EarthRights International (ERI) commends the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights for holding the former military government of Nigeria responsible for human rights violations against the Ogoni people. These abuses were connected with state violence and oil development in the Niger Delta. Among other violations, the Commission found that Nigeria “violated the right to health and the right to clean environment” and failed “to protect the Ogoni population from the harm caused by the NNPC Shell Consortium.” The Commission’s important decision puts governments on notice that they will be held accountable for gross human rights violations linked to abusive corporate practices.
The Commission’s decision also complements ERI’s goal to hold corporations accountable for perpetrating abuses. In particular, the decision affirms ERI’s efforts as co-counsel in the Wiwa v. Royal Dutch Petroleum case before the Second Circuit court in New York. In that case, ERI is attempting to hold Shell accountable for abuses in Nigeria similar to those dealt with by the Commission. Accordingly, the Commission’s decision furthers ERI’s broader aim to prevent future violations and to help victims of abuse hold human rights violators accountable for their egregious conduct.
