2017 Was the Deadliest Year on Record for Land and Environmental Defenders
Global Witness today reveals that at least 207 land and environmental defenders were killed last year – indigenous leaders, community activists and environmentalists murdered trying to protect their homes and communities from mining, agribusiness and other destructive industries. Global Witness annual figures show at least 207 land and environmental activists were killed in 2017 across […]
The Islamic State and Taliban are Fighting Over Afghan Talc Riches
London, UK – The Islamic State in Afghanistan (ISKP) controls major mining sites in eastern Afghanistan and has a strategic interest in the country’s rich mineral resources, new Global Witness research shows – a powerful example of the wider threat posed by armed groups and corrupt actors in Afghan mining. The Islamic State in Afghanistan […]
Narco-a-Lago: Donald Trump Made Millions from Panama Development Used to Launder Drug Money
President Donald Trump has made millions from selling his name to a Panama development used to launder money from Latin American drug cartels, a Global Witness investigation reveals today. After licensing his name to the Trump Ocean Club in 2006, Trump appears to have turned a blind eye to the source of the buyers’ funds and […]
Paradise Papers: Global Witness Statement on Wilbur Ross’ Offshore Secrecy
Washington, DC — Leaked documents published today by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists expose how offshore tax havens, white-collar professionals, and anonymous company owners hide their finances behind a veil of secrecy. The documents from Bermuda-based law firm Appleby include evidence of dubious deals and holdings involving the Queen of England, Canadian Prime Minister […]
Trump’s Afghanistan Strategy will Fail if it Does not Take on Corruption
Tonight at 9pm EST President Trump announced his new Afghanistan strategy, Global Witness’ Stephen Carter highlights what is needed for a real change in direction: “The United States is Afghanistan’s key partner and has real potential to help break the cycle of violence there. But its continued presence will change nothing unless the US and […]
New Leaks Show Shell Oil Executives at the Center of a Scheme to Steal $1.1 Billion from Nigeria’s People
Oil giants Shell and Eni knowingly took part in a vast bribery scheme for one of Africa’s most valuable oil blocks which deprived Nigeria and its people of $1.1billion, an exposé by Global Witness and Finance Uncovered reveals. New leaked internal emails seen by Global Witness and Finance Uncovered show that Shell’s most senior decision-makers […]
Leaked Trump Executive Order Easing Conflict Mineral Regulations a ‘Gift to Warlords & Corrupt Businesses’
Washington, DC — In response to reports that the President Trump is planning to issue an executive order targeting the US conflict minerals provision, also known as Section 1502 of Dodd-Frank, Carly Oboth Policy Adviser at Global Witness said: “Any executive action suspending the US conflict minerals rule would be a gift to predatory armed groups […]
Congress Votes for Corruption by Overturning Historic Transparency Law in Gift to Big Oil
Washington, DC — Today’s decision by the Republican-led U.S. Senate to overturn a rule designed to stop oil companies striking corrupt deals with foreign governments is a grave threat to U.S. national security and an astonishing gift to big oil, said Global Witness. The news comes just two days after Rex Tillerson, a longstanding opponent of […]
Republican Vote to Eliminate Landmark Transparency Law Jeopardizes National Security
Washington, DC — Today’s vote by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives to undo a rule designed to stop corruption in the oil industry poses a grave threat to U.S. national security, said Global Witness today. The oil industry is the most corrupt on the planet, according to the OECD. Yet today the House of Representatives voted […]
Trump uses First Days to Roll Back Oil Sector Regulations, Green Light Keystone XL & Dakota Access Pipelines
Washington, DC — The past 24 hours have seen an unprecedented number of gifts to Exxon and the oil industry, said Global Witness today. Yesterday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved former CEO of Exxon, Rex Tillerson, to lead the State Department. Today, it is expected that Republicans in the House of Representatives will introduce […]
Global Witness Responds to U.S. Senate Committee Vote on Rex Tillerson
Washington, DC — Today, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations voted in favor of making Rex Tillerson, former CEO of ExxonMobil, the most powerful diplomat in the U.S. Global Witness raised serious concerns that this appointment would pose a grave threat to both US and global security. On Mr. Tillerson’s watch, ExxonMobil was at the forefront of […]