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Mark · Site Admin Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 1052

Royal Dutch Shell to go to Trial for Complicity in Torture and Murder of Nigerian Protesters

http://www.earthrights.org/content/view/578/41/

Excerpt:

Ken Saro-Wiwa, Jr., the son of Ken Saro-Wiwa, issued the following statement on behalf of his family:

"The family and all those who have had their human rights abused in resource bearing communities are humbled and greatly encouraged by this news. It is a relief that after 12 years we have finally vindicated Ken Saro-Wiwa's insistence that Shell will one day have its day in court. We hope, ultimately, that this will reinforce the message that non-violence and the rule of law are the foundations of true justice, especially at a time when the unacceptable legacy of injustice poses a clear and present danger to lives, the environment and energy security in the Niger Delta and around the globe. We welcome the decision of the judge and would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Center for Constitutional Rights and other people of conscience who have stayed the course."
-------------------

The defendants are charged with complicity in human rights abuses against the Ogoni people in Nigeria, including summary execution, crimes against humanity, torture, inhumane treatment, arbitrary arrest, wrongful death, assault and battery, and infliction of emotional distress. The cases were brought under the Alien Tort Statute (ATS) and the Torture Victim Protection Act (TVPA). The case against Royal Dutch/Shell also alleges that the corporation violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.

Paul B · Facilitator Joined: 24 Oct 2008 Posts: 8

Extract from Earth rights article;

"....Nigeria has been chief among Shell’s assets for many years. Critics charge that with the aim of production at any cost, regardless of the damage to the surrounding people and land, Shell disrupted thousands of lives and wreaked havoc on the environment. In the early 1990’s, the people of Nigeria began to protest. Shell made payments and provided arms to security forces that they knew to be abusive to local communities. The military government violently repressed the demonstrations and arrested and bribed witnesses. Nine leaders of the demonstrations were murdered, including the aforementioned well-known activist and writer, Ken Saro-Wiwa....".

Pinch me..is that"SHELL"as in Shell world oil and petrol/gas suppliers who also like to dump oil rigs in the North Atlantic etc etc and etc!??. Shocked

Mark · Site Admin Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 1052

One and the same, Paul.

Buy CitGo (Venezuelan) if you have to buy petrol. I'm fortunate in not owning a car. I do ride public transport (about twice a week) and I use electricity (averaging $12 a month), but my carbon footprint isn't measurable on any of the tests.

Of course compared to people who live on less than a dollar a day in Nigeria and elsewhere, I'm a zillionaire, so I do try to make donations to compensate for my hoggishness.

Guest · Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 8:43 pm Post subject:

Wow and we got "angry and active" when shell wanted to sink some of their no longer needed oil rigs(a few years ago)in the North Atlantic!!!.
Our electricity is 100% enviroment friendly-solar.wind,water and bio gas.You can choose here in Germany your electricity supplier where ever you live and there is a supplier in the village of"Schonau" in the Black Forest who produces 100%natural electricity.

Here in Heidelberg there exists a private service called "car share"which offers its members for a small yearly fee the use on application of a car(a sort of community rent a car!).The organisers have several cars and with a first come first served basis you can rent a car for a day or day when needed.
ENERGY:
Before the coalition here Germany was/is(?)closing down ALL ATOMIC power stations believe it or not which was the policy of the SPD(German labour/socialist party).Now of course these measures have slowed down with Mrs Merkels (Conservative)coalition government(with the SPD).Still steps are being taken to drop out of the atomic power production here in Germany .England of course has said they will BUILD two NEW atomic power stations because"... thats enviromentaly friendly..."says Gordon Brown(isnt it folks!!!-just dont dig too deep in ten thousand years in the Irish Sea if by then the atomic waste Barrells havent rusted completely!!(Strangely enough though,no the British dont keep their own"enviromental friendly" atomic waste at "home"!!).

Shells image here is very bad and they are up to all sorts of games via the media to improve their image. Twisted Evil

Paul B · Facilitator Joined: 24 Oct 2008 Posts: 8

Ooops sorry forgot to log in and then post!"guest as above is me of course!. Laughing

Mark · Site Admin Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 1052

The losses are permanent. Indigenous tribes and irreplaceable animal species extinct, soil and water polluted, natural resources depleted, radioactive wastes that will remain for millions of years.

The wins are only temporary, and even then they are pitiful. A court awards at the most a few million dollars in damages and penalties to an oil or energy company that has made billions in profits.

We have that car share here also, Paul, but it isn't widely used.

But the electric company is a monopoly, San Diego Gas and Electric. We don't get to choose. And if we did get to choose, it would probably be like our elections where all the choices are lousy. Smilie_PDT