Thankfully, the activists have now been released. But for StopEACOP defenders, violence from state authorities is getting worse. Activists are facing intimidation, harassment, surveillance, arrests, and even abductions – for simply exercising their right to protest and for asserting themselves as legitimate stakeholders in the future of their country and the development of their communities. These Ugandan University youth activists were calling on Chinese firms to invest in renewable energy initiatives rather than #EACOP & other fossil fuel projects.
For months, frontline activists have protested China’s support for the pipeline. And state violence towards them has continued to get worse in that time. We cannot remain silent. It’s time to act and make our collective voice heard.
The EACOP oil project stretches nearly 1445km from Uganda to Tanzania and is devastating local communities. If completed, it would also be disastrous for our climate.2
TotalEnergies is French-owned and has close ties to the French government. They are very sensitive to public opinion. A global public outcry to both France and China condemning this violence would show that the world is watching. Together, let’s demand an immediate end to the ongoing attacks on land, human rights and environmental defenders.
Stand in solidarity with EACOP activists now: Click here to create a Tweet calling on the French and Chinese Ambassadors to step in and end the violence towards activists
We’re targeting the French Ambassador via X/Twitter as this visible public pressure is important to bring public attention to the issue. X is also where journalists, StopEACOP activists and Ambassadors are. You can also repost this 350 Tweet and if you’re not on X, you can take action on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or send an Email to the French Embassy in Uganda using the suggested message below (or your own message):
“The violence and abuse that peaceful #StopEACOP activists face in Uganda is unacceptable. We know you support this disastrous TotalEnergies project. Will you intervene? The world is watching.”
We can’t let intimidation stifle the voices of those who defend our planet and human rights!
In solidarity,
Zaki for 350.org and StopEACOP
Sources:
1. EACOP Protest: Police arrest 47 University students – The Independent
2. ‘Monstrous’ east African oil project will emit vast amounts of carbon, data shows – The Guardian
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