A North Dakota-based pipeline company has requested a North Dakota court to block a countersuit filed against it in the Netherlands, following a recent court ruling that held Greenpeace liable for its involvement in demonstrations against the Dakota Access Pipeline in 2016.
The lawsuit stems from the environmental organization’s participation in protests that opposed the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, a project that has been a focal point of environmental and indigenous rights activism. The court’s ruling earlier this year found Greenpeace liable for its role in these demonstrations, which led to the company seeking legal action to prevent the countersuit from proceeding in the Netherlands.
Greenpeace’s involvement in the protests has been a subject of controversy, with the organization defending its actions as a necessary response to the environmental risks posed by the pipeline. The pipeline company, which won a significant verdict against Greenpeace earlier this year, is now attempting to block the countersuit, stating that the legal proceedings are not applicable in the Netherlands.
The case highlights the growing legal tensions between environmental activists and corporate entities, particularly in projects with significant environmental and social impacts. The outcome of this legal battle could have broader implications for how environmental groups are treated in international legal processes.