"Both ENDS brings legal action against Dutch dredging company on behalf of fisherfolk in South Sulawesi," 1 Sep 2020

Environment and human rights organisation Both ENDS is bringing legal action against Boskalis, after the Dutch dredging company continually ignored requests for information on a controversial sand extraction project in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Boskalis is extracting sand off the coast of Sulawesi for expansion of the port in the capital, Makassar. The extraction activities are affecting fishing grounds, making it impossible for local fisherfolk to earn their livelihoods...

Through the legal action, Both ENDS wants the court to order Boskalis to provide information on the project, including the social and environmental risks. "This information will provide an insight into the risks that the project poses for the fishermen," says Hazekamp. "That will give them a more equal position and allow them to defend their rights."

As far as is known, this is the first time that a Dutch court has been asked to rule on whether a Dutch company active abroad can be obliged to provide information to direct stakeholders if their rights are being violated.