Antinous the Gay GodđȘ· 13 Nov is the feast of #Feronia, goddess of wildlife, feral stray animals and escaped or freed slaves. As liberator of slaves and freedmen, she is worshiped in rural wilderness sanctuaries. Her festival, the #Feroniae, is celebrated during the Plebeian Games (Ludi Plebeii). đȘ·
Giuseppe Zolli#PalmOil giant #PHC formerly #Feronia, violently silences environmental defenders in the #DRC #Congo. Protesters arrested, journalist kidnapped, workers left without justice. Take action for #HumanRights #BoycottPalmOil đŽđ« @palmoildetectives https://wp.me/pcFhgU-8xX
Palm Oil DetectivesPalm Oil Protesters Silenced and Arrested in Congo
On April 30, 2024, a shocking and disgraceful incident occurred in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). During a meeting of shareholders from Plantations et Huileries du Congo (PHC), (formerly known as Feronia) environmental rights defenders were arrested, and a journalist was kidnapped after displaying banners denouncing PHCâs mistreatment of local communities. PHC, formerly known as Feronia, is a multinational company that operates large palm oil plantations in the DRC. Take action in solidarity of these people and #BoycottPalmOil when you shop!
In April, environmental defenders in the #DRC were arrested and kidnapped at a shareholder meeting for highlighting #PalmOil #HumanRights abuses đ„đŽâïž Since then no action has been taken! Stand with them đȘ #WorkersRights #BoycottPalmOil https://wp.me/pcFhgU-8xX @palmoildetect
Share to BlueSky Share to Twitter#PalmOil giant #PHC formerly #Feronia, violently silences environmental defenders in the #DRC #Congo. Protesters arrested, journalist kidnapped, workers left without justice. Take action for #HumanRights #BoycottPalmOil đŽđ« @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-8xX
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterZongwe Lukama, F. (2023, May 2). DRC: Mystery and collusion in the disappearance of environmental defenders fighting palm oil multinationals. Kilalo Press. Business and Human Rights Resource Centre has since asked for a company response, but to date none has been forthcoming from the palm oil company.
Arrests and Abduction at PHC Shareholders Meeting
On Tuesday, April 30, 2024, a shocking and disgraceful incident occurred in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). During a meeting of shareholders from Plantations et Huileries du Congo (PHC), environmental rights defenders were arrested, and an environmental journalist was kidnapped after displaying banners denouncing PHCâs mistreatment of local communities. PHC, formerly known as Feronia, is a multinational company that operates large palm oil plantations in the DRC.
Who are Plantations et Huileries du Congo (PHC)?
Plantations et Huileries du Congo (PHC) are a palm oil company that operate extensive palm oil plantations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The company produces palm oil used in many products like food, cosmetics, and biofuels. PHC has faced numerous protests and criticism for its detrimental impact on the environment and local communities.
The people versus Feronia: Fighting palm oil agrocolonialism in the Congo
This powerful #comic is by Didier Kassai and Dieudonne Botoko Kendewa is about a community in the #Congo đšđ© living next to the #Feronia #palmoil plantation. They faced #violenceâŠ
by Palm Oil DetectivesThe Protestersâ Demands
The protest was sparked by a letter from the RĂ©seau dâInformation et dâAppui aux ONG (RIAO â DRC), a network supporting non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the DRC. This letter led PHC to hold an urgent meeting in Kinshasa.
Protesters had several demands:
- Release people who were unjustly imprisoned.
- Compensate workers for accidents and retirees.
- Reopen the Lokutu and Boteka ports, which they argue are public roads, not PHC property.
Call to Action and Strong Suppression
The protesters wanted to push state authorities to act on an open letter from RIAO â DRC and its partners. This letter discussed mediation claims funded by the German Bank (DEG) and the Dutch Development Bank (FMO) to help communities affected by PHC. Unfortunately, security forces were called to stop the protesters, damage their equipment, and kidnap the journalist and environmental defender.
An Urgent Appeal for Support
RIAO-RDC, a national support network for NGOs, made an urgent call to security authorities and stakeholders to find their members, Dieumerci Mpay Ngomba, and a cameraman journalist from Numerica TV in Kinshasa. They called these actions âkidnappingâ and stressed that defenders of forest community rights should not face political or rights abuses.
An Alarming and Unjust Situation for Environmental Defenders
The situation for environmental defenders in the DRC is worrying. RIAO-RDC said Dieumerci was arrested because of a complaint by PHC. At the General Prosecutorâs Office near the Court of Appeal of Kinshasa Gombe, protesters were charged with inciting breaches against public authority under article 135 of the Congolese penal code.
