The Aboriginal claim is supported by various environmental groups, with Senator Scott Ludlam of the Green Party arguing that, given the area’s high propensity for flooding and earthquakes, the proposed dump sit constitutes a danger to the public health. Under relevant legislation, the Federal Government will be obligated to provide compensation to native peoples whose lands are affected by the creation of the facility. However, this has not satisfied the government of The Northern Territory, who argue their constitutional weakness (not being a full state) is being exploited by the Federal Government. For those affected, financial compensation is unlike to redress the harm inflicted.

By John Greany

Read: Phil Mercer, BBC.co.uk, (3rd March 2010), ‘Australia debates unclear waste’. Available here
Oliver Milman, guardian.co.uk, (13th March 2012), ‘Australia passes controversial nuclear waste bill’. Available here

It is alleged that the brewers, including Molson Coors brewing company and SAB Miller, were aware that the drink would be smuggled into the reservation. According to Tom White, the lawyer acting for the tribe, “the defendants have failed to make reasonable efforts to ensure their products are distributed and sold in obedience to the laws of the State of Nebraska and the Oglala Sioux Tribe…..you cannot sell 4.9 million cans of beer and wash your hands like Pontius Pilate”.

By John Greany

Read: Grant Schulte. (2011). Tribe suing beer companies for alcohol problems. Available: Tribe suing beer companies for alcohol problems. Last accessed 15 February 2011.

By Geordie Fung

Read: McKenzie v Minister for Lands, December 6th 2011

SERAP is an NGO founded in 2004 designed to promote human rights through accountability and transparency in the public and private sectors. Corruption is systemic in Nigeria, which disenfranchises citizens and exaggerates inequalities that reduce potential for development. Nigeria returned to civilian government in 1999, after decades under military rule. However, corruption has remained prevalent, and recent national elections have been subject to international condemnation for allegations of violence and voter fraud.

By Matt Little

Read: Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) Nigeria (2011)

Protesters claimed that oil spills damaged crops, killed livestock and led to an increase in cancer cases in the local area. The Ecuadorian campaigners intend for the case to be used as a precedent, encouraging companies to working in developing countries to implement the same anti-pollution standards as in the industrialised world. The Ecuadorian ruling is still subject to appeal by Chevron’s lawyers, and the case is ongoing.

By Matt Little

Read: Chevron Takes Offensive Again After Appellate Defeat. Adam Klasfeld (2011)

Read: Chevron fined $8bn over Amazon ‘contamination’. Dominic Rushe and Rory Carroll (2011)

Read: CHEVRON’S MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT OF ITS MOTION FOR AN ORDER OF ATTACHMENT AND OTHER RELIEF

The dam, if constructed, would become the third largest in the world, flooding approximately 40,000 hectares of rainforest. With an estimated cost of $11 billion, the dam is designed to produce 11,000 megawatts of electricity, representing more than 10% of Brazil’s current capacity. Legal challenges to the dam have been ongoing for decades, and opponents intend to bring the current issue before the national Supreme Court.

By Matt Little

Read: Brazil court refuses to stop work on Amazon dam. Agence France-Presse (2011)

Read: SHARE: print Indigenous do not have right to free, prior and informed consultation on Amazon dam, rules Brazilian court. Monga Bay (2011)

Read: Brazilian Dam Gets Court Approval. Jon Walton (2011)

Read: SHARE: print Indigenous do not have right to free, prior and informed consultation on Amazon dam, rules Brazilian court. Monga Bay (2011)

According to Mr. Anderson, the land grants provided by Queen Victoria at the time were more extensive than it was first thought. The sovereignty of Aboriginal nations and people was recognised in the act as well as the authority of the Aboriginal chiefs. However, Mr. Anderson states that the order was ignored by the colonial governments.

The jurisdiction of the Australian government is already being disputed in court cases involving indigenous people. Moreover, activists are now asking Queen Elizabeth II to respect the legislation set out by the 1875 Act and to decolonise Australia.

By Ivonna Beches

Read the Pacific Islanders Protection Amendment Act, 1875

It was concluded that the construction of the dam could have a destructive effect on the ability of the indigenous people in the region to navigate freely, catch fish and raise crops. Moreover, it is likely that during the low water season, the dam will only produce 1000 MW of power although its installed capacity is 11,233 MW.

The court hearing was temporarily interrupted by Judge Sebastiao Fagundes de Deus who requested more time to review the law suit’s documentation, but a final judicial vote is expected to be taken within weeks.

By Ivonna Beches

Read the judgement: Ementa Julgamento BM

Two investigating magistrates were appointed to the case to investigate purchases made by the leaders, and their families, which were allegedly in excess of their legal financial capabilities.  The investigation looked at properties, bank accounts, and cars purchased in France by relatives of the Presidents.  The French Public Prosecutor has refused to extend the mandate of the investigation, requested by the investigating judges, to include purchases of expensive cars made by the leaders’ sons in 2009 and 2010.  TI France and SHERPA have filed a complaint to bypass the Public Prosecutor’s attempt to block the case.

Transparency International France Supreme Court Decision Nov 9th 2010

By Matt Little