Secret papers 'show how Shell targeted Nigeria oil protests'

[cal04]

Source: The Independent

Documents seen by The IoS support claims energy giant enlisted help of country's military government

Serious questions over Shell Oil's alleged involvement in human rights abuses in Nigeria emerged last night after confidential internal documents and court statements revealed how the energy giant enlisted the help of the country's brutal former military government to deal with protesters.

The documents, seen by the IoS, support allegations that Shell helped to provide Nigerian police and military with logistical support, and aided security sweeps of the oil-rich Niger Delta. Earlier this month Shell agreed to pay $15.5m (£9.6m) in a "humanitarian settlement" on the eve of a highly embarrassing US lawsuit.

One of the allegations was that Shell was complicit in the regime's execution of civilians. The Anglo-Dutch firm denies any wrongdoing and said it settled to help "reconciliation". But the documents contain detailed allegations of the extent to which Shell is said to have co-opted the Nigerian military to protect its interests.

The legal settlement came 14 years after the Abacha government hanged nine protesters, including Ken Saro-Wiwa, the environmentalist and writer, after a charade of a trial in 1995. Saro-Wiwa led a successful campaign against Shell in his Niger Delta homeland, even forcing the company to quit Ogoniland in 1993. The campaign focused on environmental devastation and demanded a greater share of oil revenues for his community. As the campaign grew, the Ogoni suffered a brutal backlash that left an estimated 2,000 dead and 30,000 homeless. The documents claim there was systematic collusion with the military and Mobile Police Force (MPF), known as the "Kill and Go". Shell has always denied this but is believed to have settled in court as a result of the embarrassing contents.

Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/secret-papers-show-how-shell-targeted-nigeria-oil-protests-1704812.html

[dipsydoodle]

1. Just who do they think they are

to enlisted the help of a country's military government to deal with protesters ?

The USA ? :sarcasm:

[EFerrari]

6. Didn't Chevron do the same thing -- and while Condi Rice was on their board?

I swear I remember that.

[texastoast]

2. Shell is a Fucking Asshole Company

This is just one more example out of a long list of human rights violations. The goldhats there are just scum to do this kind of thing. They would do it here if they could get away with it, but so far, they can't.

[NNadir]

9. Don't worry, they can get out of any trouble they get into by paying Amory Lovins oodles of money

to greenwash them.

[DCKit]

3. Shouldn't we be able to try a Corporate Person for murder?

And that fine is insultingly low.

[MasonJar]

4. Read Richard North Patterson's newest novel Eclipse. It gives a dramatic human

perspective to this travesty. Shell will never see another dime of my money. They and Rxxon should be boycotted out of business. (I haven't bought gas from Exxon since Valdez) 15.5 million is chickenfeed for what Shell did. Read the novel and weep.

[underpants]

10. "Confessions of an Economic Hitman"

http://www.economichitman.com/

[salin]

12. FANTASTIC novel.

agreed, too little and far too late. My understanding is that the societal decline into violence as described in Eclipse is a 'light' version of reality.

[skepticscott]

5. While very bad, this is not exactly new

Shell's deep involvement in human right abuses and environmental devastation has been open knowledge for many years to people who cared to listen.

[cliffordu]

7. NOW WE'RE TALKING!!!

The corporatocracy at it's fucking finest.

Fill up your goddamned CAR, kill the little brown/yellow/etc people.

Who gives a shit enough to change anything???

[wroberts189]

8. $15.5m ... in Shell terms thats like a trip to Burger King. nt

[conspirator]

11. Land stealing and military colonization still goes on in Africa and South America nt