Negative social and environmental impacts on-going and set to increase; affected communities ignored
December 23, 2008 -- The Government of Korea has rejected a complaint filed by EarthRights International on behalf of the Shwe Gas Movement (SGM) and nine Korea-based organizations alleging Daewoo International and the Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS) are in breach of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises related to their involvement in a large-scale natural gas development project in military-ruled Burma. As an OECD-member state, Korea has committed to promote the Guidelines, which are a set of principles for corporate responsibility.
Read the full text of the complaint - English & Korean versions available
Despite having gotten off to a late start, the EarthRights Burma School is making great progress in training the next generation of grassroots human rights and environmental activists. Dr. Daniel Aguirre, one of the school coordinators, provides the most recent update.
In The Spotlight
EarthRights International Special Commentary:
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Urges Corporate Interests in Burma to Use Their Influence with Military Junta to Push for Democratic Reforms and Improvement in Human Rights
When asked what advice he would give to private businesses invested in Burma’s (Myanmar’s) energy sector, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon firmly stated that "they should try to use their cooperation or their relationship to impress upon the Myanmar authorities so that they can commit to their democratization process, and also humanitarian and promotion of human rights..." ERI is heartened that the Secretary General recognizes that corporations choosing to operate in Burma must play a positive role. However, ERI continues to document the negative environmental and social impacts of foreign investments in the country’s oil and gas sector, and questions the current commitment of corporations in this sector to influence positive change in the country.
In The Spotlight
Royal Dutch Shell to go to Trial for Complicity in Torture and Murder of Nigerian Protesters
New York, October 8, 2008 — Yesterday, Judge Kimba Wood of the U.S.
District Court for the Southern District of New York set a trial date of
February 9, 2009 for a human rights and racketeering case against the Royal
Dutch Shell company (Shell) and the head of its Nigerian operation, Brian
Anderson. The case was first filed in 1996. The judge rejected Shell’s attempt
to file additional legal motions to postpone a trial date.
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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.
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