
【聯合新聞稿】污染越南 助俄侵烏 台塑漂綠 市場制裁
污染越南 助俄侵烏 台塑漂綠 市場制裁
監督台塑越鋼聯盟、台灣跨國企業監察(TTNC Watch)今天(6/19)在台塑股東會前,召開「污染越南 助俄侵烏 台塑漂綠 市場制裁」記者會,揭露台塑是台灣進口俄羅斯煤炭,資助俄國侵略烏克蘭的主要買家,而台塑在越南成立的越鋼公司造成的人權與環境侵害,到目前非但未得到解決,受害者面對的壓迫卻越來越升級。
來自歐洲的兩位代表,俄羅斯環保團體生態保衛組織(Ecodefence)創辦人、2021年另類諾貝爾獎得主斯利魏雅克(Vladimir Slivyak)、能源與清潔空氣研究中心(CREA)歐洲-俄羅斯政策與能源分析團隊負責人列維(Isaac Levi),與環境權保障基金會研究員許博任、孫興瑄並直接進入台塑股東會現場,呼籲台塑高層停止採購俄煤、停止全球污染、賠償受害者,並提出具體計畫與時程,否則在全球供應鏈的永續改革下,未來台塑將面臨巨大的制裁風險,更可能被市場淘汰,但台塑公司代表並未於股東會現場提出任何回應。
台塑買俄煤侵害人權 違背全球制裁趨勢
斯利魏雅克(Vladimir Slivyak)表示,俄羅斯侵略烏克蘭的戰爭至今已經超過兩年,造成數萬無辜烏克蘭人死傷,更多人被迫一直生活在恐懼和生命威脅中,抵抗俄羅斯的侵略和極權是全球民主國家不可迴避的責任。
斯利魏雅克指出,化石燃料就是支持俄羅斯獨裁政權對外侵略最重要的經濟命脈之一,這也是為什麼在2022年普丁政權發動侵略後,歐洲國家和美國隨即對俄羅斯的化石燃料實施禁止進口令的原因,然而,台灣的企業到現在仍然持續購買來自俄國的煤炭,而台塑公司更是台灣最主要的俄煤買家之一,等於是持續在資助獨裁者的侵略戰爭,傷害烏克蘭人民,這不但違反台塑公司自己的永續承諾,更嚴重傷害了台灣在國際民主陣營的形象。
斯利魏雅克呼籲,台塑企業作為代表台灣的大企業,應該立即停止採購來自俄羅斯的煤礦,不要再當獨裁政權的幫兇,而台塑持續採購支持侵略、侵害人權、破壞環境,甚至遭到國際制裁的俄煤,對投資人而言,更是一個不可忽視的巨大風險。
列維(Isaac Levi)指出,根據CREA的統計,台灣是俄烏戰爭後,全世界第五大的俄羅斯煤進口國,且最近一年來,台灣企業進口俄羅斯煤的數量還在不斷成長,對俄煤的依賴不減反增,這樣的趨勢相當令人憂心。
列維表示,根據CREA的統計,台塑集團自俄烏戰爭後,至少採購了超過1億美元的俄煤,是台灣最大的俄煤買家之一,而這些支出都成為了資助俄國政府侵略的資金來源。而台灣整體對俄羅斯煤的依賴也大幅增長,從2022年的占總進口量的12%,到2024年成長到18%。
列維表示,台灣過去兩年來進口俄煤的主要供應商如SUEK,亦在美國制裁清單上,如果台灣公司與被制裁的俄國企業有交易往來,將讓自己陷入巨大的風險中。從能源安全的角度而言,台灣更應該減少對特定供應商的依賴,避免價格與供應帶來的風險。
列維呼籲,台塑公司應該儘速提出停止採購俄煤的具體計畫和期程,並應公開相關資訊,讓台灣和國際社會,以及台塑的全球股東與投資人檢視。
台塑污染遍及全球 越南受害者遭獨裁政權不斷鎮壓
針對台塑越鋼污染受害者的近況,阮文雄神父說明,最近越南政府對於台塑污染受害者的鎮壓進一步升級,動員當地安全部隊和警察,阻止原告前往河內認證他們在台灣提起訴訟所需要的委任狀。越南政府透過阻止這些原告跨海訴訟,剝奪了受害者尋求正義的權利,並保護台塑免受咎責。
阮文雄神父表示,越南政府的行為是對人權的嚴重侵犯,以及對司法的公然妨礙。尋求法律救濟的受害者,在越南被系統性地拒絕於法院之外,政府動用警力,折磨、監禁那些敢於倡導正義的抗議者。且壓迫不僅限於抗議者本人,越南政府還騷擾、威脅抗議者的親屬,製造恐懼的氛圍,讓異議者噤聲。
阮文雄神父指出,這些行為凸顯了越南政府系統性濫用權力和有計劃地鎮壓任何尋求法律救濟的企圖。國際社會必須關注到這些令人震驚人權侵害,並對越南政府施壓,確保抗議者及其家人的安全和自由,並讓受害者可以用正當的程序,對台塑越鋼的污染尋求妥適賠償。否則,受害者將繼續在沉默中受苦,正義和人類尊嚴的原則,在越南將持續受到威脅。
人權公約施行聯盟辦公室主任江孟真代表宣讀國際人權組織人權觀察(Human Rights Watch)的亞洲副總監戈斯曼(Patricia Gossman)的聲明,該聲明強調台塑對2016年的污染災難負有責任,並承諾賠償5億美元,但賠償對象卻不是受害者,而是越南政府。受影響省份居民抱怨賠償金支付缺乏透明度,包括損失索賠障礙及地方當局挪用資金等。但越南當局持續鎮壓針對這場災難的抗議行動,至少41名參與抗議行動的運動者被判處多年監禁,其中31人仍身陷囹圄,台灣法院應該去除委任狀認證的障礙,不應遷就越南政府的鎮壓而加劇不公現象。
