NEW YORK — Royal Dutch Shell is preparing for a federal trial this summer to face allegations that it played a role in the executions of activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and other civilians by Nigeria’s former military regime.
It is the latest in a series of trials seeking to hold big oil companies liable for human rights abuses or environmental damage overseas. Oil companies say they can’t be held responsible for acts of governments in countries where they operate.
Chevron was cleared in December of any wrongdoing in a violent protest on one of its Nigerian oil platforms a decade ago. Meanwhile, Exxon Mobil is being sued by Indonesian villagers who say guards at a natural gas facility kidnapped, tortured and murdered civilians.
The case against Shell, now before the U.S. District Court in New York, focuses on the company’s operation in Nigeria’s Ogoni region, where the company first began operations in 1958.
For decades, Nigerians have blamed Shell for contaminated farms and water supplies. The lawsuit says that in June of 1993, Shell employees allowed its Bomu-Tai pipeline to spill into villages for 40 days.
When villagers complained, the lawsuit says Shell worked with a military junta to snuff out opposition. In particular, the lawsuit says Shell officials knew and possibly supported the military’s capture and hanging of Ken Saro-Wiwa, John Kpuinen, Saturday Doobee, Felix Nuate, Daniel Gbokoo and Dr. Barinem Kiobel on Nov. 10, 1995.
U.S. District Judge Kimba M. Mood postponed the case Wednesday.
Shell spokesman Bill Tanner declined to comment about the case.
by the associated press
It is the latest in a series of trials seeking to hold big oil companies liable for human rights abuses or environmental damage overseas. Oil companies say they can’t be held responsible for acts of governments in countries where they operate.
Chevron was cleared in December of any wrongdoing in a violent protest on one of its Nigerian oil platforms a decade ago. Meanwhile, Exxon Mobil is being sued by Indonesian villagers who say guards at a natural gas facility kidnapped, tortured and murdered civilians.
The case against Shell, now before the U.S. District Court in New York, focuses on the company’s operation in Nigeria’s Ogoni region, where the company first began operations in 1958.
For decades, Nigerians have blamed Shell for contaminated farms and water supplies. The lawsuit says that in June of 1993, Shell employees allowed its Bomu-Tai pipeline to spill into villages for 40 days.
When villagers complained, the lawsuit says Shell worked with a military junta to snuff out opposition. In particular, the lawsuit says Shell officials knew and possibly supported the military’s capture and hanging of Ken Saro-Wiwa, John Kpuinen, Saturday Doobee, Felix Nuate, Daniel Gbokoo and Dr. Barinem Kiobel on Nov. 10, 1995.
U.S. District Judge Kimba M. Mood postponed the case Wednesday.
Shell spokesman Bill Tanner declined to comment about the case.
by the associated press
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