Ken Saro-Wiwa, a true champion of the people

PanchoVilla

Fifteen years ago today, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others were executed by the Nigerian military government in collaboration with Shell Nigeria. Fresh scrutiny is on the oil giant after secret documents revealed in The Guardian today expose how Shell tried to cover up oil spill data and manipulated the media and NGOs in the wake of the executions.

http://remembersarowiwa.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62-rLX1UYBE

Royal Dutch Shell represents everything that is wrong with the world today. Greed, corruption, institutional denial of human rights and democracy. The sooner we get them out of Ireland the better. Support Shell to Sea, even if they are a bit mental.

http://www.shelltosea.com/

KeithM89_old

The pic for two videos remind me of the sheep episode of Father Ted when he compares the 2 pictures

bonerm

tl:dw

Brendog

Ken Saro-Wiwa? Like an ambulance?

"Wi Wa Wi Wa Wi Wa Wi Wa Wi Wa Wi Wa Wi Wa Wi Wa"

PanchoVilla

I never would have guessed the anniversary of the murder of a political activist would be so attractive to trolls. I guess I should have posted this after bed time.

The Waltzing Consumer

I hate Shell.

Nigeria and their government tried this man and executed him. So as much as I dislike Shell, point the finger of blame a lot more at the military government at the time in Nigeria rather than Shell.

PanchoVilla

The Waltzing Consumer wrote: »

I hate Shell.

Nigeria and their government tried this man and executed him. So as much as I dislike Shell, point the finger of blame a lot more at the military government at the time in Nigeria rather than Shell.

Shell pays out $15.5m over Saro-Wiwa killing


The oil giant Shell has agreed to pay $15.5m (£9.6m) in settlement of a legal action in which it was accused of having collaborated in the execution of the writer Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other leaders of the Ogoni tribe of southern Nigeria.

The settlement, reached on the eve of the trial in a federal court in New York, was one of the largest payouts agreed by a multinational corporation charged with human rights violations.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jun/08/nigeria-usa

They paid out to avoid a conviction of conspiracy to commit murder. The dogs on the street know Shell had Saro-Wiwa killed. They even employed government troops to protect their wells and pipelines.

policarp

PanchoVilla wrote: »

Greed, corruption,
/

Didn't Seanie Fitzpatrick have a go at robbing Nigeria as well...

What the hell is an obscure political scandal doing in AH?

Doesn't this belong in Politics?

PanchoVilla

Deleted User wrote: »

What the hell is an obscure political scandal doing in AH?

Doesn't this belong in Politics?

Nope. It will be dismissed as conspiracy theory and locked if posted in politics. It doesn't belong in conspiracy theory as there is enough evidence to prove Shell had Saro-Wiwa and eight other men killed for opposing their activities in the Niger Delta. So the only place to put it where people will actually see it is AH. Also, it's not that obscure, at least not to people who actually follow world events.

Anyway, this is more of a memorial to the men who where hanged fifteen years ago to protect their people. I'm sure some Irish people can relate to that.

Dean820

Hippy.

Wibbs

Fair play for posting OP. As for some of the replies. I effin weep for the state of debate sometimes. I know it's AH, but we can have an actual debate in here without fart jokes and like leveled stuff, you know.

PanchoVilla

Dean820 wrote: »

Hippy.

I don't do labels any more but I was a punk when I was younger. Not sure if I should report you for personal abuse.

Dudess

Wibbs wrote: »

Fair play for posting OP. As for some of the replies. I effin weep for the state of debate sometimes. I know it's AH, but we can have an actual debate in here without fart jokes and like leveled stuff, you know.

I'd prefer toilet humour to the inevitable tide of **** about hippies and liberals and bla bla though...

The Waltzing Consumer

PanchoVilla wrote: »

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jun/08/nigeria-usa

They paid out to avoid a conviction of conspiracy to commit murder. The dogs on the street know Shell had Saro-Wiwa killed. They even employed government troops to protect their wells and pipelines.

A good point. I just think your highlighting of Shell and not the Nigerian goverment as much is not balanced.

