Colombia, facing the impact of coal mining
The more than 130 families in the community of Hatillo, located in the municipality of El Paso (Department of Cesar, Colombia), face the violation of their human rights, especially of their right to adequate food and nutrition, as well as to health, land and territory.
The region and surrounding areas, which provided the livelihoods to the community, are the subject of coal mining exploitation by three large transnational companies. The corporations have not complied with the resettlement of the community, surrounded by mines, which was ordained in 2010 for a period of two years, by the Colombian state.
Today, the community has the support of several human rights organizations, including FIAN International, in a process that seeks to guarantee human rights and that the Colombian state and the companies meet their obligations. Involved organizations are supporting the community in their justified claim to carry out the resettlement, as decided in 2010. This must be done promptly, meeting the aspirations and needs of the community.
A recent video, produced by FIAN Colombia, looks into this issue, and tells the impact of coal mining exploitation on the lives of the affected families, as well as the current status of the case.