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November 30, 2006
1000 Bhopals photo exhibition launched by Kanimozhi
INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR JUSTICE IN BHOPAL, CHENNAI, NOVEMBER 29, 2006
Renowned poet Ms. Kanimozhi launched the ‘1000 Bhopals’ photo exhibition at the Lalit Kala Akademy today. The exhibition that displayed images from various toxic hotspots across India is part of the week long activities organized by the International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal as a lead up to the 22nd Anniversary of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.
The photo and painting exhibition primarily focuses on chemical pollution and its impact on human and environmental health and aims at raising awareness of the general public about the consumption of chemicals and its impact on the future generations and on people who share their backyards with facilities that make such chemicals. Though the exhibit displays images of Endosulphan poisoning in Kasargode, Kerala and chemical pollution from the Golden Corridor in Gujarat, the main focus is on Tamilnadu where places like Cuddalore, Mettur, Manali and Chengelpet are severely impacted by industrial pollution.
The exhibition also aims to generate public opinion on further expansion of SIPCOT Cuddalore that is already reeling under pollution from the 19 chemical industries that it houses. Air samples taken inside the estate revealed the presence of at least 25 toxic chemicals including 8 carcinogens, some at levels 20,000 times above those prescribed by the US Environment Protection Agency.
There are plans underway to divert 4 toxic and 2 industrial infrastructure projects to SIPCOT Cuddalore including a 170,000 tons per annum PVC plant, a six million tons per annum oil refinery, a 4000MW coal-fired power plant, a Textile Park a la Tiruppur and pipelines to pump effluents from leather tanneries in Ambur-Vaniyambadi and Tiruppur textile dyeing units into the Cuddalore sea.
The exhibition is on until the 4th of December 2006 between 10am and 5pm at Lalit Kala Akademy No. 4 Greams Road, Thousand Lights, Chennai.
For more information contact Dharmesh Shah – 9444416546
Issued by: SIPCOT Area Community Environmental Monitoring, Cuddalore District Consumer Protection Organisation, DEPORT, Youth for Social Change and The Other Media.
Supported by: West Gonur Farmers Welfare Association, Manali Youth Exnora, Students from Chennai, Liberation Tigers of Fisherfolks, South India Fishermen Welfare Association, Tamilnadu Meenavar Munnetra Kazhagam, Human Rights Initaitive of Tamilnadu, Pondycherry Unit of DYFI, Pondicherry Science Forum, Guide Chengalpet, Thandai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam.
Posted by bhola at 07:31 PM | Comments (0)
November 19, 2006
Survivors' organisations castigate MP government for failure to prevent chemical accidents
Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmachari Sangh
Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha
Bhopal Group for Information and Action
Bhopal ki Aawaaz
November 18, 2006
PRESS STATEMENT
Four organizations working on issues of the December 1984 Union Carbide disaster in Bhopal today condemned the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh for his abject failure to protect people from chemical accidents. They pointed out that the committee appointed by the Chief Minister has failed to bring out the facts related to the leakage of poisonous gases 25 kilometers from Bhopal on October 14, 2006. The organizations also held the Chief Minister responsible for the total lack of health care facilities for the villagers who continue to suffer from the effects of the gas leak.
Leaders of these organizations said that the so called investigations by the Principal Secretary, Housing and Environment, Government of Madhya Pradesh towards identifying the leaked gas and the source of leakage have yielded no facts. According to them the official report contains nothing but baseless conjectures aimed at protecting the offending companies of Mandideep.
Rachna Dhingra and Satinath Sarangi of Bhopal Group for Information and Action who visited the affected villages the day after the gas leak pointed out that the affected people had clearly indicated that the clouds of poisonous gases came from the direction of Mandideep industrial area which is less than 2 kilometers as the crow flies. According to them pointing a finger at itinerant chemical carriers, as has been done in the official investigation report, was malafide and aimed at protecting the guilty.
Rashida Bee and Champa Devi Shukla from Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh who visited the affected villages earlier this month said that almost every one in these villages was still suffering from burning sensation in chest and stomach, lack of appetite, indigestion, pain in limbs, insomnia, fatigue, burning in eyes and other symptoms. They found that children were the most affected in the exposed population. They were appalled to find that no arrangements had been made for providing treatment to the affected villagers. Right after the gas leak the victims were indiscriminately prescribed steroids and antibiotics by doctors at Jaiprakash Hospital.
The organizations held that given the large number of poisonous chemicals stored, used, produced and emitted by factories in Mandideep industrial area, the gas leak of October 14 could well be a warning for a mega disaster like that in Bhopal 22 years back. According to them apprehending and punishing the guilty is essential for protecting the neighbourhood populations from such a disaster. The failure of the Chief Minister clearly points out that the state government has learnt no lessons from the Bhopal disaster and that people’s life and health continue to be as unprotected as they were 22 years back.
Rashida Bee, Champa Devi Shukla
Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmachari Sangh
94256 88215
Syed M Irfan,
Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha
93290 26319
Shahid Noor
Bhopal ki Aawaaz
98261 82226
Rachna Dhingra, Satinath Sarangi
Bhopal Group for Information and Action
98261 67369
Contact :
House No. 12, Gali No. 2, