BASF and the Marikana Massacre

This report is part of our former “Harmful Cases” documentation, where we continuously and concisely recorded human rights violations, violations of international law or environmental destruction caused by companies.

At the Annual General Meeting of the BASF chemicals group on 30 April 2015, the bishop Johannes Seoka appealed to the Board and demanded that BASF should also assume its part in the responsibility for the Marikana massacre in South Africa. ((Https://basflonmin.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/joseoka_basf_30_04_2015.pdf

(Accessed on 05.05.2015))

In August 2012, 34 striking miners of platinum producer Lonmin plc were killed in a conflict with police. (( http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/tote-in-marikana-streik-in-platinmine-in-suedafrika-eskaliert-a-850674.html (Accessed on 05.06.2015))

BASF is itself one of the main buyers of platinum produced in South Africa, which is used for the production of auto catalysts. Lonmin has been one of BASF’s main customers for many years.

Seoka, Chairman of Bench Marks Foundation in South Africa, calls for the participation of BASF in a fund for reparations to the families of the victims.

CEO Kurt Bock’s reaction, however, was clear:.. “We do not see that we are in the position to provide money into a fund” He referred to the as yet unpublished South African investigative report on the events of August 16, 2012 in Marikana. As the publication is not yet public and no direct accountability has yet been given, he is unwilling to give an opinion on the subject. ((http://www.morgenweb.de/nachrichten/wirtschaft/basf/manager-boni-drucken-basf-gewinn-1.2224110 (called on 6.5.2015))

Shareholders also came out against the human rights violations. So the Association of Critical Shareholders put forward a counter motion, which called for the non-discharge of the members of the Executive Board for the 2014 financial year and reparation payments of 3.4 million euros (1 million Rand per victim). (( https://www.basf.com/documents/corp/de/investor-relations/calendar-and-publications/annual-shareholders-meeting/2015/Gegenantraege_und_Wahlvorschlaege_Stand_15_04_15.pdf (Accessed on 05.05.2015))

The request was not accepted by the General Meeting. (( https://www.basf.com/de/company/investor-relations/calendar-and-publications/annual-shareholders-meeting/annual-shareholders-meeting-2015/results.html

(Accessed on 05.06.2015))