Espacio Bristol Colombia

HOMEPAGE / NEWS

Espacio Bristol-Colombia is collective of people based in Bristol (England) and beyond, who are working in solidarity with Colombian social activists, communities and human rights defenders, who face threats, murder and imprisonment as a result of their struggles for another possible world. We are part of the Red de Hermandad y Solidaridad con Colombia (Network of Friendship and Solidarity with Colombia), a space for coordination between various Colombian and international groups.

We invite people who would like to help with organizing events, actions and creative projects or who would like to volunteer in Colombia accompanying organizations and communities to get involved.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE: On our Videos page you'll find a new film, Still Standing, by Sean Patterson and Sheena Sumaria. Set in a slum of Medellin, Colombia, this documentary takes the viewer on a intimate journey into the everyday lives of two marginalised people, their fears, hopes and dreams in the face of unforgiving obstacles and dangers, and their own attempts to come to terms with their lives at this major crossroads. It is a story which is retold in countless forms by millions of Colombians that must face the daily reality of poverty, social exclusion and violence.

Colombian News

Workers for BP and communities in the department of Casanare, Colombia have been mobilising since 23 January, demanding that BP addresses serious issues around labour conditions, social investment, goods and services, the environment and human rights. Workers were forced to go on strike after BP reneged on the agreements they had made with the workers. After more than a week on strike, during which workers and community members were attacked by the riot police and the town mobilised in response on mass, BP was forced to negotiate, after stating that it was company policy to not negotiate under pressure. The outcome of this negotiation was to set up five working groups on the five key themes which will negotiate from the 24rd March to the 23rd April.

Meetings to discuss the setup, agendas and participation in these working groups have been difficult and bogged down. However community leaders have not sat back and have been busy visiting all the hamlets, villages and other towns explaining the situation and the historic opportunity for the Casanarean people to reclaim their universal rights, dignity and seriously challenge the power that BP wield over the region.

Below are the powerful and expressive press releases written by USO (National Oil Workers Union) and COSPACC (Casanarean community capacity building organisation) and an article by Espacio member who accompanied the mobilisations.

No.7 07/03/10
Popular assembly to continue collectively deciding on what demands will be during negotiations that begin on the 23rd March.
No.5 05/03/10
BP attempts to control participation in initial meetings and walks out of meeting.
No.4 24/02/10
BP caves in and meets with Strike reps
No.2 (Spanish only) 23/02/10
No.1 (Spanish only) 19/02/10

Is a murder needed for BP to negotiate? Blog article 20/02/10

Monthly Newsletter from the Solidarity Network
A six month project putting together a monthly newsletter which contained a look at the current national situation, information from Colombian organisations that are part of the Red de Hermandad and articles by internationals working with La red in Colombia.

RedHer News Bulletin No.6Dec09
RedHer News Bulletin No.5Oct09
RedHer News Bulletin No.4Sept09
RedHer News Bulletin No.3Aug09
RedHer News Bulletin No.2July09
RedHer News Bulletin No.1 June09

Para leerlos en español clic acá