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- To: Multiple recipients of list <shell-nigeria-action@essential.org>
- Subject: Sign on letter - Shell Nigeria & Peru
- From: Steve Kretzmann <steve@moles.org>
- Date: Thu, 22 May 97 21:42:41 +0000
- Reply-To: steve@moles.org
- Sender: shell-nigeria-action@essential.org
Hey everybody, The following letter was released last week in London. We are now trying to add as many possible signatories as we can to this to keep the pressure up. One of the most inspiring things at the AGM last week was to have the Peruvians and the Nigerians pledging their mutual support for each other. Shell was caught completely off guard on Peru and is clearly unnerved by this kind of international networking. Information on both Shell in Nigeria and Peru is contained in the newly released "Independent Annual Report" compiled by Project Underground and Rainforest Action Network. Its available from either of those organizations for $9. Please reply to this message to sign your group on, and circulate this letter far and wide. Peace, Steve AN OPEN LETTER TO THE SHAREHOLDERS AND DIRECTORS OF THE ROYAL DUTCH / SHELL GROUP OF COMPANIES This letter is to express our concern with Shell's exploration and development operations in Peru and Nigeria. We believe that Shell's current activities and future plans for hydrocarbon exploration and development in Peru present an unacceptable risk to the Amazonian environment and indigenous peoples. It is also our conviction that Shell's operations in Nigeria reflect a pattern and practice of disregard for human rights, environmental conservation, and sustainable development. While we understand that Shell Prospecting and Development (Peru) is in your view separate from the Shell Petroleum Development Corporation (Nigeria), we feel that it is the credibility of the Royal Dutch / Shell Group of Companies internationally that is the issue. In short, we expect Shell International to hold itself to one global standard. In light of this we call on Shell to immediately: 1. Use the tremendous influence that Shell has in Nigeria to free the Ogoni 19 - who are still awaiting trial on the same false charges for which Ken Saro-Wiwa and others were executed. This action would go a long way towards proving Shell's stated commitment to human rights. 2. Cancel current plans to drill two appraisal wells in the Peruvian State Reserve for the Native Nomadic Kugapakori and Nahua Populations. 3. Cease efforts to resume operations in Ogoni, Nigeria until and unless Ogoni is demilitarized and MOSOP (Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People) gives its consent. 4. Suspend Peruvian operations until local communities have received complete information regarding their rights and the negative impacts of oil and gas projects. We trust that you as shareholders of Shell appreciate the seriousness of our concerns and our collective commitment to ensure the rights of peoples, the long term health of the environment, and corporate accountability. Your response to these concerns will play an important role in our efforts to keep the public informed about Shell's global operations. Sincerely, Accion Ecologica, Asociacion Interetnica de Desarollo de la Selva Peruana - AIDESEP, Asociacion Pro-Derechos Humanos - APRODEH, CEDAL, Center for Economic and Social Rights, Civil Liberties Organisation - CLO, Coalition Against BP in Columbia, Committee to Protect Vital Environmental Resources - COVER, Corporate Watch / UK, Corporate Watch / US, Cultural Survival / Canada, Delta, Environmental Rights Action, Essential Action, Friends of the Earth / US, Friends of the Earth / Netherlands, Green Party UK, Hull on Earth, Ikwerre Youth Convention, Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People - MOSOP, Movement for Reparation to Ogbia - MORETO, Niger Delta Human and Environmental Rescue Organisation - ND-HERO, OilWatch International, Offshore Industry Liaison Committee, Ogoni Freedom Campaign, Organisation of Nigerians in the Americas - ONA, Platform, Project Underground, Racimos de Ungurahui, Rainforest Action Network - RAN, Rainforest Foundation International, Sierra Club, South and Meso American Indian Rights Center - SAIIC, The Body Shop, Transnational Resource Action Center, Watch the Niger Delta - WAND, Women in Nigeria - WIN ************************ Steve Kretzmann project underground 510-705-8982 - office 510-705-8983 - fax project underground Exposing corporate environmental & human rights abuses Supporting communities facing the mining and oil industries 1847 Berkeley Way Berkeley, CA, 94703 ************************
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