而針對台塑污染的抗議已是全球運動,美國地球之友(FOE US)資深石化業倡議者亨里克斯(Paloma Henriques)指出,美國地球之友與國際監督台塑聯盟(IMFPA)合作,持續要求台塑為其在全球範圍內造成的環境和社會侵害負責,重點關注越南、德州和路易斯安那州的抗爭。台塑在德州康福特(Point Comfort)的工廠,在每週三次的污染檢測中持續不合格,累積罰款已超過1,800萬美元,但台塑卻仍計劃擴廠。而在路易斯安那州,台塑計畫興建的2,400英畝「陽光計劃」,將使這個被稱為被稱為「癌症之帶」,已經受嚴重污染的社區,增加800噸有毒空氣污染物和1,360萬噸溫室氣體。美國地球之友和國際監督台塑聯盟呼籲台塑停止在美國及海外草率擴建石化產線,並應還給包括越南在內,所有受污染的受害者公道。美國地球之友也針對大型機構投資人如美國銀行、摩根大通、富國銀行倡議,呼籲機構投資人不要再投資像台塑這樣的石化公司,不要再投資新的石化計劃。
全球供應鏈永續改革方興未艾 台塑必須提出因應措施
環境權保障基金會研究員孫興瑄指出,歐盟在五月底正式通過歐盟企業永續盡職調查指令(Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive),該指令不只規範歐盟企業,也直接列管非歐盟企業,包含大型台灣企業。CSDDD要求企業不僅對自身營運,更要對其供應鏈上的環境、人權與氣候影響負責。企業若未依法落實人權與環境盡職調查,則有可能有行政責任,最高可罰全球淨營業額5%。若因為企業沒有做到盡職調查而導致損害,則可能面臨民事責任。
孫興瑄表示,這是全球第一次通過影響範圍這麼廣的有強制力的法律,它將ESG從作文比賽提升到有法律責任的層次。公司們不能再開空頭支票,或隱匿逃避責任。從越南大型海洋汙染到持續大量進口俄羅斯煤礦資助獨裁政權,台塑集團在世界各地對環境與人權持續造成侵害。這在CSDDD的框架下將構成法律所規定不得造成之侵害事項。面對這麼大的財務、法律、與名譽風險,台塑集團及集團中的每個公司,包含今天將舉辦股東會的台塑工業,都應該跟投資人明確說明它們將會如何被歐盟指令影響,以及台塑預計如何因應盡職調查強制化的國際趨勢。同時,台塑必須針對越鋼汙染案與俄煤進口,提出有具體時程與明確行動項目,以矯正錯誤、賠償受害者、停買計畫,並預防類似侵害再次發生。
主持人:凃又文|環境權保障基金會執行長
發言人:
阮文雄神父|天主教新竹教區越南移工移民辦公室主任
弗拉基米爾・斯利魏雅克(Vladimir Slivyak)|俄羅斯環保團體生態保衛組織(Ecodefence)創辦人、2021年另類諾貝爾獎得主
艾薩克・列維(Isaac Levi)|能源與清潔空氣研究中心(CREA)歐洲-俄羅斯政策與能源分析團隊負責人
孫興瑄|環境權保障基金會研究員
江孟真|人權公約施行監督聯盟辦公室主任
監督台塑越鋼聯盟成員:人權公約施行監督聯盟、天主教新竹教區越南移工移民辦公室、台塑受害者正義會(JFFV)、台灣人權促進會、環境法律人協會、環境權保障基金會
Press Release by Monitor Formosa Alliance and Taiwan Transnational Corporation Watch
Polluting Vietnam, Aiding Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, Market Will Sanction Formosa Plastics Group’s Greenwashing
Monitor Formosa Alliance and Taiwan Transnational Corporation Watch (TTNC Watch) held a press conference today (June 19) before Formosa Plastics Corporation’s annual general meeting, titled “Polluting Vietnam, Aiding Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, Market Will Sanction Formosa Plastics Group’s Greenwashing.” They revealed that Formosa Plastics is a major buyer of Russian coal imported into Taiwan, thereby funding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, the human rights and environmental violations caused by Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Corporation in Vietnam remain unresolved, with the oppression faced by the victims worsening.
