Acting under the name Menschenrecht vor Bergrecht – Human Rights Before Mining Rights – the alliance of villagers announced at a press conference in Düsseldorf on Monday they would refuse an expropriation agreement with RWE under which the energy company would pay to resettle them. This would mean the company would have to apply to the regional government for formal permission to dispossess the residents. “If RWE does not agree we can keep this piece of land, we will use legal means to defend it. “Three-quarters of villagers have concluded negotiations over compensation payments, and their villages will be rebuilt in new locations,” said Guido Steffen. “We take notice of the villagers’ announcement and regret that these steps have to be taken,” he added.

Source: The Guardian September 30, 2019 13:41 UTC