Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Greenpeace Statement –

Lawyers acting on behalf of Greenpeace UK have filed a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office alleging that the Crown Estate is illegally withholding information about profiteering from their monopoly on the UK’s seabed. 

Last year, Greenpeace exposed the high option and leasing fees the Crown Estate is charging offshore wind farm developers[1], which slow down development and ultimately drive up energy bills. Greenpeace maintains that the Crown Estate Commissioners are required by the Crown Estate Act 1961 to exclude any element of monopoly value attributable to the Crown’s ownership of land when leasing the seabed for wind power. 

The Crown Estate denied that the Act imposed this requirement, but this runs counter to comments made in 2010 to the Treasury Select Committee by the previous Crown Estate Chief Executive, Roger Bright, who described the approach the Crown Estate was taking to determining monopoly value when setting rents for the seabed.

In a letter before action, Greenpeace requested documents from the Crown Estate under the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR), covering monopoly value, how the Crown Estate calculated it, and how they excluded this value from seabed leases. The Crown Estate refused, claiming that the request was too broad, covering too many documents, and fulfilling it would be too onerous, even though it was confined to documents relating to monopoly value assessment. Greenpeace replied with an even narrower request, and a comment that if documents existed, they must be known without the need for extensive searches. However, the Crown Estate sent an almost identical ‘computer says no’ refusal, citing the same grounds. 

After exhausting the Crown Estate’s EIR process, Greenpeace has complained to the ICO to secure the release of the relevant documents, if they exist. 

If they don’t exist, this would also be significant, as it would show the Crown Estate is not properly considering whether it is overcharging developers. 

Lily-Rose Ellis, climate campaigner for Greenpeace UK, said:

“The Crown Estate’s option fees are effectively a stealth tax added to people’s energy bills, during  the cost of living crisis. Abusing their monopoly position to set fees way above what a free market would support is not only counter to the 1961 Crown Estate Act, but counter to the interests of anyone who pays an electricity bill, counter to the interests of British industry, and counter to the interests of everyone who depends on a stable climate.”

The ICO will respond to the complaint, and can order the Crown Estate to disclose the information sought[2].

ENDS

Notes

1. https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/crown-estates-monopoly-profiteering-hampering-offshore-wind-and-pushing-up-bills-greenpeace/ 
2. https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/foi-and-eir-complaints/what-to-expect-from-the-ico-when-making-an-foi-or-eir-complaint/after-you-complain/ 

Contact Greenpeace UK Press Office – press.uk@greenpeace.org or 020 7865 8255

Source: Greenpeace Statement –

Greenpeace UK has urged the government to implement plans to decouple the cost of electricity from gas amid a huge spike in gas prices triggered by the US-Israeli bombing of Iran.

Today, the UK’s wholesale gas price has hit a three-year high, after soaring by 93% since last week, raising the prospect of a sharp increase in energy bills.

Greenpeace has been calling for energy system reforms that would remove gas plants from the wholesale electricity market and place them into a strategic reserve[1]. This would stop expensive gas from setting electricity prices, protect UK bill payers from gas price volatility and significantly lower bills.

Greenpeace UK Head of Climate Mel Evans said:

“We’re back on the global gas price rollercoaster, and everyone’s feeling sick already. The latest conflict in the Middle East has exposed once again how much of a liability our dependence on gas is. In the UK, gas sets the price of electricity 85% of the time, and the price of gas, including North Sea gas, is set by the market. When we could be looking forward to rapidly increasing solar and wind power on the grid saving us money, instead we face the prospect of energy bills going up again thanks to our rigged pricing system. Ministers should take control of our energy bills by removing gas-fired power stations from the pricing mechanism and bringing them into a strategic reserve. This would stop gas from dominating our bills and protect households and businesses from more gas price shocks.”

ENDS

Notes

1. https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/resources/power-shift-report/ 

Contact

Greenpeace UK Press Office – press.uk@greenpeace.org or 020 7865 8255

Source: Greenpeace Statement –

Canberra, Australia, March 3, 2026 – Twenty five (25) Indonesian fishing boat crew — onboard 17 Indonesian tuna fishing vessels and allegedly involving five Indonesian seafood companies that supply their tuna products to the Australian market — reported to have experienced forced labour. These indications were analysed in a new report by Greenpeace Southeast Asia in collaboration with Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania. Among the 11 International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) forced labour indicators analyzed, the crew most frequently encountered abuse of vulnerability (56%), debt bondage (56%), and deception (40%). [1]

The report, “Forced to the Bottom: Squeezing Indonesian Fishers and Oceans for Dirty Tuna Profits”, looked at Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) vessel lists and found that the 17 fishing vessels suspected to supply five processing companies in Indonesia, namely PT Aneka Tuna Indonesia, PT Samudera Mandiri Sentosa, PT Sinar Pure Food International, PT Pahala Bahari Nusantara, and PT Intimas Surya. Trade analysis suggests that these companies export to 10 Australian seafood companies, including brands such as Sirena, Safcol, and JFC Australia.

