Confronting Mobil's Abuse of Acheh

Date sent: Fri, 19 Nov 2004

Members of Peace Action Wellington (PAW) held a demonstration outside Exxon Mobil's offices on Lambton Quay at lunchtime today (Thursday, 18th November). Mobil is responsible for contaminating drinking water in Acheh. The people of Acheh have been struggling for independence from Indonesia for many years. At the same time as being oppressed by the brutal Indonesian army, multinational corporations such as Exxon Mobil exploit and destroy Acheh. Banners were held, leaflets handed out (see below) and slogans and bodies chalked on the ground and 'decorated' with blood.

The people of Acheh have been suffering under brutal Indonesian rule for decades. On Monday 2nd November 2004, 32 Achehnese families staged a protest against the company for the destruction they had caused as Mobil had destroyed their drinking water and supported the Indonesian army.

The Achehnese community of New Zealand demands the following: 1. Exxon Mobil must stop discharging its chemical toxic waste into the community's lands and the surrounding environment. 2. Exxon Mobil must pay compensation to those affected by the chemical toxic waste contaminated water. 3. Exxon Mobil must pay for medical treatment for the health problems Achehnese have suffered from using contaminated water for drinking and bathing. 4. Exxon Mobil must allow the Achehnese to inspect the waste disposal of the company to make sure that it complies with the environmental regulations. 5. Exxon Mobil must allow an independent investigation into its involvement in providing equipment to support the Indonesian army, such as tractors to dig mass graves.

To find out more check out: http://www.laborrights.org/projects/corporate/exxon/index.html www.converge.org.nz/pma/aceh.html www.acheh-eye.org

What can you do? Contact Mobil, let them know you oppose what they have done in Indonesia.

Or contact Peace Action Wellington to become involved peacewellington (at) hotmail.com http://paw.randomstatic.net/

-- "When you make politics into a lifeless thing, a joyless thing, a dreadful responsibility, it becomes just another weight upon people, rather than a means to lift weight from people." - 'Days of war, Nights of Love' - Nadia C.

ENDS