ASSASSINATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGNERS IN COLOMBIA

Early day motion 746, tabled 18 November 2013 by John McDonnell (Labour). Signed by 36 members.

That this House expresses its condolences to the family and friends of small-scale campesino farmer and community leader César García, who was gunned down in Cajamarca, Colombia, on 2 November 2013; notes that César was a leading figure in the campaign against the London-listed AngloGold Ashanti La Colosa open pit gold mining project, which many fear will have devastating environmental, social and economic consequences in the region; further expresses its condolences to the family and friends of Adelinda Gómez Gaviria, assassinated on 30 September 2013 in Almaguer, Colombia, in front of her 16 year-old son who was also injured in the attack; further notes that Adelinda was an active campaigner against mining in an area where AngloGold Ashanti has important business interests; further expresses concern about these crimes; calls on the Colombian authorities to carry out prompt, rigorous and independent investigations to identify the perpetrators of these crimes; and requests that other community leaders and environmental campaigners receive adequate protection so that they can peacefully exercise their democratic rights.

Signatures by party: Labour 20, Liberal Democrat 3, Plaid Cymru 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Independent 2, Alliance 1, Conservative 1, DUP 1, Green 1, Scottish National Party 1.