It would be like someone saying that because Shell to Sea has members of Sinn Fein in it, then we should look at Sinn Feins history and because in their history they were identical to PIRA at times, they murdered innocent people too, so therefore, we should say Shell to Sea support murderers. That would not be fair at all.

You are right to question Shell, but lets not skip the government who tried and executed the man!

Dudess

Dudess wrote: »

I'd prefer toilet humour to the inevitable tide of **** about hippies and liberals and bla bla though...

That's the sentiment I'd agree with to be honest. I feel this thread is like a Charity mugger on Grafton street. Yes the cause is a very valid one and one I support wholeheartedly, but because I'm out doing my shopping, I'm going to either pass you by or lose my temper if you persist in chugging me.

Dudess

Oh I can't stand chuggers - they're working anyway, not volunteering. But some people will pounce on any left-wing cause whatsoever (even though this really shouldn't be a case of left or right, but it will get treated as such) no matter what it is, in order to sock to the hippies. Most obvious example: Palestine.

davyjose

Wibbs wrote: »

Fair play for posting OP. As for some of the replies. I effin weep for the state of debate sometimes. I know it's AH, but we can have an actual debate in here without fart jokes and like leveled stuff, you know.

I accept that point Wibbs, but take a look around: there are a hell of a lot of serious threads out there, about matters a hell of a lot more pertinent to the average boardsie right now.

I'm not saying the guy doesn't deserve respect, but the jokes, while silly, were mild. There's only so much doom and gloom we can take.

ascanbe

The Waltzing Consumer wrote: »

A good point. I just think your highlighting of Shell and not the Nigerian goverment as much is not balanced.

It would be like someone saying that because Shell to Sea has members of Sinn Fein in it, then we should look at Sinn Feins history and because in their history they were identical to PIRA at times, they murdered innocent people too, so therefore, we should say Shell to Sea support murderers. That would not be fair at all.

You are right to question Shell, but lets not skip the government who tried and executed the man!

Don't think anyone was skipping them; their guilt is obvious.
Shell certainly didn't 'skip' the government/military dictatorship; they propped them up, worked with them and enriched them.
I think that's the point.

PanchoVilla

davyjose wrote: »

I accept that point Wibbs, but take a look around: there are a hell of a lot of serious threads out there, about matters a hell of a lot more pertinent to the average boardsie right now.

I'm not saying the guy doesn't deserve respect, but the jokes, while silly, were mild. There's only so much doom and gloom we can take.

Well it's all a matter of perspective really. Look at all the people on boards mocking the protesters for standing up for what they believe. This man and others like him did the same thing and was killed for it. It serves as a reminder to people that the needs of the group outweigh the needs of the individual. While you may not be suffering personally from the current crisis, it's good to understand that others may be suffering and it's important to show solidarity at times like these.

So not really all doom and gloom, more an inspiration to stand together.

KINGVictor

PanchoVilla wrote: »

http://remembersarowiwa.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62-rLX1UYBE

Royal Dutch Shell represents everything that is wrong with the world today. Greed, corruption, institutional denial of human rights and democracy. The sooner we get them out of Ireland the better. Support Shell to Sea, even if they are a bit mental.

http://www.shelltosea.com/

OP, I applaud you for the post. I listened to the video and it brings back memories of the serious injustice committed against the people of the Niger Delta in Nigeria. I agree with you that Shell is corrupt and will use its enormous resources to make profits at all cost...in reality all MNCs exhibit these traits, such is the nature of their business.

As a Nigerian myself, I will have to agree with the poster who says the blame should be shared by the Nigerian government as well. One thing you have to understand is Multinational companies can only operate within the framework that the system permits. Multinationals have made billions from Nigeria but so also goverment officials in the form of bribes and other corrupt practices.

Some may argue that these MNCs should have corporate governance structures that avoid or at least minimise such occurences but the truth is that most dont really give a flying fcuk as long as profits are declared every year.

Methinks that the onus is on the government as a matter of sovereign responsibility to make sure that the interests of its citizens is put above financial gains. For instance, Shell operates in Ireland- Corrib project in Mayo, but their operations are subject to carefully formulated regulations and the Shell will be held accountable if they violate them. Essentially, while I concur that Shell and several other MNCs have questions to answer, the bulk of the blame should go to the Nigerian government.