The Colombian state must take urgent action to provide assistance to all those affected by the predictable flooding caused by the Hidroituango hydroelectric project. Thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes and must be provided with assistance without delay
In response to the displacement of thousands of people in the department of Antioquia due to flooding caused by the Hidroituango hydroelectric project, Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas Director at Amnesty International said:
“The Colombian state must take urgent action to provide assistance to all those affected by the predictable flooding caused by the Hidroituango hydroelectric project. Thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes and must be provided with assistance without delay.”
“In addition, the authorities must ensure that the killings of the brave human rights defenders who denounced the environmental damages related to this project do not go unpunished.”
On 22 May, Amnesty International signed a letter together with the International Office for Human Rights Action on Colombia (OIDHACO) and 22 international civil society organizations expressing their extreme concern before the institutions of the European Union over the situation faced by those affected by the Hidroituango project and the Ríos Vivos Movement in Antioquia.
Further information:
Colombia: Authorities must investigate killings of community leaders and take urgent action to protect human rights defenders (News, 11 May 2018)
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2018/05/colombia-authorities-must-investigate-killings-of-community-leaders-and-take-urgent-action-to-protect-human-rights-defenders/
Colombia: Yet another environmental defender killed (Campaigns, 10 May 2018)
https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/amr23/8384/2018/en/
Colombia: Environmental defender killed, others at risk: Hugo Albeiro George Pérez (Campaigns, 7 May 2018)
https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/amr23/8360/2018/en/
