My latest piece on the case #Kiobel vs #Shell is available online today and in print tomorrow at @M_Star_Online @AudreyGaughran @seemabhr @MarkDummett @meghnaabraham @Makmid @andy_rowell @saltaluca73 @atricarico72 @BorromeoBea morningstaronline.co.uk/article/f/kiob…
Tomorrow a Dutch court will examine the merits of a landmark case brought by @realkiobel and three other women with regard to what they claim was Shell’s involvement in the unlawful arrest, torture and execution of their husbands by the Nigerian military @channasamkalden @tmdboer
Esther’s late husband, Dr Barinem Kiobel, was hanged in 1995 by the Nigerian government along with the writer and activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and other seven men, collectively known as the Ogoni Nine.
The trial, which was internationally described as unfair and politically motivated, led to Nigeria’s suspension from the Commonwealth.
According to @amnesty, the executions marked the culmination of the Nigerian military’s ruthless campaign to silence the protests of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) against environmental devastation caused by Shell in Ogoniland, Niger Delta
Research conducted by the rights organization has revealed that Shell repeatedly encouraged and helped the Nigerian authorities to stop the MOSOP protests so that it could freely operate in the area, even when it knew that this would lead to gross human rights violations.
It appears that Shell was also embroiled in the bribery of witnesses to sign false statements incriminating the Ogoni Nine.
@realkiobel and the other plaintiffs are demanding justice. I had the honour of meeting them, hearing their story, learning from them, being inspired by their courage and resilience. I hope tomorrow’s hearing will be the hearing of reckoning.
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