Channa Samkalden is specialized in liability for human rights violations, both in the Netherlands and abroad. Her practice focuses on liability of multinationals for human rights violations (‘business and human rights’), and violations of constitutional law in the Netherlands. For example, she succesfully held Shell liable on behalf of four Nigerian farmers and the Dutch branch of Friends of the Earth (in Dutch: Milieudefensie) in a case concerning oil pollution in Nigeria. She also represents the Foundation Right to Protection from Aircraft Nuisance (in Dutch: Stichting Recht op Bescherming tegen Vliegtuighinder; or ‘RBV’) in a case against the State of the Netherlands because of the severe nuisance caused by aircraft noise around Schiphol airport. Channa obtained a PhD at the European University Institute in Italy on the topic of freedom of religion and the separation of church and state.

Chambers praises Channa in the Spotlight table voor Business & Human Rights Law: Claimant-Side expertise: "Channa Samkalden is very impressive and tenacious and has a string of victories to her belt." And: "Channa Samkalden is excellent, she's an absolutely brilliant lawyer and trailblazing in Dutch jurisdictions for this area." 

Jurisdictions

• Human rights
• Business & Human Rights

Lawyer since

E-mail

Additional functions

In the media

• 2Doc, ‘Esther and the Law’, Tatiana Scheltema, 2023.
• NRC ‘Shell betaalt 15 miljoen schadevergoeding na olielekken in Nigeria, (23 December 2022)
• NOS Nieuws, ’Consumentenbond Bonaire start rechtszaak tegen Nederlandse Staat om armoede’, (13 December 2022)
• NPO, 'Brainwash Talks: Channa Samkalden, universele mensenrechten' (21 February 2021) 
• Reuters, 'Environmentalists, farmers win Dutch court case over Shell Nigeria spills' (29 January 2021)
• The Guardian: 'Dutch court will hear widows' case against Shell over deaths of Ogoni Nine' (1 May 2019)
• Mr.: 'Toegang tot recht moet boven aan politieke agenda', interview (23 April 2019)
• The Guardian: 'Bank faces lawsuit over Honduras dam project as spirit of Berta Cáceres lives on' (18 May 2018)
• NRC Handelsblad, ‘Syriër wint zaak tegen PowNed,’  https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2015/12/16/syrier-wint-zaak-tegen-powned-1570650-a450233 (16 December 2015)
• Opzij: 'Channa Samkalden: "Als je iemands leven kunt redden, grijp je die kans toch?"', interview (January 2015)