PRESS RELEASE NGOs call out to Perenco: end the opacity to put a stop to the impunity of the multinational
POLICY BRIEF 28 july 2021
Entreprises et droits humains : Tunisie doit made se saisir pleinement instruments internationaux July 28, 2021La - In a letter public today,des Sherpa, Friends of the Earth France and Avocats sans Frontières call the oil company Perenco S.A out. Our associations denounce the opacity of Perenco group’s organization and operation, as well as the absence of any information on the way the French company takes into account the social and environmental consequences of its activities abroad. While its activities are regularly criticized for their negative impacts on the environment and human rights, the multinational seems to be favoring this opacity, which would allow it to continue operating with impunity. Perenco group is a family-owned company specializing in the extraction of oil wells at the end of their life. Although little known to the public, numerous reports denounce serious environmental and human rights abuses in the various countries where the group's companies operate. [1] Violations have been repeatedly reported in various countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tunisia, Guatemala or Ecuador. This could point to a systemic and generalized way of operating as well as an utter absence of effective social and environmental policy. [2] The group is organized in a myriad of shell companies, most of which are registered in tax havens such as the Virgin Islands, Bermuda and the Bahamas, [3] where access to information is completely blocked. [4] Due to the lack of transparency, it is extremely difficult to find information about the group’s organization and operation, in particular with respect to the links between the French company Perenco S.A. and the companies operating abroad. While Perenco S.A., which is headquartered in France, denies any control over the other group’s companies when questioned about the damages resulting from its activity abroad, the group does not hesitate to claim French nationality in other circumstances. [5] The lack of transparency makes it almost impossible to access information that would allow legal action to be taken against companies responsible for environmental damages or human rights violations that may result from their economic activities abroad. According to our information, it is indeed Perenco S.A., through its corporate policy, that controls activities carried out abroad. As such, this policy would constitute the event giving rise to the potential damages. Faced with this