Swedish companies Atlas Copco and Scania are suppliers to the construction of Colombia’s biggest hydroelectric power plant, Hidroituango. Since the project started, the local movement Rios Vivos has reported on severe human rights impacts linked to the construction of the plant, including the forced eviction and lack of compensation to artisanal miners, living and working on the shores of the Cauca river where the project is located. In recent years, the Ríos Vivos movement has experienced an increase in threats and attacks by paramilitary groups.

In March, Isabel Zuleta, the local leader of Ríos Vivos, visited Sweden to talk to companies, politicians and NGO’s, among others Scania and Atlas Copco, to inform them of the new risks. Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited Scania and Atlas Copco to respond to the concerns raised. Their responses are available below; a response by the Colombian company EPM, responsible for the construction of the plant, is available here.