India mine row embroils Church of England
By Alastair Lawson
BBC News
The idea that there could be any connection between one of India's most remote and inaccessible areas and the Church of England seems improbable, at first glance.
High in the monsoon mists in eastern India, witch doctors in the Niyamgiri hills still make sacrifices to the gods and tribes believe the hills are sacred.
It is a world away from the quiet corridors of Church House - the headquarters of the Church of England in London.
But campaigners say that the lives of indigenous people in India are under threat because of a mining project involving a UK company, in which the Church of England has a £2.5m ($4.1m) stake.
Destroying wildlife
The church has been condemned by campaign groups such as ActionAid and Survival International for investing in the Vedanta company, which is about to start mining bauxite -used for making aluminium - to feed what could become one of the world's biggest refineries nearby.
We don't need a foreign multinational to move into our area and promise jobs and development that are not required.
The company, Vedanta, is also accused of forcing tribal people off the land, damaging the environment and destroying wildlife.
All this on the face of it is highly embarrassing for the Church, which is why its Ethical Investment Advisory Group spokesman Edward Mason chooses his words carefully as he explains that there are no plans at present to withdraw the investment in Vedanta.
"For certain sensitive industries such as mining companies we have a three-year monitoring and engagement process," he said.
"Where we have concerns that standards do not conform to norms of corporate behaviour we prefer to talk to them and bring about change that way."
The church acknowledges that the allegations are "serious".
ActionAid has brought over a member of the Dongria Kondh tribal community to London, to make the case against the mine at Vedanta's annual general meeting in London on Monday. A single share has been bought to enable Sitaram Kulisika to speak at the meeting.
He argues that the mining plans will endanger his community's livelihood.
Full Article Here
BBC News
The idea that there could be any connection between one of India's most remote and inaccessible areas and the Church of England seems improbable, at first glance.
High in the monsoon mists in eastern India, witch doctors in the Niyamgiri hills still make sacrifices to the gods and tribes believe the hills are sacred.
It is a world away from the quiet corridors of Church House - the headquarters of the Church of England in London.
But campaigners say that the lives of indigenous people in India are under threat because of a mining project involving a UK company, in which the Church of England has a £2.5m ($4.1m) stake.
Destroying wildlife
The church has been condemned by campaign groups such as ActionAid and Survival International for investing in the Vedanta company, which is about to start mining bauxite -used for making aluminium - to feed what could become one of the world's biggest refineries nearby.
We don't need a foreign multinational to move into our area and promise jobs and development that are not required.
The company, Vedanta, is also accused of forcing tribal people off the land, damaging the environment and destroying wildlife.
All this on the face of it is highly embarrassing for the Church, which is why its Ethical Investment Advisory Group spokesman Edward Mason chooses his words carefully as he explains that there are no plans at present to withdraw the investment in Vedanta.
"For certain sensitive industries such as mining companies we have a three-year monitoring and engagement process," he said.
"Where we have concerns that standards do not conform to norms of corporate behaviour we prefer to talk to them and bring about change that way."
The church acknowledges that the allegations are "serious".
ActionAid has brought over a member of the Dongria Kondh tribal community to London, to make the case against the mine at Vedanta's annual general meeting in London on Monday. A single share has been bought to enable Sitaram Kulisika to speak at the meeting.
He argues that the mining plans will endanger his community's livelihood.
Full Article Here
Comment
-
Comment by Marklar on July 26, 2009 at 9:49pm
-
"Where we have concerns that standards do not conform to norms of corporate behaviour we prefer to talk to them and bring about change that way."
Well, pushing people off their land and destroying the environment ARE the norms of corporate behavior so I'm willing to guess they will pass muster.
"Destroying the New World Order"
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE SITE!
Latest Activity
- Top News
- Everything
The Real Explanation of the Mystery Drones over New Jersey Pt. II
One pilot who studied as a flight engineer before qualifying as a combat pilot spent 11 years…See More
propaganda: DIVIDE & CONQUER (1942) - Warner Bros. vs Hitler
Not to be confused with the much drier Frank Capra film from 1943.A "Broadway Brevity", released August 1, 1942. Vitaphone #1022-1023A.Transferred from 16mm.
Thumbs down - ship gone.
" So this sort of stupidity has occurred before. Norway or NZ - Who did it better? Cast your…"
Prime clown idiot of the year.
" Stay tuned this prime clown might just resign from his own circus as his Finance Minister…"
The Orb & David Gilmour - Metallic Spheres In Colour: Movement 1 - Excerpt (4K Official Music Video)
The 2010 album Metallic Spheres by The Orb and David Gilmour has been reimagined and remixed as Metallic Spheres In Colour. Out now: https://theorbdg.lnk.to/...
The Real Explanation of the Mystery Drones over New Jersey
Keep in mind all of the possible implications around the drones reportedly as big as cars being…See More
Capitol Punishment - The Movie (Updated Trailer)
Order on DVD or Stream it Now: https://givemelibertynow.org/product/capitol-punishment/Told through the eyes of the people who were there on the ground, Capi...
© 2024 Created by truth.
Powered by
You need to be a member of 12160 Social Network to add comments!
Join 12160 Social Network