UPDATE – Friends of the Earth International Chair and Dutch Parliamentarian released

After being detained in Nigeria yesterday by the Joint Military Task Force, Friends of the Earth International Chair Nnimmo Bassey and Dutch MP Sharon Gesthuizen were released today (20 December).

According to the latest reports from Nigeria, all Friends of the Earth staff and parlamentarians have been released and are fine.

Duncan McLaren, Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “When Nnimmo Bassey visited Scotland last year he was welcomed by the Scottish Government, and invited to speak at their conference on Climate Change and Human Rights.

“However, it is distressing that when European parliamentarians and diplomats visit Nigeria to see the problems of the Niger Delta first hand, in the company of Mr Bassey, they should face this unacceptable violation of their human rights by the Joint Military Task Force.

“We are delighted to hear of their release today, and are calling for a full apology and an investigation into how this incident came about.”

ENDS

For more information please contact:

Per Fischer, Press Office, Friends of the Earth Scotland
t: 0131 243 2719

Notes to Editors

Earlier PR: Friends of the Earth International Chair and Dutch Parliamentarian among group detained in Nigeria www.foe-scotland.org.uk/news201210

Dutch Parliament Probes Shell’s Activities in N’Delta www.thisdayonline.info/nview.php?id=190305

Dutch Parliament plans public hearing on Niger Delta crisis. nigeriansabroadlive.com/dutch-parliament-plans-public-hearing-on-niger-delta-crisis

Nnimmo Bassey received the Right Livelihood Award in Stockholm in earlier this year http://www.eraction.org/component/content/article/257

Friends of the Earth Scotland exists to help people in Scotland look after the planet for everyone’s future. We think globally and act locally in Scotland, delivering solutions to climate change by enabling and empowering people to take both individual and collective action. We offer help to people with the big things in life – helping to sustain a healthy society and environment. We believe that all of our children’s futures will be better because of what we do. www.foe-scotland.org.uk