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International protests to mark 'judicial murder' of Ken Saro-Wiwa Renewed opposition in occupied Ogoni to Shell/military collusion International protests and events begin this weekend to mark the judicial murder of Ogoni writer and environmentalist Ken Saro-Wiwa on November 10, 1995 (1). Leader of MOSOP (the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People), Saro-Wiwa was hanged along with eight other political activists for inspiring widespread non-violent protest against Shell's devastating pollution (2). The company was forced to abandon oil production in Ogoni in 1993 (3), after which military attacks on Ogoni communities killed 2000 civilians and made refugees of tens of thousands more. Ogoni is still under occupation and the bodies of the Ogoni Nine have still not been returned to their families. Attempts by Royal Dutch / Shell to re-enter Ogoni to resume oil production against the wishes of the people have been met by rallies and resolutions from Ogoni activists, refugees and supporters internationally (4). The regular raids on Ogoni villages have decreased in recent weeks and the notorious road blocks removed, but the violent Rivers State Internal Security Task Force has not been withdrawn. The welcome release in September 1998 of Ogoni hostages, the 'Ogoni 20' who were held on the same false charges as those which convicted Saro-Wiwa, prompted the President of MOSOP-UK, Bari Kumbe, to say that, "They have left one prison for another." (5) One of the Ogoni 20 is still suffering military harrassment despite his release from custody. For the people of the Niger Delta as a whole, despite limited movement by Nigerian leader Abdusalami Abubaker towards a transition to democracy, little has changed. Oil-producing communities are renewing calls for an end to corporate-backed military repression, poverty and pollution, and for real democratic change. Legitimate discontent and opposition to the on-going activities of transnational oil companies such as Shell and Chevron - who provide up to 90% of the regime's income - and subcontractors such as SAIPEM, has been increasing with protests by communities demanding a return to democracy and compensation for oil spills. Recent disasters such as the explosion at Jesse, which killed over 700 people, are symptomatic of the corruption and negligence which surrounds the oil industry in Nigeria. Apologists for Shell and the regime are using the pretext of the supposed 'transition to democracy' as the latest excuse for pushing to resume business as usual in Ogoni. But within Nigeria and abroad, Ogonis have reasserted that Shell must not be allowed back in. The continuing military presence, the unjust decrees which allow for military control and ownership of resources, the continued use of a military shield by Shell to continue their theft of resources, and the denial of the right to free speech and freedom of assembly, make the political situation far from democratic. Shell's continuing practice of environmental racism gives no reason for the Ogoni people to trust them now, as before: obsolete equipment has still not been replaced as promised, and the pipelines which cross Ogoni still cause blow-outs on to farmlands. Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessments, which require community involvement, have not been performed in Ogoni. Shell is also silent on the UN Resolution calling for an independent environmental survey of the area and for the company to recognise and accept MOSOP as the legitimate voice of the Ogoni people. In fact, the company is refusing to listen or dialogue fairly with MOSOP, and has been trying to split the Ogoni community by negotiating with government-appointed chiefs in order to resume oil production there. Shell is not following OECD guidelines on transnational corporations' activities, particularly regarding bribery, corruption and double standards. Its claims of millions of dollars spent on community projects in the Niger Delta contrast strongly with the reality on the ground, and yet many more millions certainly have been spent on PR propaganda. Bari Kumbe, President of MOSOP-UK, said today from London: "The struggle will continue for environmental and human rights in Ogoni and across the rest of the Niger Delta. Shell and the Nigerian regime must acknowledge their past mistakes and begin treating the Ogoni with respect. Only then will we see a transition to democracy in Nigeria." MOSOP demands to the Nigerian government:
MOSOP demands to Shell:
MOSOP urges the international community not to lift sanctions against the Nigerian regime until full democracy has been restored, and for a continuing boycott of Shell until the company fully respects the Ogoni people's environmental and human rights. For further details please contact Bari Kumbe, MOSOP-UK on tel: 0958 383 794 or 0181 803 2221; or DELTA (News and background on Ogoni, Shell and Nigeria) on tel: 0116 270 9616. NOTES FOR EDITORS: (1) Contact Essential Action on tel: +1 202.387.8030 for details of international protests and events from November 7 - 15 (2) The Ogoni Nine were: Ken Saro-Wiwa, Dr Barinen Kiobel, John Kpuinen, Baribor Bera, Saturday Dobee, Felix Nuate, Nordu Eawoh, Paul Levurah, and Daniel Gbokoo (3) The Ogonis are one of the few indigenous communities in the world to have forced a transnational corporation from their land by concerted and sustained non-violent direct action (4) MOSOP units such as the Federation of Ogoni Women's Associations, youth activists NYCOP and others in Nigeria and abroad, supported by many NGO's worldwide, are demanding that Shell stays out for good (5) The Ogoni 20 are: Nyieda Nleidi Nasikpo, Sampson Ntignee, Nwinbari Abere Papah, Samuel B. Asiga, Paul D. Deekor, Popgbara Zor-zor, Friday Gburuma, Adam Kaa, Godwin B. Gbodor, Kagbara Basseeh, Blessing Israel, John Baribere Banatu, Bariture Lebe, Chief Babiina Vizor, Benjamin Kabari, Taaghalobari K. Monsi, Ngbaa Baovi, Baribuma Kumanwee, Michael Kagbara Doghala, Kale Beete. Another prisoner, Daughter Delosi, was also released. Michael Doghala is still being harrassed by the military. DELTA: News and background on Ogoni, Shell and Nigeria Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) Nigeria, 27 Odu Street,
Ogbunabali, Port Harcourt, Nigeria: MOSOP International secretariat: e-mail: mosop@gn.apc.org Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club |
