Rosenthal: ‘Shell not at fault in Syria’
Author: Radio Netherlands Worldwide, Published on: 29 June 2011
[According to a statement by Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal], Shell oil shipments to Syria do not violate European Union sanctions against the country...[and its] activities in Syria are not at odds with guidelines for socially responsible business practices...[Two] Dutch parties pointed out that the Syrian army, police and other security forces probably use oil products to cut off cities and attack their citizens [and asked for clarification from the Foreign Minister]...Shell Nederland CEO Dick Benschop said earlier that Shell as a commercial company cannot get involved in the local politics of the countries it is active in...IKV Pax Christi General Director Jan Gruiters said no company could stay neutral “when human rights are systematically being trampled on.” In its code of conduct, Shell states it will respect human rights in all its business activities...The ministry said it would ask Shell about its conduct in the current Syrian context. [Refers to SSPD (Syria Shell Petroleum Development)].
Related companies: Shell