Victories & Steps Along the Way: Papua New Guinea, Wangari Maathai

Free Speech Victory in Papua New Guinea

Landowners have complained that waste discharged from RD Tuna spills onto customary lands. John Musas (center), his brother Bap (right), and nephew (left).

E-LAW advocates at the Environmental Law Centre (ELC) in Papua New Guinea have successfully defended local public health and environmental advocates from a defamation suit brought by multinational fishing giant RD Tuna.

In 2003, the Filipino-owned RD Tuna filed a lawsuit against local residents who had criticized the company for unsanitary canning practices and pollution of local water resources. Such lawsuits, referred to as Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (or "SLAPPs") are often brought to silence criticism from those who cannot afford to defend themselves, in effect limiting free speech.

E-LAW U.S. Staff Attorneys assisted ELC advocates with information about U.S. defamation laws and a U.S. Food and Drug Administration recall of RD Tuna products in Michigan.

RD Tuna dropped its suit against the local residents and a Papua New Guinea National Court judge ordered RD Tuna to compensate the defendants for court costs.

This ruling will discourage similar SLAPPs and protect citizens` rights to debate on important issues.

Wangari Maathai Wins Nobel Prize

Wangari Maathai PHOTO: Martin Rowe

E-LAW U.S. congratulates Wangari Maathai of Kenya for receiving the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize. We have long admired her courageous work. E-LAW U.S. is now working with strong Kenyan environmental lawyers inspired by Wangari`s leadership.

Wangari is the first environmental advocate to win the Nobel Peace Prize. She founded Kenya`s Green Belt Movement in 1977, which has planted more than 10 million trees to prevent soil erosion and provide firewood for cooking fires.

In announcing the prize, the Nobel committee said: "Peace on earth depends on our ability to secure our living environment." E-LAW U.S. shares this belief.

In many countries where E-LAW U.S. works, environmental degradation is a matter of life and death. Communities lack clean water and fresh air. People see multinational corporations exploiting natural resources, while they can not feed their families. They feel the impacts of toxic chemicals sprayed on crops that are destined for export.

To secure lasting peace, we must take better care of our natural environment. We must ensure that natural resources are used sustainably and the benefits of using natural resources are distributed fairly. We must ensure that citizens have a voice in decisions about the envi- ronment. We must ensure that people have access to clean air and clean water. We must protect critical ecosystems.

E-LAW U.S. is working with courageous advocates around the world who are taking on environmental abuses and building a sustainable future. These grassroots advocates are our best hope for building a sustainable, peaceful future.