Targeting Environmental Advocates
RIAO-RDC believes that PHC is mainly targeting Jean François Mombia Atukua, who previously led a disguised march against RIAO and its director at the Lokutu base. The organisation urges the judiciary to ensure the safety of those arrested and uphold press freedom and human rights.
Company Response
Following publication PHC did not respond to the Business and Human Rights Resource Centreâs request for comment regarding these allegations.
References
- La RĂ©daction. (2024, May 3). DRC: Mystery and Collusion in the Disappearance of Environmental Defenders Fighting Palm Oil Multinationals. Kilalo Press.
- Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. DRC: Mystery and Collusion in the Disappearance of Environmental Defenders Fighting Palm Oil Multinationals.
- Palm Oil Detectives. (2022, February 3). Research: Small Room for Compromise Between Oil Palm Cultivation and Primate Conservation in Africa.
- Palm Oil Detectives. (2021, September 1). Africaâs Rainforests Are Different: Why It Matters That Theyâre Protected.
- Palm Oil Detectives. (2021, February 14). As Palm Oil Production Ramps Up in Africa, Communities Work to Avoid Problems Plaguing Other Regions.
- Palm Oil Detectives. (2021, January 18). Africa: Species Endangered by Palm Oil Deforestation
- Palm Oil Detectives. (2022, June 16). The People Versus Feronia: Fighting Palm Oil Agrocolonialism in the Congo. https://palmoildetectives.com/2022/06/16/the-people-versus-feronia-fighting-palm-oil-agrocolonialism-in-the-congo/
Zongwe Lukama, F. (2023, May 2). DRC: Mystery and collusion in the disappearance of environmental defenders fighting palm oil multinationals. Kilalo Press. Business and Human Rights Resource Centre has since asked for a company response, but to date none has been forthcoming from the palm oil company.
ENDS
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Take Action in Five Ways
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
Wildlife Artist Juanchi PĂ©rez
Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneoâs Living Beings
Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao
Health Physician Dr Evan Allen
The Worldâs Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert
How do we stop the worldâs ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time youâre in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20
https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20
https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Pledge your support#BoycottPalmOil #BoycottPalmOil #childLabour #childSlavery #Congo #corruption #DemocracticRepublicOfCongo #DRC #Feronia #humanRights #HumanRights #indigenousRights #landRights #landgrabbing #PalmOil #palmoil #PHC #slavery #workersRights #WorkersRights
Stormcrow#introduction #PNW native, #wawx geek, #farmer, into pre/non-christian european indigenous religions & #history, native plant landscaping, growing my own, critters of all kinds (except spiders), #gay (-hate the word #lesbian) #woman, #genX #grunge era #Seattle now in rural #Whatcom county. Devotee of #Feronia
Pasclair17 910 signatures pour la libĂ©ration immĂ©diate des villageois emprisonnĂ©s injustement aprĂšs une manifestation contre la sociĂ©tĂ© dâhuile de palme #Feronia - #PHC. #PETITION @[email protected] - #RDC #Congo https://www.sauvonslaforet.org/petitions/1233/huile-de-palme-liberez-les-villageois-injustement-arretes-en-rdc?t=361-261-4157-1 via @[email protected]
Huile de palme : libĂ©rez les villageois injustement arrĂȘtĂ©s en RDC
Plusieurs habitants de Mwingi et de Bolesa ont Ă©tĂ© arrĂȘtĂ©s aprĂšs une manifestation contre lâentreprise dâhuile de palme PHC au Congo. Nous exigeons leur libĂ©ration immĂ©diate et la fin de la violence, de lâaccaparement des terres et de la criminalisation Ă lâencontre des habitants. Il est temps que leurs droits soient enfin respectĂ©s !
PixelAufstand*Petition â Mord an UmweltschĂŒtzer JoĂ«l Imbangola â In der Republik Kongo wurde der UmweltschĂŒtzer JoĂ«l Imbangola erschlagen. Die Organisation RIAO-RDC, die seit Monaten bedroht wird, beschuldigt einen Wachmann der Palmölfirma #Feronia der Tat. https://www.regenwald.org/petitionen/1190/dringend-mord-an-umweltschuetzer-joel-imbangola-aufklaeren?mtu=424765168&t=5553
DRINGEND: Mord an UmweltschĂŒtzer JoĂ«l Imbangola aufklĂ€ren
Wieder ein Mord! In der Demokratischen Republik Kongo wurde der UmweltschĂŒtzer JoĂ«l Imbangola erschlagen. Die Organisation RIAO-RDC, die seit Monaten bedroht wird, beschuldigt einen Wachmann der Palmölfirma Feronia der Tat. Bitte fordern Sie die AufklĂ€rung des Verbrechens.