Archived press release

Shell's Neighbours Demand Justice

26 June 2004

New chief executive told to "come and visit us"

Representatives from communities around the world will attend Shell's AGM on Monday (28 June) [1] to demand justice from the oil company, which they say is causing severe health problems and environmental damage from Nigeria to Texas, from Sakhalin to South Africa. Their stories, published in an alternative report by Friends of the Earth [2] conflict with the social and environmental claims made by the company in its reports to shareholders.

The community groups [3], who met with former Shell chair Sir Philip Watts at last year's AGM, will call on the new chief executive Jeroen van der Veer, to come to visit them and see for himself the harm that his company is causing. Those attending the AGM will include:

• Hilton Kelley from Port Arthur in Texas, who has mobilised 1,200 residents in his community to file a law suit against Shell because of its failure to stop emissions that they allege are causing respiratory illnesses, eye complaints and cancer.

• Oronto Douglas from Environmental Rights Action / Friends of the Earth Nigeria. Shell sources 10 per cent of its oil from the Niger Delta and the company's failure to invest in technology results in gas being flared - often at ground level and in immediate proximity of communities and agricultural land. Oil spills are also common with 9,900 barrels of oil spilt in 2003.

• Desmond D'Sa from Durban in South Africa where Shell's dilapidated SAPREF refinery has experienced five major oil spills or accidents since last year's Shell AGM.

Friends of the Earth believes UK companies should not be able to inflict damage on communities around the world and yet remain unaccountable to both their shareholders and local stakeholders for their impacts. The environmental campaign group is calling on the British Government to introduce corporate accountability legislation here in the UK, to ensure that British companies take account of the negative impacts of their operations and can be held accountable by the communities they work alongside

Friends of the Earth's executive director, Tony Juniper, said:

"Shell's activities are causing enormous damage to the health and environment of communities around the world. It is time shareholders realised the social and environmental risks this company is exposed to. Not only has Shell been overstating its oil reserves, it has exaggerated its social and environmental performance too. They must put pressure on the company to clean up its act and take its global responsibilities seriously. And the British Government must recognize its moral responsibility and introduce new legislation to make British companies accountable for their actions abroad".

Speaking on behalf of the communities attending the AGM, Hilton Kelley from Port Arthur in Texas, said:

"We cannot stand by and let our women and children suffer the health impacts of living next door to Shell. Mr van der Veer should come and visit us and see for himself the damage that his company is causing. We are tired of waiting. We want action and we want it now."

Notes

[1] Shell's annual general meeting takes place at the Excel Centre, Western Gateway, Docklands, London on Monday 28^th June 2004. For more information see www.shell.com

[2] Beyond the shine - the other Shell Report 2003 was launched on Wednesday 23^rd June ahead of Shell's Annual General Meeting on Monday 28^th June. Copies are available from the press office at Friends of the Earth or from www.foe.co.uk/resource/reports/behind_shine.pdf (PDF† format)

[3] Representatives from Norco, Louisiana; Port Arthur, Texas; Niger Delta, Nigeria; and Durban, South Africa will attend the AGM in London.

For more information on Shell see www.shellfacts.com

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--> Behind the shine - the other Shell report 2003 (PDF† format)
Failing the challenge: The other Shell report 2002 (PDF† format)

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust