EarthRights International and the Korean Federation for Environmental Movement (KFEM-FOE Korea) issued letters to Daewoo and KOGAS regarding their concerns for the Shwe Gas Project in Burma. The letters, issued to both Daewoo and KOGAS on November 20, 2006, called on the companies to conduct environmental impact assessments in compliance with international law, as well as social and human rights impact assessments. The letters outline the international law and Korean law requirements for conducting EIAs.
ERI and KFEM expressed concerns that the situation in Burma on the Shwe Gas Project is following the same path as the Yadana-Yetagun Project which involved serious human rights violations and severe environmental degradation as a result of Total and Unocal’s partnership with Burma’s military junta. The letters give an account of human rights violations and environmental destruction that have already been reported in relation to the Shwe Gas Project. ERI and KFEM hope that these letters will raise the awareness of the companies and the public in order to prevent further violations of human rights and environmental contamination.