Problems in the construction of a hydroelectric dam financed in part by Canada led to a flooding disaster in northwestern Colombia in 2018, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of people. Four years later, locals are still suffering the consequences, with no remedy from Canada in sight.
Canadian organizations are calling for full protection measures for human rights defenders who face grave security risks after speaking out against a hydroelectric project financed in part by the Canadian government.
Communities devastated by the Hidroituango dam in Colombia continue to seek accountability from the Canadian government, which financed the project through its export bank. In this letter, we ask the trade minister to ensure that the bank makes reparations and no longer supports such damaging projects.
Human rights advocates are denouncing the Canadian government’s financial support for a disastrous hydroelectric project in Colombia, as a leader from one of the affected communities arrives in Ottawa to meet today with officials at Export Development Canada (EDC) and Global Affairs Canada.
Our latest correspondence with Export Development Canada (EDC) about human rights violations associated with the operations of EDC clients Pacific Exploration & Production and Ecopetrol highlights our longstanding concerns about the adequacy and transparency of the agency’s due diligence practices.
Above Ground, together with international and Colombian human rights groups, is questioning Export Development Canada (EDC) over its financing of two oil companies associated with serious human rights violations in Colombia’s strife-ridden Rubiales and Quifa oilfields.
Above Ground works to ensure that companies based in Canada or supported by the Canadian state respect human rights and the environment worldwide. It is a project of MakeWay, a national charity that builds partnerships and solutions to help nature and communities thrive together.
Above Ground c/o MakeWay
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Vancouver, BC V6B 1H5
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