Case: Policy coherence in general

30-01-2012 Shell's involvement in armed conflict addressed by MEP Désir

According to a report from the British NGO Platform, the Anglo-Dutch oil company Shell has actively fuelled conflict and violence in Nigeria. Shell would have paid nearly 120.000 euro to armed groups, causing hundreds of people fleeing their homes, getting tortured or executed.

Despite European rules and social, environmental and development objectives, and despite the Cotonou agreement, to which Nigeria is a signatory, the European Union has not undertaken action to stop these abuses. The Cotonou agreement, which grants developing countries in Africa, the Carribean and the Pacific (ACP) preferential access to European markets and provides for development cooperation and aid, also contains a human rights provision. In the case of continued human rights breaches, the agreement can be temporarily withdrawn. Clearly the EU has the means to get involved and stop the human rights violations, but hasnt done so up till now.

MEP Harlem Désir (S&D) addressed this issue in a written question to the Commission. He asked the Commission to shed light on the case and he asks whether the Commission is intending to undertake action to prevent or punish such abuses. Fair Politics appreciates these questions, as they take the EU up on their responsibility to protect human rights. As human rights and development are closely linked to each other, breaching human rights also means negatively affecting development. By protecting human rights and avoiding abuses, especially when these abuses come from European companies, there will be more space for development in Nigeria, which in turn will increase the upholding of human rights. Fair Politics wants to thank MEP Harlem Désir for his question by granting him one point in our monitoring system for the Fair Politician of the Year!

Click here to read the report by Platform

Monitor fair: S&D


Parliamentary questions
21 October 2011 E-009521/2011

Question for written answer
to the Commission
Rule 117
Harlem Désir (S&D)

Subject: VP/HR Shell's involvement in an armed conflict in Nigeria

A British NGO has accused the Anglo-Dutch oil company Shell of stirring up violence in Nigeria by paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to government forces to keep the country in a state of armed conflict. It claims to have witness statements and contracts implicating Shell that substantiate these accusations.
Last year, Shell allegedly paid almost EUR 120 000 to armed groups who have hounded locals, caused hundreds of people to flee their homes, and tortured and carried out arbitrary executions of civilians.
It is unacceptable that a European multinational should behave in such a way, in complete disregard of European rules and the EU's social, environmental and development objectives (Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union).
It is equally unacceptable that the EU should remain aloof to possible violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms by Nigerian government forces which represent a breach of the obligations set out in Articles 9 and 11 of the Cotonou Agreement, to which Nigeria is a signatory.
Will the High Representative carry out an investigation to shed light on the possible involvement of Shell and the Nigerian Government in these human rights violations? If that involvement is confirmed, what action does the High Representative intend to take under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement?
What steps does the Commission intend to take to prevent or punish such abuses?