The Oil Industry and Human Rights in the Niger Delta - EarthRights ...

Video records, eyewitness testimony, and the photographic evidence of injuries treated inthe emergency section at Warri General Hospital provide dramatic proof that the JTFengaged in unnecessary and illegal brutality in suppressing the protests. Male protesterssuffered open head wounds, major lacerations, and injuries to their limbs. 102 A videotapeshows security personnel beating a man whose hands are tied, using the butt of a rifle. 103Protesters reported receiving beatings to the head and other parts of the body, even whiletrying to surrender. 104One protester told investigators:“[The soldiers] had big guns, but they used tear gas, and some of the security staffhad iron rods and knives, too. When soldiers began shooting, I bent downbegging to be spared, and that was when I was hit by the bottom of a gun by threemen. I fainted… since then my head is really sore and it hurts.” 105Conversely, Chevron never made public any evidence to support their allegations that theprotesters were armed, or that they injured security personnel and caused widespreaddamage to Escravos facilities. 106The record is clear that Chevron had a good deal of control over the operation of the JTFduring this time period in general, and during the protest in particular. JTF oftenoperated at Escravos, and members received allowances and transportation from Chevronthat often amounted to as much or more than a soldier’s daily wage. 107 In 2004, Chevronhad invited the leadership of the JTF at Escravos to participate in its training for securitypersonnel; attendance was not required, however, even though the JTF formed an integralpart of Chevron’s security procedures. 108 In fact, the intervention of the JTF during theEscravos protest was not unplanned—once the facility’s security had been breached onthe morning of February 4, established security protocols went into effect that includedthe return of all employees to their residential units and the transfer of control oversecurity at the facility to government forces. 109July 2008, Aja-Omaetan CommunityIn July 2008 the Aja-Omaetan community in Warri North of Delta State petitioned theDelta State Governor, accusing Chevron of deploying heavily armed security forces tothe area following agitation by local people. The community was protesting against thedetrimental human and environmental impacts of gas flaring from Chevron’s Dibi Field.They urged the state governor to urgently intervene to stave off imminent bloodshed in102 Id. at 9.103 Id. at 7-8104 Id. at 7.105 Id., at 7.106 Id. at 8.107 Id. at 13.108 Id. at 11.109 Id. at 6.Page 22 of 29