A simple Twitter message, repeated by just a few hundred users, and the world’s biggest company was scrambling to set up an online dialogue.
The request was for an opportunity to discuss Amnesty’s recent report ‘Petroleum, Pollution and Poverty’, which highlighted human rights abuses in the Niger Delta, where despite vast profits for oil companies, 31 million people are living in poverty.
The details were soon finalised. It was to happen on the Shell Dialogues site, with a parallel and open chat right here on Protect the Human.
On one side was Shell, with a panel of five senior staff, a slick introductory video and a well-oiled PR machine. On the other, the 445 individuals who had registered to take part, including experts from Amnesty, the Remember Saro-wiwa campaign, Friends of the Earth and local organisations based in Nigeria.
The stage was set.
What followed was an endless stream of questions about Shell’s human rights record, including why they continue with gas flaring despite a government ban, why they haven’t published their environmental assessments, and why they have failed to adequately clean up oil spills.
It didn’t take long before cracks began to appear in their positive PR machine, with country chair Basil Omiyi admitted that ‘Yes’, Shell does believe that pollution and environmental damage associated with the oil industry has contributed to poverty and conflict in the Niger Delta. Their assertion that ‘the oil industry’s footprint is impacting on small parts of the delta’ was an understatement of epic proportions, and their claim that ‘Shell is giving all spills immediate attention’ was completely dismissed by those working in the Niger Delta.
We should give Shell some credit for at least being willing to discuss these issues, though their rose tinted view fooled no one.
The next step is to watch this space, for a promised transcript of the dialogue, along with answers to the questions they didn’t have time to answer. In the meantime we are analysing their answers and plotting our next move.
If you’ve not yet sent an email to Shell’s new CEO, please take a moment to do this. If you have, why not send a message to @shelldotcom on Twitter, asking them to respond to the 3500+ emails that have been sent.
That’s really great! I’m glad we had an effect; keep up the good work guys!
Congratulations! It shows Amnesty does work
I’m glad so little of what we do is making such a significant contribution around the world.
Keep up the good work Amnesty.
This is evidence that much can be achieved when enough people apply enough pressure over a sustained period. The truth will emerge sooner or later. Congratulations!
Congratulations Amnesty for achieving a result and Thanks Shell for dipping a toe in the water – Please can we now have some real action
Great news. the job is not yet done but if we keep it up it wont be long.
Although this is great we are still a long way from achieving any form of serious success. We want to keep pressure on Shell so that we begin to see some action and not just words. Only when Shell starts taking action will people start celebrating. Keep the fire burning!!!
Sounds like a good start, well done. Come on Shell, can you put people and the environment before profit?
Congratulations to Amnesty, the Remember Saro-Wiwa campaign, Friends of the Earth & other organisations involved in this campaign. Shell appears to be listening but actions speak louder than words…..As you say, ‘Watch this space’
Really good response – glad to see a multi national resonding to the concerns
“Cracks began to appear in their positive PR machine”: That’s quite a breakthrough! Let’s keep up the pressure to make them give proper attention to the issues of poverty and pollution till we see some positive and concrete results/outcomes. We need to make them lose their excuses to present a “rose tinted view”.
A fantastic result, the truth will out. Until now big business held all the cards, but thanks to the Web what Shell says and what they actually do has been exposed.
many, many thanks Amnesty!
Better to have reached towards an honourable goal…and recognised the complexities involved in achieving even that…than never to have extended ourselves toward trying to understand the views and opinions and intentions of who do not see the world the way we do. Proud to be a humble member of Amnesty International!
well done.
but shame I didn’t know about the webchat on 23 July at 2pm before 23 July.
where was it advertised, please ?
Thank goodness there is Amnesty. Giants like Shell would otherwise just march on totally unchecked. It’s a good start but more pressure is needed. I’ve avoided buying Shell petrol since I heard about the Niger.
This is a terrific victory for Amnesty International and all its members. Well done, everyone, I hope we can keep going and taking on more people and companies.
Great job, feels good to be part of this.
Emmanuel
Excellent news! This proves that every single person’s contribution, no matter how small, can make a big difference on a larger scale.
The pressure needs to continue as people’s well being and lives are at stake. If there is anything else I can do please do not hesistate to ask!
Comhghairdeas! Congratulations!
Thank goodness for Amnesty International and all its supporters. Hopefully this is the beginning of justice for the people of the Niger Delta. We must maintain pressure on Shell.
It is a start but clearly there is still a long way to go. It is now two weeks later and Shell have still not produced the promised transcript and their answers to the remaining questions. We do need to keep up the pressure
A great achievement for People Power that shows that even giant multinationals are not immune from the unleashed power of the web!
Time for some shell-shock! Use th power of your pocket-book and fill up elsewhere till Shell come completely clean and clean up their act in the Niger Delta.
Simon Stewart-Richardson.
another landmark victory….for humanity….together we fight for a better planet. convey my deep regards to my fellow beings for their effort…
Shell’s doings in Erris, Co Mayo, Ireland, need thorough investigation; we would like to know who was responsible for sinking the boat of Pat O’Donnell, a leading critic of Shell’s planned works in Erris, & of the entire Corrib Gas Project. Shell to Sea!
This shows that taking action and putting a little pressure in companies does sometimes result in success. Well Done Amnesty !!
Emma Lloyd
Another blow for the “little person”! Great work and please keep up the pressure on them. Otherwise, once again, another big organisation will be getting away with murder, metaphorically and possibly literally.
Well done to the Amnesty team. What a huge step forward.
It’s great that so many people are paying attention to Shell’s crimes against humanity and the earth, but that’s all this is good for- awareness raising. Royal Dutch Shell is never going to change its ways, no matter how many people try to hold it accountable.
Amnesty, please don’t ignore what is happening in your own backyard. Shell is continuing their criminal activity here in Co. Mayo, Ireland.. wake up! People are being beaten, having their fishing boats sank and being left for dead. It’s a miracle no one has died yet. Please get involved before that happens. Don’t doubt that Shell is willing to sacrefice life for the sake of profit.
corribgas.net
I second the comments re Shell in Erris, Co. Mayo. Shell are shaping up to behave the same way there. They have been in Mayo less than 10 years and so far the damage is minimal compared to the Niger Delta (though no less traumatic for those suffering). Let’s learn from the past. Amnesty, help us nip this one in the bud.