ExxonMobil statement on human rights claims in the U.S. District of Columbia Court

The District of Columbia Court’s decision on August 27, 2008, does not address the merits of any of the Plaintiffs’ state law claims. ExxonMobil will continue to vigorously defend against these baseless claims and pursue all avenues available to us through the U.S. legal system.

ExxonMobil condemns human rights violations in any form and has actively expressed these views to governments and others around the world. The claims are based on the alleged conduct of the Indonesia military against citizens of Indonesia during a civil conflict. There is no claim that ExxonMobil participated in any human rights violations or any other wrongdoing.

It would be unprecedented for a U.S. court to hold a U.S. company with foreign operations legally responsible for alleged human rights abuses committed by a foreign host government or foreign military against its own citizens in that country. There are many steps remaining before this case could proceed to trial.

The Arun natural gas facilities are owned by the Government of Indonesia. The Indonesia regulatory authority for oil and gas operations, BPMIGAS, is responsible for coordinating security for the project. Security, in turn, is provided by the Government of Indonesia, as required by Indonesian law.

All federal law claims in the original lawsuit filed in 2001 were dismissed by the federal court in October 2005. All that remains are common law tort claims under the laws of Washington, D.C. and Delaware that mirror the claims dismissed in 2005 by the federal court.

ExxonMobil has actively contributed to the quality of life in Aceh Province through employment of local workers, provision of health services, and extensive community investment.