ENVIRONMENT: SHELL RECORD IN NIGERIA AND IRELAND SLAMMED BY LEAGUE

- Rapport -

The Celtic League Secretary General, Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, has launched a strong attack on Oil and Gas multi-national Royal Dutch Shell (RDS). In a letter to RDS Chioef Executive, Jeroen van der Veer, he cites the company's record in both Nigeria and Ireland and urges more accountability from Shell to the concerns and

Cathal Ó Luain Par Celtic League le 13/06/07 18:01

The Celtic League Secretary General, Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, has launched a strong attack on Oil and Gas multi-national Royal Dutch Shell (RDS).

In a letter to RDS Chioef Executive, Jeroen van der Veer, he cites the company's record in both Nigeria and Ireland and urges more accountability from Shell to the concerns and wishes of local communities.

The Secretary General also says that RDS hides behind politicians and sets low environmental standards.

The full text of his letter is set out below:

"Jeroen van der Veer Chief Executive and Director Royal Dutch Shell Carel van Bylandtlaan 30 2596 HR The Hague The Netherlands

09.05.07

Dear Jeroen van der Veer

Environmental and Social Accountability

The concern of our members has prompted me to write to you to protest in the strongest terms about the way that Royal Dutch Shell conducts itself throughout the world, in terms of its apparent total lack of environmental and social sensibility.

For many years now I have followed the environmental complaints and social injustices that have been levied against Royal Dutch Shell, since the execution of Ken Sara-Wiwa in 1995 while I was at university in Wales.

Being a global corporation and an exploiter of the world's natural resources, means that Royal Dutch Shell also has global responsibilities.

These responsibilities should extend to ensuring that the company's environmental policy takes into consideration global issues, such as climate change, and the lives of the people and the communities that are affected by the business interests of the company. In short it is the view of the Celtic League that Royal Dutch Shell should be environmentally and socially accountable for their actions throughout the world wherever they operate.

However it certainly seems to be the case that Royal Dutch Shell attempts to avoid responsibility for their actions at all costs. Two instances immediately spring to my mind as good examples of this. The first involves 'gas flaring' in the Nigerian delta and the laying of a high pressured gas pipeline across north Mayo, Ireland. In both instances not only has the actions of Royal Dutch Shell had a damaging impact on the environment, but has also adversely affected the peoples and communities of these regions.

Protests from people in both these regions against the work of Royal Dutch Shell have resulted in violence, imprisonment and even murder (as in the case of Ken Sara-Wiwa). In Nigeria, Royal Dutch Shell promised to stop gas flaring ten years ago amid international protest, but have continued the practise regardless. Luckily in north Mayo the building of Shell's unsafe gas processing plant now looks likely to be delayed or stopped altogether as a consequence of legal action. Members of the Mayo community, still reeling from police brutality, prison, court action, the disruption of their community life and the unwanted presence of Shell, will now hopefully be able to begin to rebuild their lives. We hope that the people of Nigeria will not have to suffer much longer for them to be able to do the same.

By hiding behind politicians (Ireland), low environmental standards (Nigeria) and money (Ireland and Nigeria), Royal Dutch Shell still has responsibilities and not only to its share holders. Shell has responsibilities for the people whose lives its company directly affects and the environment that it irrevocable changes. It is our own responsibility, as a Non Governmental Organisation, to point out this failing within Shell and to try to persuade you to be more accountable for its actions.

Yours sincerely

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot

General Secretary Celtic League"

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