Two representatives from Europe attended the event: Vladimir Slivyak, founder of the Russian environmental group Ecodefense and winner of the 2021 Right Livelihood Award, and Isaac Levi, Europe-Russia Policy & Energy Analysis Team Lead at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). They, along with researchers Hsu Po Jen and Sun Hsin Hsuan from the Environmental Rights Foundation, directly entered the Formosa Plastics shareholders meeting. They called on the top management of Formosa Plastics to stop purchasing Russian coal, cease global pollution, and compensate the victims, providing concrete plans and timelines. Otherwise, under the global supply chain’s sustainability reforms, Formosa Plastics will face significant sanction risks and could be eliminated from the market. However, representatives of Formosa Plastics did not provide any response at the shareholders meeting.
Formosa Plastics Group’s Purchase of Russian Coal Violates Human Rights and Go Against Global Sanction Trends
Vladimir Slivyak, founder of the Russian environmental organization Ecodefense, stated that the war in Ukraine, which has now lasted over two years, has caused tens of thousands of innocent Ukrainian casualties, with many more forced to live in fear and under threat. He asserted that resisting Russian aggression and authoritarianism is an unavoidable responsibility for democratic countries worldwide.
Mr. Slivyak pointed out that fossil fuels are one of the most crucial economic lifelines supporting Russia’s authoritarian regime and its external aggressions. This is why, following Putin’s full-scale invasion in 2022, European countries and the United States promptly imposed bans on importing Russian fossil fuels. However, Taiwanese companies continue to purchase coal from Russia, with Formosa Plastics Group being one of the major buyers. This ongoing purchase effectively funds the dictator’s war of aggression, harming the Ukrainian people. This practice not only violates Formosa Plastics’ own sustainability commitments but also severely damages Taiwan’s image within the international democratic community.
