Big Oil moves ahead on human rights, slowly

NEW YORK (Reuters) – From excessive force by their security guards to helping support corrupt regimes, oil companies have long faced accusations of helping trigger human rights abuses in the far-flung countries where they operate.

Unocal Corp., later acquired by Chevron Corp., was buffeted by protests for refusing to leave Myanmar, while Exxon Mobil Corp. has faced pressure for years over alleged abuses by Indonesian military guards that protected its facilities in the remote Aceh province.

Chevron and Occidental Petroleum Corp. have suffered a lingering backlash from activists over their roles in Ecuador and Colombia, respectively.

But after years of public pressure, activists say Big Oil has begun to change its approach to human rights issues, with many showing signs they are taking it more seriously than ever.

Reuters