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We are dedicated to the
defense of human ecosystems
in terms of human rights.
We are a Nigerian advocacy
non-governmental organisation
Environmental Rights Action (ERA) is a Nigerian advocacy non-governmental organization founded on January 11, 1993, to deal with environmental human rights issues in Nigeria. ERA is the Nigerian chapter of Friends of the Earth International (FoEI).
ERA was the co-ordinating NGO in Africa for many years for Oilwatch International, the global South network of groups concerned about the effects of oil on the environment of people who live in oil-bearing regions. Oilwatch was founded in 1995 (in Ecuador), in the aftermath of local struggles against oil companies such as Shell (in Nigeria) and Texaco (now Chevron) in Ecuador. Both cases have given rise to well-known court cases where damages in the billions of euros are being claimed at present. ERA has been the winner of the Sophie Prize.
The organization is dedicated to the defense of human ecosystems in terms of human rights, and to the promotion of environmentally responsible governmental, commercial, community, and individual practices in Nigeria through the empowerment of local people. ERA will mainly provide its great knowledge of oil extraction conflicts and gas flaring to Work Package 2 on the database of environmental conflicts and to Work Package 4 on oil and gas extraction and climate justice, as well as giving input in many other parts of the EJOLT project. ERA is also the coordinating NGO for the Nigerian Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA).
The organization’s committed struggles for environmental human rights have won it recognition through awards such as Sophie Prize (1998) for excellence and courage in the struggle for environmental Justice and the Bloomberg Award for Tobacco control activism (2009)
We are bound together
& guided by a philosophy
which avoids moral ambiguity
ERA is bound together and guided by a philosophy which avoids moral ambiguity when approaching problems of human ecology. This philosophy is not a dogma, but a guide based upon the following beliefs described below
Environmental rights
are human rights
Article 24 of the African charter of Human and Peoples’ Right states that:
“All people shall have a right to (a) generally satisfactory environment favorable to their development.”
ERA believes that a respect for all forms of life is an essential foundation to human happiness. In other words, a genuine concern for human kind and our habitat depends upon a respect for other animals and their habitats, and upon recognition of the importance of diversity. Human kind cannot achieve happiness in a degraded environment; living in harmony with other forms of life (as in some traditional relationships between people and their environment) is in itself a human rights. Furthermore, every individual and responsible human being has an equal right to happiness, regardless of his or her wealth.
Peaceful Pressure Group
To act as a peaceful pressure group, campaigning for change in the policies of governmental, non-governmental and commercial organisations where those policies are likely to act against environmental human rights.
and to enable local people to defend their environmental human rights in law.
Primacy of local interest
People living in a locality have an investment in it’s long term future. Outsiders, whether in government or non-government agencies, are more likely to be interested in short and medium term considerations.
Outside interest may have rights that must be taken into considerations. However, local interests are more likely than any other to be concerned about genuine conservation and must take priority when decisions are being made.
Our Water, Our Right!
Environmental Rights Action (ERA) is a Nigerian advocacy non-governmental organisation founded on January 11, 1993 to deal with environmental human rights issues in Nigeria. ERA is the Nigerian chapter of Friends of the Earth International (FoEI).
We challenge the current model of economic and
corporate globalization
Climate justice
and energy
Corporate
Accountability
Democracy
outreach
Food
Sovereignty
Forest and
Biodiversity
Climate justice
and energy
Corporate
Accountability
Democracy
outreach
Food
Sovereignty
Forest and
Biodiversity
Every employee and volunteer makes a vital contribution to our vision at ERA/FoEN. We strive to be an excellent organisation and invest in our people to maximize our impact. Many of our local support groups couldn’t exist without the generous support of volunteers. If you want to get involved with one of our projects or campaigns, please contact us: volunteer@erafoen.org