press release
friends of the earth international
shell faces community rebellion at its
annual meeting - oil giant's neighbours
demand justice
LONDON (UK) / THE HAGUE (NETHERLANDS) June
27, 2005 - Communities living next door to
the oil giant Shell will be at the company's
annual general meetings (AGM) in London and
the Hague on Tuesday June 28 to protest at
Shell's record of human rights abuses and
environmental damage around the world
[1].
Their cases are illustrated in a new
report launched today June 27 with Friends of
the Earth in the Netherlands and the
UK.[2]
Their protest comes ten years after the
execution of Nigerian writer Ken Saro-Wiwa
and eight others who had all campaigned
against Shell's polluting operations in the
Niger Delta.
Ten years on, communities say that despite
many promises, Shell has done little to
improve the situation for people locally.
Many live with the daily impact of pollution
from refineries, leaking pipelines and oil
spills, which damage their health and the
environment.
"Lessons Not Learned", the third
alternative Shell report, catalogues how
despite commitments made in previous years,
Shell still shows a total disregard for the
environment and the rights of the people
living near its operations in many parts of
the world.
Representatives from the Philippines,
Sakhalin Island, Nigeria, South Africa,
Brazil, Curacao, Ireland and the United
States are travelling to London and the Hague
to raise their concerns in front of
shareholders and directors.
Paul de Clerck, Friends of the Earth
International's corporate campaign
coordinator said: "Shell's environmental
legacy in these communities exposes the
reality behind the company's greenwash. The
Dutch and UK governments should face up to
their responsibilities and make companies
accountable for the damage they do overseas.
If Shell worked in the West with the same
standards it uses in Africa, there would be
an outcry. Companies should stop operating
with double-standards."
Felix Majabague is in London from Manila
in the Philippines where Shell runs an oil
depot in the densely-populated area of
Pandacan. Monitoring by the community has
revealed high levels of toxic gases in the
atmosphere when trucks are being loaded at
the depot. A medical study by the local
university suggested residents were exposed
to toxins which could cause damage to the
nervous system.
Isaak (Asume) Osuoka from Nigeria is in
the Hague. He is working with local
communities in the Niger Delta who, with the
support of Friends of the Earth, are
currently taking legal action against Shell
over gas flaring. General flaring has been
prohibited under Nigerian environmental
regulations since 1984 but Shell continues to
burn gas in the Delta and last month even
announced that it will continue flaring after
the proposed phase out date in 2008. Flaring
releases a cocktail of toxic substances,
including benzene and particulates, exposing
Niger Delta communities to severe health
risks and property damage, as well as
violating their human rights. Eight
communities in the Niger Delta took legal
action last week against Shell to stop gas
flaring.
Monique Harden speaking in the Hague for
the US group Advocates for Environmental
Human Rights said: "These communities have
travelled a long way to seek justice from
Shell. At past meetings, Shell has listened
to their concerns, but has then failed to act
on its promises. Communities deserve to have
their voices heard and their concerns
addressed - Shell hasn't done this. It is
time to hold Shell accountable and force the
company to take action."
Elena Lopukhina is coming to the AGM in
London from Sakhalin Island in the Russian
Far East, where Shell is expanding its
operations with a new offshore gas platform
and pipeline running across the island. Shell
has already been forced to re-route the
pipeline following conservation concerns
about its proximity to the breeding grounds
of the Western Pacific Grey Whale. But
residents on the island are also concerned
about the impact of the pipeline on their
livelihoods. Many depend on fishing, but
pollution from pipeline construction is
contaminating salmon spawning grounds and
damaging the unique habitat of their island.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development is refusing to fund the project
until problems with the environmental impact
of the pipeline's construction are
resolved.
Shell's neighbours will be available for
interviews (full list below).
for more information contact
in the netherlands
Friends of the Earth Netherlands press
office +31-20-5507333 or
Friends of the Earth International, Paul de
Clerck +32-473-510147 (Belgian mobile
number)
in the uk
Friends of the Earth England, Wales and
Northern Ireland press office +44-207-5661649
or
Hannah Griffiths +44-20 7566 1666 (m)
+44-7855 841994
notes to editors
[1] IN LONDON the Shell AGM takes place at
ExCeL, 1 Western Gateway, Royal Victoria
Dock, London, E16 1XL, on Tuesday June 28,
2005 commencing at 11:00
IN THE HAGUE The Shell AGM takes place at
the Circustheater, Circusstraat 4 in the
Hague, on Tuesday June 28, 2005 commencing at
10:30 am
[2] The report is online here:
www.foe.co.uk/resource/reports/lessons_not_learned.pdf
Friends of the Earth in the UK and the
Netherlands will be hosting the following
visitors:
Bobby Peek and Siziwe Kanali, groundwork
(Friends of the Earth), South Africa
Desmond D'Sa and Zakiya Kikia Khan, South
Durban Community Environmental Alliance,
South Africa
Isaak (Asume) Osuoka, Environmental Rights
Action (Friends of the Earth), Nigeria
Patrick Naagbanton, Niger-delta Project for
the Environment, Human Rights and
Development, Nigeria
Felix Majabague and Chito Adofina, United
Front to Oust Oil Depots, the Philippines
Elena Lopukhina, Sakhalin Environment Watch,
Sakhalin Island, Russia
Cesar Augusto Pereira and Valdenir da Cruz
Santos, Coletivo Alternative Verde,
Brazil
Norbert George, Human Care Foundation,
Curacao
Margie Richard and Iris Carter, Concerned
Citizens of Norco, USA
Denny Larson, Global Community Monitor,
USA
Hilton Kelley and Tashica Miles, Community
In-power Development Association, USA
Monique Harden and Nathalie Walker,
Advocates for Environmental Human Rights,
USA
Anne Rolfes, Louisiana Bucket Brigade,
USA
Maura Harrington, Shell to Sea, Ireland
|
