Oil Justice Now in Colombia

Big oil companies are devastating communities across the world. Their operations have forced people from their land, polluted the environment, and led to widespread human rights violations. This has certainly been the case with BP and other oil companies who started operating in the Casanare region of Colombia in the early 1990’s. There is evidence of kidnapping, torture, murder and disappearances. According to the Colombia Human Rights Data Analysis Group, an estimated 9,000 people were murdered and 3,000 have disappeared in Casanare over the past two decades.

One of those kidnapped was Gilberto Torres, who is bringing a case for compensation against BP and other oil companies in the High Court in London with the help of law firm Deighton Pierce Glynn (DPG) in the UK and Francisco Ramirez Cuellar in Colombia.

The aim of the Oil Justice Project - a collaboration between War on Want, Deighton Pierce Glynn and the Colombian NGO COSPACC - is to tell the stories of the victims of ‘Big Oil’ and where corporate crimes have been committed to hold these companies to account. To highlight the human rights abuses in Colombia, the Oil Justice Project is welcoming Gilberto Torres and Francisco Ramirez Cuellar on a UK-wide speaker tour from 11 - 23 October 2015.

Gilberto Torres is a former trade unionist with Union Sindical Obrera, representing workers in the oil industry. He was abducted and tortured by paramilitaries in 1992 and now lives in exile. Gilberto believes his abduction was ordered and assisted by Ocensa, a joint venture pipeline company part-owned and operated by BP. Francisco Ramirez Cuellar is a trade unionist and lawyer with the Colombian Unified Trade Union Federation. He has been targeted and threatened because of his legal and campaigning work challenging multinationals who have committed serious environmental and human right abuses in Colombia.

As part of this speaker tour the following events have been planned:

1. Speaking Engagement and Cultural Event - London (12 October)

Venue: Unite House, 128 Theobalds Road, Holborn, WC1X 8TN

Time: 6 – 9pm

Both Gilberto Torres (Former trade unionist with Union Sindical Obrera in Colombia) and Francisco Ramirez Cuellar (trade unionist and lawyer with the Colombian Unified Trade Union Federation) will speak at this event. The book In the Time of the Bullet and the Salamander by Vladimir Carillo Rozo, which tells the story of the abduction of Gilberto Torres by rightwing paramilitaries, will also be launched. This will be followed with live entertainment by Expresión Inka and a chance to socialise with the speakers.

This event is being organised in partnership with Movimiento Jaguar Despierto and the Colombia Solidarity Campaign.

Book a place for this event here

Public Speaking Event - Brighton (14 October)

Venue: University of Sussex (Details of venue to be confirmed)

Time: 5:30 - 8:00pm

Speakers at this event will include Gilberto Torres (Former trade unionist with Union Sindical Obrera in Colombia), Francisco Ramirez Cuellar (trade unionist and lawyer with the Colombian Unified Trade Union Federation), Dr Lara Montesinos Coleman (University of Sussex) and Tom Lebert (Senior Programme Officer, Resources and Conflict, War on Want)

This event is being organised in collaboration with the Centre for Conflict and Security Research and the Centre for Global Political Economy at the University of Sussex.

Public Speaking Event - Oxford (15 October)

Venue: Okinaga Room, Wadham College, Oxford University

Time: 7:30pm

Speakers at this event will include Sue Wilman (Human Rights Lawyer, Deighton Pierce Glynn), Gilberto Torres (Former trade unionist with Union Sindical Obrera in Colombia), Dr Lara Montesinos Coleman (University of Sussex), and Francisco Ramirez Cuellar (trade unionist and lawyer with the Colombian Unified Trade Union Federation)

Public Speaking Event - Bristol (16 October)

Venue: Peel Lecture Theatre, Department of Geographical Sciences, University Road, Bristol, BS8 1SS

Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm

Speakers at this event will include Dan Carey (Human Rights Lawyer, Deighton Pierce Glynn), Gilberto Torres (Former trade unionist with Union Sindical Obrera in Colombia), Francisco Ramirez Cuellar (trade unionist and lawyer with the Colombian Unified Trade Union Federation), and Dr Lara Montesinos Coleman (University of Sussex).

Speaking Engagement and Cultural Event - Cardiff (17 October)

Venue: Temple of Peace, Kind Edward VII Avenue, Cathays Park, CF10 3AP

Time: 6pm

Speakers will include Gilberto Torres (Former trade unionist with Union Sindical Obrera in Colombia) and Francisco Ramirez Cuellar (trade unionist and lawyer with the Colombian Unified Trade Union Federation). This will be followed by live entertainment and an opportunity to socialise with the speakers.

Public Speaking Event - Newcastle (19 October)

Venue: Northumbria University, City Campus East 003

Time: 6 - 7:30pm

Speakers will include Gilberto Torres (Former trade unionist with Union Sindical Obrera in Colombia), Francisco Ramirez Cuellar (trade unionist and lawyer with the Colombian Unified Trade Union Federation), and Tom Lebert (Senior Programme Officer, Resources and Conflict, War on Want). Presentations will be followed by refreshments and a chance to socialise with the speakers.

Public Speaking Event - Edinburgh (20 October)

Venue: City of Edinburgh Methodist Church, 25 Nicolson Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9BX

Time: 7:15 for 7:30pm

Speakers will include Gilberto Torres (Former trade unionist with Union Sindical Obrera in Colombia) and Francisco Ramirez Cuellar (trade unionist and lawyer with the Colombian Unified Trade Union Federation).

Book a place for this event here

Public Speaking Event - Cambridge (21 October)

Venue: Department of Criminology, Cambridge University

Time: 5 - 7pm

Speakers will include Gilberto Torres (Former trade unionist with Union Sindical Obrera in Colombia), Francisco Ramirez Cuellar (trade unionist and lawyer with the Colombian Unified Trade Union Federation), Peter Drury of Amnesty International, Juan Small (PhD candidate, Institute of the Americas, University College London), and Sue Willman (Human Rights Lawyer, Deighton Pierce Glynn).

Public Speaking Event - London (22 October)

Venue: Drama Studio, Institute of Education, 20 Bedford Way, London, WC1H 0AL

Time: 6 – 8.30pm

Speakers at this event will include Natalie Bennett (Leader of the Green Party), Gilberto Torres (Former trade unionist with Union Sindical Obrera in Colombia), Francisco Ramirez (trade unionist and lawyer with the Colombian Unified Trade Union Federation), Danilo Urrea (CENSAT Agua Viva / Friends of the Earth Colombia), and Dr Lara Montesinos Coleman (University of Sussex).

This event is being organised in partnership with the London Mining Network and the Colombia Solidarity Campaign.

Book a place for this event  here

Fundraising Event - London (23 October)

Venue: Garden Court Chambers, 57-60 Lincolns Inn Field, WC2A 3LJ

Time: 6:30pm

The evening will include a drinks reception and Sri lankan dinner. Speakers at the event will include Michael Gillard (journalist - formerly with the Sunday Times), Gilberto Torres (Former trade unionist with Union Sindical Obrera in Colombia), and Sue Willman (Deighton Pierce Glynn - lawyer for Gilberto Torres). There will also be a live performance by the Colombian mezzosoprano Rubiela Hernández Atehortúa.

Tickets for this event are available at £20 per person. Book here

This speaker tour has been made possible with the generous support of the Burdon & Blockley Memorial Fund