Ten Arakanese, who led a recent protest programme against the Chinese National Petroleum Cooperation (CNPC)…were produced before the court…The primary allegation against the 10 leading villagers was that they led a mass protest against the Chinese petroleum…in Madae without the government permission. The anti-CNPC protest demonstration was attended by over 800 villagers…Madae Island emerges as a central place where the CNPC is operating for the Shwe gas project and engaging in the constriction of oil tanks, deep sea port for oil tankers and other relevant infrastructures under the project. The residents of the island have been raising voices against the Shwe Gas project as they continue facing various problems like confiscation of agricultural lands, environmental damages and prohibition in fishing. [Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited CNPC to respond. CNPC has indicated that it is investigating the issue and will respond at a later date; we will indicate whether the company responds in next week’s Update.]