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Resolution A264
TALISMAN ENERGY INC.
This resolution was carried as amended.
moved by: Ms. Fiona Brownlee from the Diocese of Quebec
seconded by: The Rt. Rev. Barry Jenks from the Diocese of British Colombia
Note: The mover and the seconder must be members of the General Synod and be present in the House when the resolution is before the synod for debate.
The amended text is not currently available. The amendment recognizes the fact that the pension fund has already divested itself and adds the words, "and that equivalent amounts of any capital gains realised from the sale of such shares be given to projects furthering the welfare of Sudanese refugees." The original text is below:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT THIS GENERAL SYNOD:
- Urges all bodies of The Anglican Church of Canada who retain shares in Talisman Energy Inc. to start a process of divestment from the company and intentionally explain the motivation behind this decision.
- In the instance of the Pension Fund, request the Trustees of the Pension Fund to use the instruments at their disposal to a) conduct the survey of the pension holders to determine their support to divestment from Talisman investments; b) seek alternative investments of comparable value.
EXPLANATORY NOTE/BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Oil and war in Sudan have always been closely related. The military regime that seized power in a coup in 1989, has embarked on a ruthless campaign to depopulate the areas around oilfields and a pipeline in southern Sudan. Amnesty International reported last year that civilians in the oil region have suffered violent abuses. Sudanese Air Force planes have attacked hospitals, schools and airstrips where relief flights land.
Talisman Energy Inc., a Canadian Oil Company is involved in a partnership venture with the Sudanese government and owns 25% of a $1.2 billion pipeline project in Sudan. Talisman Energy Inc. has been systematically briefed by Canadian human rights groups of the Sudanese Government record on human rights. Amnesty International, UNICEF, Human Rights Watch, and other well-known human rights groups have confirmed that oil exploitation has exacerbated the war. Oil company officials deny that their investments are exacerbating the war, but IMF confirms that Sudan's military expenditures have doubled since 1998, when it had no oil revenue.
In a statement made public in Geneva in April 2000, The Sudan Council of Churches, based in Khartoum, and the New Sudan Council of Churches based in Nairobi and serving the Sudanese population of the Southern Sudan declared "… As the Shepherds of the population in the Sudan and eye witness to the ongoing genocide in the above-mentioned areas , we call upon peace loving people and the international community to take immediate actions to STOP the ongoing genocide in Sudan. This includes the withdrawal of the oil companies helping the government of Sudan to confidently pursue the war and a call for a No-fly zone for military aircraft's over the southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains and South Blue Nile, which should be monitored."
Source: PWRDF Committee
(name of committee, diocese, etc.)
Submitted by: PWRDF Comm., EcoJustice Sub-Committee, Partners in Mission Comm.
1.Bentiu, Pariang, Melut, Jonglei, areas where Talisman oilfields are located.