BP out millions to Colombian farmers (terrorism by Colombian paramilitary)

[Judi Lynn]

22 July 2006 16:39
BP pays out millions to Colombian farmers
By Robert Verkaik, Legal Affairs Correspondent
Published: 22 July 2006

A group of Colombian farmers has won a multimillion pound settlement from BP after the British oil and gas company was accused of benefiting from a regime of terror carried out by Colombian government paramilitaries to protect a 450-mile pipeline.

Many of the 1,000 farmers and their family members who worked on 52 farms affected by the development, say they have been since been forced to live in destitution in the surrounding towns.

They alleged that BP benefited from harassment and intimidation meted out by Colombian paramilitaries employed by the government to guard the pipeline. It was never alleged that BP had any involvement in any of the paramilitaries' activities.
(snip)

Colombian lawyers who tried to help the farmers claimed they faced intimidation by local paramilitary groups. Marta Hinestroza, one of the farmers' lawyers, fled Colombia for Britain when she discovered that her name was on a paramilitary hit list. In November 2002, the Home Office granted Ms Hinestroza political asylum after she told of the threats she faced while working in the region.
(snip/...)

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article1190528.ece

[dipsydoodle]

1. Hopefuly the same settlements

will eventually be paid out by BP to Georgian farmers and peasants for the harrassment they have suffered.

Go here and scroll down to BBC Storeyville, part two - The Pipeline http://www.thedossier.ukonline.co.uk/video_cover-ups.htm

[NorthernSun]

2. Must be taking lessons from Coca Cola

A British company working with terrorists? Who would have thunk it!

[w4rma]

3. BP said "Do *whatever* it takes, just don't tell us exactly what it took".

It's easy to know what it took, all you have to do is watch the Columbian news for recent assassinations. And BP executives and owners pretend they weren't involved all the while they prodded and paid the right-wing militarists.