Sudan Church to appeal decision dismissing Talisman case
Sept 14, 2006 (NEW YORK) — The Presbyterian Church of the Sudan plans to appeal a judge’s decision earlier this week that threw out a lawsuit against Talisman Energy Inc. (TLM) that alleged the Canadian energy company conspired or aided Sudan’s government in crimes against civilians in order to protect its oil interests.
In a press release Thursday, the Church said it is confident that appellate courts will overturn the order by U.S. District Judge Denise Cote, saying the ruling was "based on a deeply flawed factual and legal analysis of the evidence before the court."
"The plaintiffs have waited a long time for justice," said Rev. Matthew Mathiang, moderator of the Western Upper Nile Presbytery, in a statement. "And they are prepared to continue this quest for justice for as long as it takes."
On Tuesday, Judge Cote granted Talisman’s summary judgment motion and dismissed the case, saying the plaintiffs have failed to "locate admissible evidence that Talisman has violated international law."
A Talisman Energy spokesman didn’t immediately return a phone call seeking comment Thursday afternoon.
In its lawsuit, the Presbyterian Church of Sudan and others accused the Calgary company of helping Sudan’s government with committing genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes against non-Muslim, African citizens living near the oil fields in southern Sudan.
Talisman moved into Sudan in 1998 through its purchase of Arakis Energy, one of the largest players in the country’s oil industry. The company sold its Sudanese holding to Indian company ONGC Videsh for $750 million in 2003 amid allegations that Talisman was providing the Sudanese government with oil revenue that was used partly to finance the country’s civil war.
The issue has continued to follow Talisman, with human-rights activists regularly appearing at the company’s annual general meetings, demanding it take responsibility for its alleged actions in Sudan.
Talisman has always denied it played any role in Sudan’s civil war. In a press release Tuesday, the company called Judge Cote’s decision a complete victory.
The Republic of Sudan, also a defendant in the case, has refused to make any appearance in the litigation and is in default.
- Database Search
- Unpaid Debt A comprehensive overview of the role of the Lundin Consortium in the oil war. ECOS calls upon the Swedish, Austrian and Malaysian governments to investigate whether, as a matter of international law, Lundin, OMV and Petronas 'were complicit in the commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity by others during the period 1997-2003.’ In response, the Swedish Public Prosecutor for International crimes opened a criminal investigation into ‘links between Sweden and the reported crimes’.
- In Depth For more specific information about the Lundin court case please visit the Unpaid Debt dossier.
