Friends of the Earth International commemorates Ken Saro-Wiwa's death on
November 10 as a day of solidarity with victims of mining, oil and gas
activities around the world and a celebration of all the activists who
continue to resist.
Sixteen years ago, environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight
others were executed under the Abacha dictatorship in Nigeria.
It was widely alleged that oil giant Shell interfered in the trial that
led to his death sentence. Shell has been drilling in Nigeria for 50
years and its operations in the Niger Delta continue to have massively
negative impacts on the population there.
Friends of the Earth International commemorates Ken Saro-Wiwa's death on
November 10 as a day of solidarity with victims of mining, oil and gas
activities and a celebration of the activists who continue to resist.
Since the release of the 2011 report 'Memory, truth and justice for
heroes' (1) the death toll and level of persecution of community leaders
defending their territories against abuses by the extractive industries
has continued unabated. (2)
The destruction of communities and ecosystems caused by extractive
industries has generated a global resistance movement struggling for
justice and the defense of life, land, resources, biodiversity,
livelihoods and cultures.
Extractive industries have caused some of the world's worst
environmental disasters and displaced tens of thousands of local people
from their traditional homelands. Abuses perpetrated by the extractive
industries have cost the lives of many environmental advocates and
communities.
This year Friends of the Earth International marks this anniversary
during its biennial general assembly in El Salvador in November by
reflecting on its work with environmental defenders across the globe.
Fifteen international delegates will visit communities negatively
affected by mining in Guatemala and El Salvador as part of a solidarity
tour following the general assembly, from 13-20 November. (3)
Friends of the Earth International reiterates its support for
communities resisting destructive extractive projects, in their
struggles against social injustices, and in bringing about environmental
and economic justice.
On 11 October 2012, Friends of the Earth and four Nigerians brought
Dutch oil giant Shell to court in The Hague for damage caused in
Nigeria; a milestone in the decades of struggle of the people of the
Niger Delta and a fitting testament to the struggle of Ken Saro-Wiwa. (4)
Notes:
(1) For more information see the report published on November 2011:
http://www.foei.org/en/resources/publications/pdfs/2011/memory-truth-and-justice-for-heroes/view
(2) For more information on activists at risk see
http://www.radiomundoreal.fm/Luchadores-sociales-en-riesgo
(3) Full coverage of the tour can be followed at
http://www.radiomundoreal.fm/?lang=en
(4) For more information see
http://www.foei.org/en/media/archive/2012/30-january-verdict-expected-in-court-case-on-oil-giant-shells-nigerian-oil-pollution
