Human Rights on the Line: The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline Project
In May 2003, Amnesty International published Human Rights On The Line, a report focusing on the human rights implications of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline project that are of particular concern to Amnesty International in the light of its work on Turkey over several decades. The report draws attention to features of the legal framework that are similar to those of investment projects in other parts of the world, many of which pose threats to human rights for similar reasons. The BTC pipeline is being developed by an international consortium of 11 partners, known as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline Company (BTC Co). British Petroleum (BP) is the largest stakeholder in the project, and is leading the design and construction phases. Other partners include: SOCAR (the state oil company of Azerbaijan); TPAO (Turkey); Statoil (Norway); Unocal (USA); Itochu (Japan); Amerada Hess (USA); Eni (Italy); TotalFinaElf (France); INPEX (Japan) and ConocoPhillips (USA).
Since the publication of the report, Amnesty International has continued to push for greater transparency and accountability regarding the BTC pipeline, and will continue to explore the connection between the legal frameworks enacted for large-scale investment projects and their implications for human rights.
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