Law School lecture marks launch of new justice society - 19 October 6.00pm in CCE 003

Northumbria Law School has chosen a public lecture dealing with allegations of crimes committed by big oil companies to announce the launch of its new Global Access to Justice Society.

The lecture will be held at the Law School on 19 October in conjunction with Colombian Caravana UK Lawyers' Group – a UK-based charity that supports human rights lawyers in South America. It is being hosted on behalf of the Oil Justice Project – a collaboration between global poverty campaign group War on Want, law firm Deighton Pierce Glynn and the Colombian NGO COS-PACC.

The aim of the Oil Justice Project is to tell the stories of the victims of ‘Big Oil’ and where corporate crimes have been committed to hold these companies to account. To highlight the human rights abuses in Colombia the speakers will include Gilberto Torres (Former trade unionist with Union Sindical Obrera in Colombia), Francisco Ramirez Cuellar (trade unionist and lawyer with the Colombian Unified Trade Union Federation), and Tom Lebert (Senior Programme Officer, Resources and Conflict, War on Want).

James Gray, Principal Law Lecturer at Northumbria Law School, said: “Our students have a strong track record of supporting human rights groups and those working for access to justice in the UK and internationally. It enhances their learning with practical experience, and can give them a huge sense of personal achievement and confidence. Launching the Global Access to Justice Society at this lecture reflects the high value we place on these opportunities. I would also urge anyone with an interest in protecting human rights and access to justice to attend the lecture.”s of ‘Big Oil’ and where corporate crimes have been committed to hold these companies to account. To highlight the human rights abuses in Colombia the speakers will include Gilberto Torres (Former trade unionist with Union Sindical Obrera in Colombia), Francisco Ramirez Cuellar (trade unionist and lawyer with the Colombian Unified Trade Union Federation), and Tom Lebert (Senior Programme Officer, Resources and Conflict, War on Want).

Gilberto Torres is a former trade unionist, representing workers in the oil industry. He was abducted and tortured by paramilitaries in 1992 and now lives in exile. Gilberto believes his abduction was ordered and assisted by Ocensa, a joint venture pipeline company part-owned and operated by BP. Gilberto is bringing a case for compensation against BP and other oil companies in the High Court in London with the help of law firm Deighton Pierce Glynn (DPG) in the UK and Francisco Ramirez Cuellar in Colombia.

Francisco Ramirez Cuellar is a trade unionist and lawyer with the Colombian Unified Trade Union Federation. He has been targeted and threatened because of his legal and campaigning work challenging multinationals who have committed serious environmental and human right abuses in Colombia.

The Global Access to Justice Society is a new Law School society that seeks to increase awareness of justice problems around the world.  In addition to speaker events, the society will work with external organisations to develop opportunities for Northumbria law students to work on access to justice projects both in the UK and abroad.  Please contact terri.otieno@northumbria.ac.uk for further details asap.