Headlines on Colombia often feature the internal conflict between the State and several outlaw groups which has been raging for over 40 years. They also focus on the issues of drug production and trafficking, violent street crime, kidnappings and human rights abuses. It is in this environment that the Colombian government and others are working to strengthen the rule of law and all aspects of the judicial system. This includes support for effective investigations and faster movement of cases through the judicial process, thereby ensuring that all will have access to justice, regardless of geographic location or income.
BP has had a continuous presence in Colombia since 1987 and we are now one of the nations’ largest foreign investors. Our business is located primarily in Bogota, the nation’s capital and in Casanare department, an eastern province about 200 kilometers from the capital.
Casanare is not an easy environment in which to operate a business – outlawed military groups are permanently based in the province’s foothills and grassy plains and guerilla groups have historically targeted foreign oil companies.
A justice study commissioned by BP in 2001 recommended that the establishment of a 'House of Justice and Peace' would be an important step in strengthening the rule of law in Casanare. This will now be built and established in Yopal, the capital of Casanare, in 2003.
The House of Justice and Peace is a national programme aimed at increasing community access to justice. Founded in 1994, it is supported by both the Colombian and US governments, but with limits to its funding, the programme can only select a small number of projects to pursue in any one year. Although in March 2002 the Mayor of Yopal requested that his municipality be included in the 2003 programme, this was denied since Yopal did not fit all of the criteria. In November 2002, BP decided to pursue this initiative again. Following discussions with the mayor's office, officials from the Ministry of Justice and the programme contractor, the Viceminister of Justice recognised the importance of Casanare and, given BP's support, she recommended that Yopal be chosen for the 2003 program.
The benefits of the programme include:
- The construction of a building to house the offices of judicial and social services, enabling easy access for ordinary citizens
- An increase in the number of judicial and social service officials all trained in conflict resolution, particularly relating to domestic violence, a serious problem in Casanare
- Speedier resolution of conflicts through conciliation routes rather than through the legal system
Together with other companies, BP is also supporting this venture by equipping the house with computers, desks, phones, photocopiers and other office equipment.