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BTC Pipeline Update: Environmental and Human Rights Violations

British Petroleum is in an ominous position outside the laws of the countries through which its pipeline runs. The Host Government Agreements (HGAs) with Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, position BP outside the authority of any laws which may potentially decrease the profitability of the pipeline. BP considers itself so much above the law, however, that they have still violated a combination of IFC and EBRD standards, Turkish Laws, and EIA directives on 173 counts. In fact, the HGAs necessitate that BP adhere to World Bank guidelines and so the disregard for these standards has led to a breach in the HGAs as well. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the project lacked sufficient investigation of the impact on the flora and fauna of the area or the impact the project will have on climate change. Construction of the pipeline has come with unnecessary hazards, such as the unsuccessful experimentation with Sealant SPC 2888 as a pipe coating. Such issues with the pipeline have led to protests by local people. Since the pipeline is under military protection, though, these protests have become skirmishes between villagers and their government, increasing hostility in countries already defined by political tension. In May 2004, Ferhat Kaya, a leader of the protests, was arrested and allegedly beaten by local police. Below are news articles documenting the BTC pipeline’s record with the environment and human rights.

News 2005:

Campaigners Demand Independent Inquiry into Allegations over Controversial Pipeline [Word Document] February 18, 2004 Press release: Baku-Ceyhan Campaign,
The Cornerhouse, Friends of the Earth, Kurdish Human Rights Project, PLATFORM - "Oil Giant BP Accused of Major Corruption and Cover-Up."

New Reports Find BTC Pipeline Unsafe May 24, 2005 by Friends of the Earth International & CEE Bankwatch

Casualties of the Oil Stampede Along the BTC June 15, 2005

BP's Timebomb June 2, 2005

Russians Skeptical About BTC June 2, 2005

BTC Avoids Risks of Russia May 26, 2005

Critic of ECA-Backed BTC Pipeline Detained February 17, 2005

News 2004:

UK Admits Pipeline Failure Due to Experimental Engineering November 23, 2004

BTC Pipeline Riddled with Corrosion November 17, 2004

Whistleblowers Reveal BTC Pipeline Construction Failures June 26, 2004

Report Exposes Leaky BTC Pipeline February 18, 2004

News 2003:

Complaint filed on BTC Pipeline May 2003

BTC Pipeline under fire May 2003 Cornerhouse; PLATFORM; Campagna per la Riforma della Banca Mondiale; Kurdish Human Rights Project release a detailed fact-finding mission report on the controversial BP-led Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline project, and call for an immediate moratorium on the project. According to the Mission, the pipeline not only breaches international standards but also threatens human rights abuses. The BTC pipeline is potentially supported by ECAs from the U.S. (Exim Bank), Italy (SACE), Britian (ECGD), France (COFACE), Germany (Hermes), Japan (JBIC).

Campaigners Urge Moratorium on BP Pipeline April 2003

BTC Fact-Finders Harassed by Turkish Police March 25, 2003

For more information, contact the ECA Watch Facilitator.

ECA Watch Campaign Member Links:

CEE Bankwatch - BTC Page

PLATFORM (a UK "meeting place" for artists and activists) - BTC Page