COLOMBIA: The Body Shop terminates trading relationship with Daabon—a great step forward for the people of Las Pavas

Almost a year has past since the campaign to pressure The Body Shop to publicly end its business relationship with Daabon began.  Last week, The Body Shop announced on its website, “…since a systemic and long-lasting solution is no nearer to being reached despite our engagement, The Body Shop has formally terminated its trading relationship with Daabon.”  (See http://www.thebodyshop.com/_en/_ww/services/pdfs/AboutUs/Sourcing_Palm_Oil.pdf)  

 “This is a great step forward because it will send a clear message to companies who commit abuses that they will lose business.  The struggle continues because the families still remain off of their land,” said Banesa Estrada, lawyer for the Las Pavas community.  

 “This is a step that shows what we have said is true and a move towards justice,” said a leader of the Las Pavas community.

 The Las Pavas community and CPT would like to thank all of you who responded to our calls to action by writing letters and making calls to The Body Shop.  We also want to recognize the people who held public actions in front of The Body Shop stores, including those who were arrested in the effort to pressure The Body Shop to end its relationship with Daabon

 CPT recognizes and affirms The Body Shop in taking this positive action and we urge The Body Shop to continue pressuring Daabon to return the land to the 123 families evicted on 14 July 2009. 

 CPT Colombia will be meeting with the community and its allies to discuss further strategies in the campaign for their return, so be ready for further calls to action.  The struggle for the families of Las Pavas ends when they return to their land and Daabon makes reparations for the damages caused. 

 For background on the Las Pavas case, see links below:

 CPTnet 21 May 2009 COLOMBIA: Campesinos threatened with displacement by Biofuel Palm Industry

 CPTnet: 18 July 2009 COLOMBIA URGENT ACTION: Ask Colombian government to guarantee safe return to the families of Las Pavas

 CPTnet: 29 July 2009 COLOMBIA URGENT ACTION: Further intervention on behalf of the Las Pavas families needed

 CPTnet: 7 November 2009 COLOMBIA ANALYSIS: "Green Revolution" turns the color of blood and fire in Colombia

 CPTnet 9 January 2009 CHICAGO: Tainted gifts returned to The Body Shop

 CPTnet 26 February 2010 COLOMBIA: CPT holds Ash Wednesday witness at INCODER headquarters in Bogota