We Condemn Human Rights Violation: ExxonMobil

www.acehkita.com

June 8, 2005

The biggest oil and gas company in the world ExxonMobil said it strongly condemns violation against human rights either those committed by institutions or individual. The statement followed a resolution issued by the shareholders of the company ordering the company to review its relation with Indonesian military and stop its contribution to the country’s security forces.

“We have clearly stated our stance regarding human right issues and we also have drawn strict code of conduct to deal with those issues. We do not believe that the Aceh case is in anyway separated from the others,” ExxonMobil Indonesia public Affairs manager Dewa Rachman said in a statement as obtained by Acehkita (6/7).

He however added the resolution that requires the management to report its conduct with the military was rejected by majority (92.4%) shareholders.

During the annual shareholders meeting in Texas on May 25, several shareholders grouped under the New York Pension System questioned board of directors on how they dealt with human rights issues in Aceh. The shareholders who were concerned with gross human rights violation in Aceh also demanded the company review its relation with the Indonesian military.

The resolution was backed by 7.6% shareholders of the total 488 million shares worth $27 billion. Although small, the 7.6% support for the resolution was higher than 6% support of a resolution on the adoption of human rights principle on the ExxonMobil code of conduct as proposed by the Amnesty International. The 7.6% support was also higher than the 5.4% support for proposal on compensation and bonuses for board of commissioners and only slightly lower than 8.8% support on reduction on global warming as proposed by the Christian Brother.

Under the resolution, ExxonMobil management is required to report to the shareholder any potential risks and costs arising from the payment to the Indonesian military forces TNI.

One of the representatives of the shareholders, Elena Acosta of Antioch New England Graduate School faculty of Senate urged the company to give compensation to Acehnese community where ExxonMobil conducts activities. She also asked the company to be responsible for the atrocities committed by Indonesian soldiers who received contribution from the company.

“We are committed to shareholders and we want to unsure that the company is not involved in crime against humanity,” she said in statement as released by International Labor Right Fund.

In response to the demand EMOI said that the company had adopted voluntary principle on human rights and security. “We have practiced the principle since 1999 when Exxon and Mobil Oil were merged into ExxonMobil. “It was the turning point (in our conduct of human rights affairs),” Dewa said.

He denied accusation that Exxon gave funds to Indonesian military like those done by the Freeport Indonesia in Papua. “It is the responsibility of the government. We are not involved in military affairs,” he remarked.

In an effort to gain support from other shareholders the New York Pension Fund delivered a sticker picturing oil bloods that reads “Do you want blood in your bank account [dan/dk]


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