AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL Chad-Cameroon pipeline

international | rights, freedoms and repression | other press Wednesday September 07, 2005 14:02 by wl

Contracting out of human rights

The report finds that the legal agreements governing the project place a ‘price tag’ on human rights by creating financial disincentives for the governments of Chad and Cameroon to protect human rights. The agreements may require the two countries to pay large financial penalties if they interrupt the operation of the pipeline or oil-fields – even when making an intervention to protect rights and enforce laws that apply elsewhere in their countries. This makes it extremely difficult for Chad and Cameroon to take action against company malpractice, and for individuals adversely affected by the pipeline to obtain redress.