Below is Esther Kiobel’s Acceptance Speech as she was being recognised by Amnesty International for her role in human rights defence at the weekend at this year’s Human Rights Conference in Washington DC.
Good morning ladies and gentlemen!
I am very happy for this recognition by Amnesty International, the distinguished world-class organization in the forefront of the fight for freedom, justice and human rights. It is an unbelievable and an amazing honor. Thank you!
It has been a very hard road and a long journey in the fight for my fundamental rights, and on behalf of my late husband, Hon. Dr. Barinem Nubari Kiobel and other distinguished Ogonis, who have suffered the most horrific abuses, or murdered by the former Nigerian junta to help their exclusive collaborators – Shell Oil Corporation – continue the exploitation of Nigerian crude oil resources under the most reckless human rights abuses ever imagined.
In the process I have been beaten, spat at, shamefully tortured, stripped in public, put in jail without charges, and labeled insane for standing up for my rights. One of my husband’s captors even demanded sex in return for allowing me to bring my husband food, when my husband was unjustly detained, held in deplorable conditions, and eventually murdered after an unfair trial for something he did not do.
When I said NO, I did so for dignity, self-respect and honor. All women deserve to be treated as such no matter the circumstances they face in life!
Since then, it has been a worthwhile fight for freedom against oppressive regimes and lawless Corporations around the world. I will not stop fighting for freedom, justice, and human rights because that is what Amnesty International stands for and that’s what my late husband and I believe in. I am happy to see many youths at the forefront of human rights today. May God Bless you and keep you safe as you fight for your rights, and the rights of others.
Please let me thank some individuals that have supported this long fight, though time will not permit me to mention them all. Mr. Carey Davino, he has been a tremendous help, consistent supporter and tireless advocate. Some others worth mentioning are:
- Paul Hoffman,
- Erica Razook,
- Katie Redford,
- Bishop Desmond Tutu,
- Christian organizations,
- Harvard Law Students, and other Law students and scholars, as well as the National Catholic Reporters, etc.
Thank you very much AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL FOR THIS GREAT HONOR! AND GOD BLESS YOU!!!
– ESTHER KIOBEL
Please see below for pictures of Esther Kiobel from the event.
Details about the programme can be found at the Amnesty International USA website
More stories on Esther Kiobel and the Shell Vs Kiobel’s case could be found here.