The alleged indications of forced labour were found throughout all employment stages. Based on the fishers or crew members’ testimonies, employment brokers (calo) lured them with promises of big salaries and flexible advance loans upon recruitment. But then the calo charged illegal fees and withheld the fishers’ identification documents and personal belongings, to assert their total control towards the fishers. At sea, fishers reported excessive working hours — up to 21 hours a day, often without proper rest, pay, or access to communication. Some of them were out at sea for 10–18 months without a port visit. Salary was paid at the end of each trip, with profit-sharing schemes that are unjustly designed to suppress the fishers’ income.

“The testimony of the crew on Indonesian tuna fishing boats is a clear signal that the Australian Government needs to require businesses importing goods from high-risk sectors to have to properly check that modern slavery is not being used in the production of the goods. The vast majority of Australians want to be sure the goods they are buying have not involved suffering and exploitation of the people involved in producing them,” said Mark Zirnsak, Senior Social Justice Advocate​ for Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania.

The indications of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing practices were also found. Companies allegedly push fishing vessels and crew to engage in banned practices, such as shark finning and deploying illegal fish aggregating devices (FADs). The link between labour abuses and environmental crimes underscores an extractive system that externalizes human and ecological costs to sustain profit margins.

Arifsyah Nasution, Senior Oceans Campaigner for Greenpeace Southeast Asia, said:

“The governments and industries across the markets and supply chains must be accountable to ensure the seafood harvested ethically and sustainably. The progressive and actionable commitments for transparency and accountability needed to tackle both IUU and the modern slavery practices in the global seafood value chains. No place for seafood sourced from unethical and unsustainable practices on consumers’ dining tables,” said.

Elle Lawless, Senior Ocean Campaigner, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: 

“Industrial fishing abuses human rights at sea while simultaneously stripping life from our oceans, pushing marine wildlife toward collapse. Destructive industrial fishing, like longlining and bottom trawling, continues to pillage, destroy and industrialise the ocean.” 

The Australian Government is on the cusp of ratifying the Global Ocean Treaty, allowing governments to create high seas ocean sanctuaries free from industrial fishing. High-quality ocean sanctuaries are good for the ocean and good for people. Governments must work together to protect the high seas, and make sure industrial fishing is not allowed within protected areas. 

“Forced to the Bottom: Squeezing Indonesian Fishers and Oceans for Dirty Tuna Profits” is Greenpeace Southeast Asia’s first report that brings to light the direct link between alleged indications of forced labour and IUU fishing practices in the Indonesian fishing industry and the Australian tuna market.

The Greenpeace global network’s Beyond Seafood Campaign has called for concerted action by all stakeholders and governments along the seafood supply chain to end isolation at sea. This includes:

• Free, accessible, and secure Wi-Fi on all fishing vessels to allow fishers to have contact with their families, unions, and governments.
• Capping time at sea at three months to reduce the risk of human rights abuse, forced labor, and human trafficking.
• 100% human or electronic observer coverage to ensure vital data on catch composition, bycatch, interactions with protected species, and overall fishing practices are reported by independent and impartial parties.

ENDS

Download full report here

Photos can be accessed in the Greenpeace Media Library

Notes to Editor:

[1] ILO Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29)

Contacts:

Mark Zirnsak, Senior Social Justice Advocate​, Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, [email protected], +61 409 166 915⁩ 

Vela Andapita, Communications Coordinator for Beyond Seafood Campaign, Greenpeace Southeast Asia, [email protected], +6281-7575-9449

Source: Amnesty International –

Responding to the deaths of at least 26 people during protests that erupted across Pakistan on 1 March following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in US-Israeli attacks on Iran, Babu Ram Pant, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for South Asia, said: 

“The killing of protesters and reports of the use of lethal ammunition by security forces against these assemblies raises serious concerns about unlawful use of force. Protesters have a right to gather peacefully and express dissent, even in moments of heightened tension. During such crises, security forces must demonstrate their commitment to protecting life and safeguarding peaceful assembly. 

“Even in instances where some protesters turn violent, law enforcement must assess the situation on a case-by-case basis, exercise restraint, and use force only where absolutely necessary. Any force must be proportionate to the seriousness of the offence and legitimate objective, and used solely against those engaged in violence. Lethal force may only be used as a last resort and only be targeted against those posing an imminent threat to life. Authorities must act with restraint to avoid further serious injury and loss of life during future protests. Further, they must take all measures to fulfil their positive obligation to facilitate the right to freedom of peaceful assemblies.  

