Aker BP stands accused of enabling Lundin Energy’s shareholders to get away with war crimes. A group of South Sudanese and European organizations have now formally complained with the Norwegian National Contact Point (NCP) that Aker’s deal with Lundin breaches its duties under the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises that both Norway and Aker BP have committed to.
The complainants submit that Aker BP and Aker ASA did not consider the human rights consequences of their deal, that Lundin Energy will no longer be able to repair the harm that it inflicted on people in South Sudan. They argue that through the deal, Aker BP acquires the duty to ensure that Lundin’s debt to the victims of war crimes will be paid.
According to the Swedish public prosecutor, Lundin Energy has been complicit in systematic attacks on civilians with ground and air forces, massive destruction of property, and the use of hunger as a weapon of war. An estimated 12,000 people died as a result. Lundin Energy made a fortune in South Sudan and did not pay attention to the survivors. Aker BP’s acquisition will strip Lundin Energy of the means to come clear with its South Sudanese legacy and will forever deny victims of war crimes their right to redress. Nevertheless, Aker BP’s shareholders and Aker ASA approved the acquisition on 5 April and the Government of Norway recently cleared the controversial transaction. With Aker BP’s acquisition, Lundin Energy’s shareholders, most notably the family Lundin, will disconnect their wealth from the crimes that helped to make them rich..
Read the formal complaint against Aker ASA submitted with the Norwegian National Contact Point (NCP).
Read the formal complaint against Aker BP submitted with the Norwegian National Contact Point (NCP).
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