THESIS
As the demand for oil increased in the 1980's, Unocal, a United States oil company, negotiated with the military junta of Burma to construct a pipeline that would reap economic benefits for both parties. Through entrusting the historically corrupt government to provide security for the project, these business partners both became liable for the human rights and environmental abuses being committed during the pipeline construction. Standing up for the indigenous rights of the people, a leader arose, Ka Hsaw Wa, who would listen, document, and expose these injustices to the world.
In response to the lack of responsibility that international corporations held for their actions overseas, Ka Hsaw Wa co-founded the non-profit organization EarthRights International that would defend the environment and rights of the people through legal opposition against Unocal in United States court. This case became a model for other overseas human rights abuses, where no responsibility or justice was upheld. Through the spread of EarthRights’ educative mission, Ka Hsaw Wa is developing student leaders from various regions of the world by increasing their awareness of and self advocacy for indigenous rights, ultimately leading them towards a more hopeful future, while simultaneously setting a precedent for future social-justice organizations.
In response to the lack of responsibility that international corporations held for their actions overseas, Ka Hsaw Wa co-founded the non-profit organization EarthRights International that would defend the environment and rights of the people through legal opposition against Unocal in United States court. This case became a model for other overseas human rights abuses, where no responsibility or justice was upheld. Through the spread of EarthRights’ educative mission, Ka Hsaw Wa is developing student leaders from various regions of the world by increasing their awareness of and self advocacy for indigenous rights, ultimately leading them towards a more hopeful future, while simultaneously setting a precedent for future social-justice organizations.