Amnesty International (AI) on Tuesday called upon US President Joe Biden to grant a pardon to Steven Donziger, an environmental lawyer known for his role in representing Ecuadorian victims of oil contamination caused by a now-subsidiary of Chevron corporation.
In its statement, AI highlighted Donziger’s significant contributions to environmental advocacy, particularly his successful litigation against Chevron. The case resulted in a landmark $9.5 billion judgment by an Ecuadorian court, addressing severe ecological damage and health issues local communities face due to oil drilling practices. However, following this ruling, Chevron withdrew its assets from Ecuador and initiated extensive legal actions against Donziger and the plaintiffs, claiming that the Ecuadorian judgment was obtained through fraud.
AI further contended that the legal actions against Donziger represent a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) aimed at stifling dissent and intimidating advocates for justice. Such lawsuits are typically employed against journalists, activists, and civil society organizations to suppress critical voices, creating a chilling effect on public interest advocacy and endangering environmental defenders worldwide.
Donziger has been involved in environmental law since the early 1990s, focusing on cases related to oil pollution in Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest. His work gained international attention when he represented over 30,000 indigenous people and farmers who suffered from extensive pollution caused by Chevron-owned oil company Texaco. After years of litigation in Ecuador, as well as public awareness campaigns about the devastating effects of oil drilling on local communities, the court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in 2011. However, Chevron’s aggressive counteractions led to a prolonged legal battle, culminating in Donziger’s controversial conviction.
Donziger’s legal troubles escalated when Chevron filed a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) lawsuit in the US, alleging that he engaged in corruption to secure a favorable ruling in Ecuador. A US federal court ultimately ruled in favor of Chevron, declaring that Donziger had committed multiple legal violations, including extortion and fraud. This led to his disbarment and a sentence of six months in prison for contempt of court related to his refusal to turn over documents as part of the ongoing litigation. Several human rights organizations and groups have argued that these legal proceedings were marred by significant irregularities, suggesting that Donziger’s detention was arbitrary and politically motivated.
The ongoing ramifications of this case continue to emphasize the need for robust protections for those who advocate for vulnerable communities facing ecological devastation. The urgency for a pardon reflects a broader need to protect human rights defenders and ensure accountability for corporate misconduct, especially as Biden’s administration approaches its end on January 20, 2025.
