By Tony Cruz, Amnesty’s Business & Human Rights Group
Gas is flaring in the Niger Delta. © Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP/Getty Images
On May 25, 2011, I attended Chevron’s Annual Shareholder’s Meeting representing Amnesty International. This is the 4th meeting I’ve attended but much has changed since 2005.
With the recent 9 billion dollar class action verdict in Ecuador (and last year’s arrests in Houston), security was high and there were real questions as to whether or not the international delegation of NGOs would be allowed in. Fortunately, after an extensive security check, which makes TSA like a walk in the park, we were all allowed in to speak.
During the Q & A portion of the meeting, I addressed Chairman John Watson on the use of gas flaring in the Niger Delta; a technology that has led to serious health related issues and environmental contamination: