‘Governments have a duty to respect their citizens, not only through appropriate legislation and enforcement, but also be protecting them from damaging acts that may be perpetrated by private parties.’ SERAC Case, para 57 The communities were also not consulted before the companies began operation. Security forces were unleashed to attack, burn and destroy their villages, homes and farmlands whenever they tried to protect. The complainants alleged that these activities of the Nigerian government violated the rights of the Ogoni people to enjoy the best attainable state of physical and mental health, clean environment, property, natural resources and adequate housing. ‘The right to food is inseparably linked to the dignity of human beings and is therefore essential for the enjoyment and fulfillment of such other rights as health, education, work and political participation….. The minimum core of the right to food requires that…government should not destroy or contaminate food sources.’ SERAC Case, para 65 The Commission found the Nigerian government in violation of the Charter. It appealed to the government to stop attacks on Ogoni communities, ensure adequate compensation for victims of the violations and also to undertake appropriate environmental and social impact assessments for future oil development.  Jonah Gbemre v. Shell, NNPC AGF (supra) 101