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Responding to the Nigerian Tragedy See also Sierra Club Board of Directors Resolution The Nov. 10, 1995 execution of Nigerian environmentalist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other citizen activists, stunned environmental and human rights advocates across America. We were outraged that a multinational oil company could be allowed to develop so close a tie to such a brutal military regime while repeatedly denying responsibility for its shocking pollution. Americans were additionally outraged that the Nigerian government could completely ignore international calls for amnesty. The last international environmental incident that so mobilized U.S. citizens to respond followed the murder of Brazilian rubber tapper and rain forest advocate Chico Mendes. Like Chico Mendes, Ken Saro-Wiwa has become an environmental martyr. While Chico Mendes fought against the effect that consumption of forest products was having on the rain forests, Ken Saro-Wiwa fought the end results of a world addicted to oil -- and a government that would stop at nothing to make sure that oil revenues were not interrupted. Ken Saro-Wiwa has become a tragic symbol of our addiction. On Nov. 19, 1995 the Sierra Club Board of Directors responded to this tragedy. The Board condemned Nigeria and unanimously endorsed a number of actions in order to force a change in that country. The Board of Directors approved a Sierra Club boycott of Royal Dutch Shell and it's subsidiaries -- including Shell Oil in the U.S., and announced support for an international embargo of Nigerian oil. (The full text of the board action follows after the Letter to the Editor.) The U.S. Senate has also taken action. Sen. Nancy Kassebaum (R-KS), with Senators Leahy, Feingold, Jeffords, Simon, Pell, Wellstone, McCain, and Gregg, introduced S. 1419, a bill "To Impose Sanctions Against Nigeria." It closely follows the actions endorsed by the Sierra Club board. Among other things, the bill calls for an embargo on the sale or distribution of any crude oil or refined petroleum product from Nigeria, the prohibition of new investment in Nigeria, the freezing of Nigerian assets, and for banning Nigeria's participation in the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. The Sierra Club refuses to allow the crusade of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the other Ogoni activists to quietly fade away. On the contrary, we intend to fan the flames. Our goal is to make sure that every American boycotts Shell Oil until the company has taken responsibility for its actions. Our goal is to send a message to the Nigerian government that citizens have a right to speak freely, the right to assemble, and the right to a clean and healthy environment. Our goal is for multinational companies to stop preying on developing countries and start following international codes of conduct. We encourage your participation in our campaign to restore environmental rights in Nigeria and a conscience to Shell Oil. In the coming weeks and months you'll be hearing more about the activities we have planned and your opportunities for involvement, so stay tuned. Actions
From the beginning, Shell U.S. has denied any responsibility in Nigeria. They have tried to hide behind the company's diversification. The fact is, both Shell U.S. and Shell Nigeria have the same parent company, the Netherlands-based Royal Dutch Shell. The fact is, nearly 50% of the oil Nigeria exports is distributed in the U.S. -- by Shell Oil. The fact is, the Chairman of the Board of Shell U.S. is Mr. C.A.J. Herkstroter, the President of Royal Dutch Shell. There is a direct connection -- at the gas pump. Write to you Senator. Urge their support for S. 1419, a bill to impose sanctions against Nigeria. The U.S. must show the rest of the world that we will not give financial support to brutal military regimes. For more information including a copy of S. 1419, contact: Stephen Mills, Human Rights and Environment Campaign Director, Sierra Club, 408 C St., NE, Washington, DC 20002 (202) 675-6691. stephen.mills@sierraclub.org Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club |
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Write to the President of
Shell Oil Company, Philip J. Carroll, P.O. Box 2463, Houston, TX 77252. Fax: (713)
241-4044. Tel: (800) 248-4257. Tell the company that you will be boycotting their products
until they clean up their environmental mess in Nigeria and compensate to the Ogoni people
for past damage.