Mr. Slivyak called on Formosa Plastics Group, as a major Taiwanese corporation, to immediately cease purchasing coal from Russia. He emphasized that continuing to support a regime that invades, violates human rights, and destroys the environment not only makes them complicit but also poses a significant risk to investors.
Isaac Levi, Europe-Russia Policy & Energy Analysis Team Lead at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), added that Taiwan has become the fifth-largest importer of Russian coal globally since the Russia-Ukraine war began. Over the past year, the volume of Russian coal imported by Taiwanese companies has continued to grow, increasing dependence on Russian coal, which is deeply concerning.
Mr.Levi stated that according to CREA’s statistics, Formosa Plastics Group has purchased over $100 million worth of Russian coal since the onset of the war, making it one of Taiwan’s largest buyers of Russian coal. These expenditures are funding the Russian government’s military aggression. Taiwan has increased its reliance on Russian coal from 12% of their total supply in 2022 to 18% in 2024.
Mr.Levi also highlighted that key suppliers of Russian coal to Taiwan in the past two years, including Suek AG, appear to be added on the United States sanctions list. If Taiwanese companies engage in transactions with sanctioned Russian entities, they risk significant repercussions by being added to the sanctions list. From an energy security angle, it is essential that Taiwan reduces its reliance on energy sources from one seller to avoid the threat of spikes in prices and supply issues.
Mr.Levi urged Formosa Plastics Group to quickly present a concrete plan and timeline to stop purchasing Russian coal. He also called for transparency by publicly disclosing relevant information, allowing Taiwanese and international communities, along with Formosa’s global shareholders and investors, to scrutinize their actions.
Formosa Plastics Group’s Pollution Spans the Globe; Vietnamese Victims Face Continuous Repression by Authoritarian Regime
Father Peter Nguyen Van Hung stated that the actions of the Vietnamese government represent a severe violation of human rights and a blatant obstruction of justice. Victims seeking legal redress have been systematically denied access to the courts, with the government employing police forces to torture and subsequently imprison activists who dare to advocate for justice. This oppressive behavior extends beyond the activists themselves, as the government has also harassed and threatened the relatives of those who lodge complaints, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation designed to silence dissent.
Father Nguyen further noted that in a recent escalation, the government mobilized local security forces and police to prevent plaintiffs from traveling to Hanoi. This move was specifically aimed at obstructing their efforts to authorize Taiwanese lawyers to prosecute the board of directors of Formosa Steel Ha-Tinh, a company implicated in significant environmental and social harm. By blocking these plaintiffs from seeking international legal assistance, the government denies justice to the victims and shields corporate wrongdoers from accountability.
Father Nguyen pointed out that these actions highlight a systematic abuse of power and a deliberate strategy to suppress any attempts at legal recourse. The international community must take note of these egregious violations and pressure the Vietnamese government to respect human rights, ensure the safety and freedom of activists and their families, and allow due process in the pursuit of justice against Formosa Steel Ha-Tinh. Without such intervention, the victims will continue to suffer in silence, and the principles of justice and human dignity will remain under threat in Vietnam.
Chiang Meng Chen, office director, Covenant Watch, read a statement on behalf of Patricia Gossman, Associate Asia Director at Human Rights Watch. The statement emphasized that Formosa admitted responsibility for the disaster and pledged US$500 million in compensation—not to the victims but to the Vietnamese government. Residents of affected provinces have complained about the lack of transparency in the payment of the compensation, including obstacles to claiming damages and misappropriation of funds by local authorities. Moreover,Vietnamese authorities have also repressed protests over the disaster, with at least 41 activists involved in the protests sentenced to to many years in prison, and 31 still behind bars. Taiwan’s courts should consider other methods of notarization and extend the deadline for submission, which is currently the end of this week. The courts should not compound injustice by accommodating Vietnamese government repression.
