The EU parliament on September 15 adopted a resolution denouncing the human rights violations as well as the major environmental and climate risks posed by the Tilenga and EACOP projects, developed by French oil major Total in Uganda and Tanzania.
The European Members of Parliament (MEPs) noted that more than 100 000 persons are being forcibly evicted to make space for this mega oil project, noting that they are being deprived from the free use of their land – and so, from their livelihood - even before receiving a compensation.
The resolution also speaks out against the persecution and intimidation faced by civil society organisations and human rights defenders who dare criticise the project, recalling that several HRDs have been arbitrarily detained, motivating several UN Special Rapporteurs to send no less than four joint communications in the last two years on this issue.
The MPs said there should be an "end to the extractive activities in protected and sensitive ecosystems, including the shores of Lake Albert."
They were referring to the 132 wells that Total plans to dig into the Murchison Falls National Park, a protected area, and to the numerous protected ecosystems which the 50°C heated EACOP pipeline will cross.
Juliette Renaud, senior campaigner on corporate accountability with Friends of the Earth France, welcomed the move.
"It sends a strong political message against the Tilenga and EACOP projects, whose human, environmental and climate costs are undeniable and simply unacceptable. This resolution echoes the increasing mobilisation of civil society in East Africa, in France and worldwide," she said.
In 2019, Friends of the Earth France, together with Survie and four Ugandan NGOs, filed a lawsuit against Total, concerning the serious human rights violations and risks of irreversible environmental damages associated to the Tilenga and EACOP projects.
After a two years-long procedural battle, the case should be heard on the merits starting October 12 this year, before the Paris civil court.
