New report: memory, truth and justice for heroes in the resistance against mining oil and gas

10 November 2011 – Today, on the 16th anniversary of the murder of Nigerian writer Ken Saro-Wiwa – a day of remembrance of the victims of mining, oil and gas – Friends of the Earth International releases a new report and renews its commitment to the struggle for justice for the communities who suffer the consequences of extractive industries.

The new report [1], released on November 10, is entitled ‘Memory, Truth and Justice for Heroes in the Resistance against Mining Oil and Gas’ and exposes the murders of many human rights and environmental activists all over the world for defending their rights and natural resources.

Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni leaders were executed on 10 November 1995 for speaking out against the impact of Shell and other oil companies in the Niger Delta.

Nnimmo Bassey, the chair of Friends of the Earth International, from Nigeria, said:

“Ken Saro-Wiwa was a hero who died because of the world’s addiction to fossil fuels. His words still ring true in our ears today. This is why we set November 10 as a day of remembrance of the victims of mining, oil and gas. We demand that those who have orchestrated the murder of people for the sake of profits should be held to account. We also demand environmental justice and an end to fossil fuels: be it crude, tar sands or coal.”

Romel de Vera, coordinator of the Resisting Mining, Oil and Gas program of Friends of the Earth International, said:

“We condemn the fact that many governments favor and protect the interests of extractive industry corporations instead of the right of communities to land and resources. The list of community rights defenders, environmentalists and social activists killed in the course of their struggle against mining, oil and gas continues to grow even longer. On November 10, remembrance actions are held all over the world to commemorate their heroism and celebrate their lives and struggles, as well as to condemn the culture and cycle of death forced upon us by the extractives industry.”

Natalia Atz Sunuc, coordinator of the Resisting Mining, Oil and Gas program of Friends of the Earth International, said: “Many brothers and sisters have been murdered in Asia, Africa, and the Americas for defending life and their territories. We demand an end to the repression against those who defend life and an end to the criminalization of the people who defend their territories. The work of our heroes shall not be in vain”.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

IN AFRICA

Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director of ERA-Friends of the Earth Nigeria and chair of Friends of the Earth International: nnimmo@eraction.org, +234 803 727 4395 (Nigeria)

IN ASIA

Romel de Vera, coordinator of the Resisting Mining, Oil and Gas program of Friends of the Earth International, meldevera@gmail.com, or Tel +632 92 81 372 (Philippines)

IN LATIN AMERICA

Natalia Atz Sunuc, coordinator of the Resisting Mining, Oil and Gas program of Friends of the Earth International: coordinacion@ceibaguate.org or Tel +502-47815617 (Guatemala)

NOTES

[1] Download report: Memory, truth and justice for heroes in the resistance against mining oil and gas