín on 10 and 11 November 2006. Both these events have brought together popular mobilisation and research to highlight abuses by the relevant multinationals (see reports in Frontline Latin America Nos 4 and 5 respectively).

The PPT will hold a tribunal on the oil and gas sector in Colombia on 3-5 August 2007. This date is important symbolically as it falls on the third anniversary of the assassination of three social movement leaders in Arauca by the army, Arauca is one of the main oil producing areas. The PPT have invited supporting organisations in the home countries of the three biggest corporations Occidental (USA); Repsol YPF (Spain) and BP (UK) to hold preliminary public hearings in the run up to the full tribunal. The Colombia Solidarity Campaign has been asked to convene the preliminary hearing on BP.

Testimonies will be given by witnesses from Colombia (written English translations available) and BP will be invited to present their defence. Delegates are encouraged to contribute with their conclusions to the pre-hearing Declaration.

Location:
Strathclyde University
Graham Hills Building
50 George Street
Glasgow, G1 1QE