Paloma Henriques, Senior Petrochemical Campaigner at FOE US, stated that FOE US is campaigning against the fossil fuel companies that are increasing petrochemical production by turning the toxic waste products of fossil fuel refining into products they can sell. More specifically, we’re fighting the public and private financing that gets petrochemical plants off the ground. Some banks have committed to stopping fossil fuel financing, but we must go further; These commitments need to include not only coal, oil, and gas production, but also petrochemicals, which are the building blocks of plastic. Big banks like Bank of America, J.P. Morgan Chase, and Wells Fargo have the opportunity to take the lead in transforming their industry by refusing to finance petrochemical giants like Formosa. We call on financiers, insurers, and investors to refuse to support any new petrochemical projects, and instead invest in industries that truly benefit everyone.
Ms. Paloma also pointed out that FOE US works with the International Monitor Formosa Plastics Alliance (IMFPA) to hold Formosa Plastics accountable to their environmental and social harms around the world, with a focus on ongoing fights in Vietnam, Texas and Louisiana. In Texas, the Point Comfort facility continues to fail every thrice weekly test following the $50 million USD Clean Water Act settlement and zero discharge of plastic mandate. The fines for this ongoing pollution now total over $18 million USD. In the face of this disaster, Formosa Plastics continues with plans to expand the facility. In Louisiana, the proposed 2,400 acre “Sunshine Project” would add 800 tons of toxic air pollution and 13.6 million tons of greenhouse gases to a community so overburdened with industrial pollution that they call the area “Cancer Alley”. FOE US and IMFPA call for an end to the reckless expansion of petrochemical projects in the United States and abroad, and justice for the communities already harmed by Formosa Plastics, including the four provinces in Vietnam affected by the Ha Tinh steel marine disaster.
Global supply chain sustainability reform is gaining momentum. Formosa Plastics must present responsive measures.
Researcher Sun Hsin Hsuan from the Environmental Rights Foundation pointed out that at the end of May, the European Union officially adopted the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). This directive not only regulates EU enterprises but also directly oversees non-EU enterprises, including large Taiwanese corporations. The CSDDD requires companies to take responsibility not only for their own operations but also for the environmental, human rights, and climate impacts throughout their supply chains. Companies that fail to implement due diligence on human rights and environmental issues as required by law may face administrative penalties, up to 5% of their global annual turnover. If damages occur due to a company’s failure to conduct due diligence, they could also face civil liability.
Ms.Sun stated that this is the first globally impactful and mandatory law of its kind, elevating ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) responsibilities from mere rhetoric to legal obligations. Companies can no longer make empty promises or evade responsibility. From the major ocean pollution incident in Vietnam to ongoing significant imports of Russian coal funding authoritarian regimes, Formosa Plastics Group continues to cause environmental and human rights violations worldwide. These actions would constitute violations under the CSDDD framework. Faced with substantial financial, legal, and reputational risks, Formosa Plastics Group, including Formosa Plastics Corporation which is holding its shareholders meeting today, must clearly explain to investors how they will be affected by the EU directive and how they plan to comply with the global trend towards mandatory due diligence. At the same time, Formosa Plastics must propose specific timelines and clear actions to rectify past mistakes, compensate victims, halt purchases, and prevent similar violations from recurring.
Time: 9:00 AM, June 20 (Thursday)
Location: ILLUME TAIPEI, 100 Dunhua North Road, Songshan District, Taipei
Host:
- Tu Yu Wen | Executive Director, Environmental Rights Foundation
Speakers:
- Peter Nguyen Van Hung | Director, Vietnam Migrant Workers and Immigrants Office
- Vladimir Slivyak | Founder, Ecodefense, Russia, and 2021 Right Livelihood Award Laureate
- Isaac Levi | Europe-Russia Policy and Energy Analysis Team Lead, Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA)
- Sun Hsin Hsuan | Researcher, Environmental Rights Foundation
- Chiang Meng Chen | Office Director, Covenant Watch