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- Paper Pulp Mills - Uruguay
- Corporate Accountability and Human Rights
- Climate Change and Human Rights
Federal Court Summons Botnia Executive Directors in Pulp Mill Criminal Case
December 27, 2007 - Argentine – Uruguayan Border.
Following an extended review by an Argentine Federal Court, Judge Guillermo Quadrini, of Concepción del Uruguay (Argentina), has summoned Erkki Varis and a list of other high ranking Metsa Botnia executives to testify in the criminal trial underway in Argentina against the pulp mill company.
Local stakeholders, communities and the Center for Human Rights and Environment filed a criminal complaint in 2005 in a Federal Court against the Finnish pulp mill giant for criminally violating their rights to life, health, to local livelihoods, and to a healthy environment. Filed while Botnia was still in construction, the case was the first ever filed presented in Argentine courts for the “intent to commit and environmental crime”.
After preliminary review by the prosecutor, the case was accepted in January of 2006, and picked up momentum again recently, when an appeals circuit court judge ordered Quadrini to summon the accused.
The complaint was originally filed against nine high level director of two companies, Metsa Botnia of Finland, and ENCE of Spain. The Spanish company has since desisted from constructing their mill at the controversial site, while Botnia, against an avalanche of opposition to their project from community groups and stakeholders both in Uruguay and Argentina, and against the will of both the Uruguayan and Argentine presidents which requested that they suspend construction, has moved forth with the project. The Argentine government subsequently filed a complaint to the International Court of Justice claiming that the project is illegal.
The original complaint argued that the Botnia pulp mill project placed the health and lives of some 300,000 individuals at risk. The mill began producing in November, and has already suffered a string of serious accidents, which have caused serious health impacts to workers and local community members. The company denies that any of the accidents were serious, but has made public apologies to Uruguayans for the incidents. The project is already facing legal complaints in Uruguay from disgruntled workers.
Botnia directors involved are Erkki Varis (President of Metsa Botnia), Ronald Beare (General Manager), Kaisu Annala (Metsa Botnia), Carlos Faropa (Botnia-Uruguay).
Community stakeholders point to Erkki Varis, the international CEO of Metsa Botnia, as the source of most of the problems the project has caused, due to his insensitive and stubborn attitude refusing to recognize the large discontent and lack of social license surrounding his project. Varis could face detention or extradition if he refuses to appear before the Argentine judge.
More Information
For more information please contact:
Cel:
54 9 11 6729 5466