Even in instances where some protesters turn violent, law enforcement must assess the situation on a case-by-case basis, exercise restraint, and use force only where absolutely necessary

Babu Ram Pant, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for South Asia

“Amnesty International calls for a thorough, independent, impartial and effective investigation into the deaths and injuries and the use of force deployed by security personnel. The families of those killed and the people injured have the right to a remedy.” 

Background

Major protests took place in the cities of Skardu, Gilgit, Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar on 1 March. 

It has been reported that at least ten protesters were killed and 96 injured outside the US Consulate in Karachi after protesters breached the premises. Various reports suggest that gunfire was used against protesters, and many of those brought to hospitals had gunshot wounds. At least two protesters were killed and over 30 injured near the Diplomatic Enclave in the capital Islamabad. Protesters reported the use of kinetic impact projectiles and tear gas canisters. Fourteen people, including a solider, were killed in Skardu. In Skardu and Gilgit, protesters set alight the offices of UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). In Skardu, a school and some municipal offices were also set ablaze.

Subsequently, all public gatherings were prohibited in Sindh and Punjab provinces and in Islamabad. A curfew was imposed in Skardu city, and the Pakistan Army has been deployed. 

Source: Amnesty International –

Responding to the brutal attack in Harare on Professor Lovemore Madhuku, the leader of the opposition National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), and several other political activists on March 1, by armed men in full view of the police, Amnesty International Zimbabwe’s Executive Director, Lucia Masuka, said:

“Professor Lovemore Madhuku, Effort Manono, and other activists from his party had gathered for a meeting when they were violently beaten with batons in the presence of uniformed police officers. This violent attack is a blatant violation of the rights to personal security, freedom of expression, and peaceful assembly.

This violent attack is a blatant violation of the rights to personal security, freedom of expression, and peaceful assembly.

Lucia Masuka, Executive Director, Amnesty International Zimbabwe

“This assault is the latest outrage targeting critics opposed to changing the Constitution to allow the extension of presidential term limits. Zimbabwean authorities must immediately end the escalating crackdown on peaceful dissent, which has seen public meetings banned and critics brutally attacked, arbitrarily detained, and silenced.

Zimbabwean authorities must immediately end the escalating crackdown on peaceful dissent, which has seen public meetings banned and critics brutally attacked, arbitrarily detained, and silenced.

Lucia Masuka

“Authorities must promptly, thoroughly, impartially, independently, transparently, and effectively investigate the attacks on these NCA members and bring to justice those suspected to be responsible.  Authorities must ensure access to justice and effective remedies for victims and their families. They must create an environment that guarantees and ensures the effective exercise of the human rights of everyone in the country, including the rights to freedom of opinion, expression, and peaceful assembly, allowing everyone to peacefully express their opinions without the risk of interference, intimidation, attacks, or reprisals.”

Source: Amnesty International –

Ten years after the murder of Lenca Indigenous leader and human rights defender Berta Cáceres, Amnesty International condemns the ongoing violence against those who defend land and the environment in Honduras, and calls on the authorities to carry out a thorough investigation that takes into account new findings revealed by the Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts (GIEI), established under the auspices of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).

“Ten years after the brutal killing of Berta Cáceres, her family and COPINH have only seen partial justice. Those who ordered the crime remain unpunished, and the structural conditions that led to this tragedy have not changed: each year we continue to witness violence and killings of people defending water and forests in Honduras. How much longer?” said Ana Piquer, Americas Director at Amnesty International.

Ten years after the brutal killing of Berta Cáceres, her family and COPINH have only seen partial justice.”

Ana Piquer, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for the Americas.

Source: Greenpeace Statement –

In response to news about the gas market reacting to the conflict in the Middle East, Paul Morozzo, senior climate campaigner for Greenpeace UK, said: 

“The Strait of Hormuz is the pinch point for global gas supplies, and the UK’s energy bills. European gas prices have already surged by 50% in response to Qatar restricting supply, and there are predictions that the attack on Iran could lead to them increasing by 130% [1]. If your energy system uses gas then your energy bill is at the mercy of unstable regimes, in the Middle East and elsewhere, and oil profiteers. The UK’s gas supply, including the little remaining in the declining North Sea basin, is sold to us at market rates by those multinational oil majors. The only way the UK can be secure and self-sufficient in energy production is by using fuel supplies that can’t be disrupted – sunshine and wind.”

ENDS

Notes

1. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-01/goldman-says-european-gas-could-jump-130-on-hormuz-disruption