Amnesty International on June 13 said that the Nigerian government's pardon for the Ogoni Nine falls "far short of real justice." The rights group published the statement in response to the government's decision two days earlier to posthumously exonerate the Nine.

The Ogoni Nine were a group of environmental activists who campaigned against Shell oil company and the Nigerian central government for the destructive impacts of oil production in the Ogoniland region of the Niger Delta. After brutally suppressing protests in the region, the government accused the Ogoni Nine of murder. The nine men were convicted after what rights groups called an unfair trial and executed in 1995.

Isa Sanusi, director of Amnesty International Nigeria, welcomed the decision to pardon the activists but noted that much more needs to be done for the local communities, asserting that Shell's activities in the region have left toxic pollution, affecting the health and livelihoods of many of the 30 million people living in the Niger Delta. According to Amnesty International, more than 13,500 Niger Delta residents have filed claims against Shell over the past decade.

Relatives of the Ogoni Nine have also accused Shell of complicity in the unlawful detention and execution of the activists. The family members took their case to the US and the Netherlands, but both courts held in favor of Shell.

Shell's activities continue to cause severe environmental problems in the region. Last year, 40 Nigerian and international non-governmental organizations published a joint letter, charging that at least 17.5 million liters of oil leaked from Shell-related pipelines between 2011 and 2017. The letter also criticized Shell for using "legal gymnastics," such as selling its subsidiaries, to escape responsibility for its wrongdoings.

The Niger Delta communities currently have ongoing claims against Shell in the UK.

From JURIST, June 15. Used with permission.

See our feature "Slippery Justice for Victims of Oil Spills: Nigerian Villagers Lose Lawsuit Against an Oil Giant"