A class action lawsuit filed by South Pacific islanders seeking reparations for human rights abuses committed by Rio Tinto could reach trial within two years.
The Los Angeles District Court has ruled that, due to the “universal” nature of Rio Tinto’s crimes, Bougainville islanders do not need to exhaust legal options in Papua New Guinea and, under the US Alien Tort Claims Act, can seek legal remedy for crimes against humanity, war crimes and racial discrimination committed by the mining giant in the 1980s and 1990s.
The plaintiffs allege that Rio Tinto created extensive environmental damage at its Bougainville mine, paid Black workers less than white counterparts and instigated a violent civil war, leading to the deaths of roughly 10% of the island’s population.
A news release issued by the law office of Seattle-based Hagens-Berman, says that General Singirok, former commander of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) during the alleged atrocities in the 1990s, has said that “PNGDF was Rio Tinto’s personal security force and was order to take action by any means necessary.”
At Rio Tinto’s April 2008 Annual General Meeting, Chairman Paul Skinner dismissed concerns regarding the company’s complicity in atrocities at the Bougainville mine, explaining, “There will always be isolated cases where people object to the progress of economic activity. I am not aware of where we are flying in the face of opposition.”
Now Rio Tinto has an opportunity to argue their case in a federal court.
Rio Tinto has faced similar allegations of extensive human rights abuses at its massive Grasberg Mine, in neighboring West Papua, which it operates with US-based Freeport McMoRan. This year, the company acknowledged that it continues to illegally pay the Indonesian military to protect its mining interests in West Papua.
At Grasberg, the Australian Council on Overseas Aid found mine security and military personnel were responsible for the “disappearances” of 22 civilians and torturing of 13 others between 1994 and 1995. Rio Tinto acknowledged paying the Indonesian military $4.7 million in 2001 and $5.6 million in 2002 for its services.
In September 2008, the Government of Norway, formerly one of Rio Tinto’s largest shareholders, divested a roughly $800 million stake in the company, calling Rio Tinto’s activities at the Grasberg Mine, in West Papua, “grossly unethical.”
LSMN
Eve Divine
doncorvette
