My lord,
We all stand before history. I am a man of peace, of ideas. Appalled by the denigrating poverty of my people who live on a richly endowed land, distressed by their political marginilization and economic strangulation, angered by the devestation of their land, their ultimate heritage, anxious to preserve their right to life and to a decent living, and determined to usher to this country as a whole a fair and just democratic system which protects everyone and every ethnic group and gives us all a valid claim to human civilization, I have devoted my intellectual and material resources, my very life, to a cause in which I have total belief and from which I cannot be blackmailed or intimidated. I have no doubt at all about the ultimate success of my cause, no matter the trials and tribulations which I and those who believe with me may encounter on our journey. Nor imprisonment nor death can stop our ultimate victory.
-Ken Saro-Wiwa’s closing statement at the Nigerian Military’s Tribunal
It was announced this morning by several newspapers that Royal Dutch Shell has agreed to settle out of court for complacency in various human rights violations in the Niger Delta, among them the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and several other Ogoni leaders. This is a huge victory for Ken Saro-Wiwa, Jr. and the people of the Niger Delta, but unfortunately, it does not come with any admission of guilt by Royal Dutch Shell. This was not an official Amnesty International action, but I’m certain there are plenty of people at AI (and certainly at Group 133) that are pleased with the settlement. I, for one, hope this sets a precedent for future corporate responsibility.
Further reading:
Shell to Settle Abuse Case for $15.5 Million @ New York Times
Shell settles Nigeria deaths case @ BBC
Joy at Nigeria oil deaths pay-out @ BBC
Center for Constitutional Rights press release
Wiwa v. Shell
Remember Ken Saro-Wiwa
Op-ed and Reaction from Ken Saro-Wiwa, Jr. @ guardian.co.uk
Slideshow and “Living Memorial” to Ken Saro-Wiwa @ guardian.co.uk
Blogs:
www.shellguilty.com
The Poor Mouth
The Raw Story
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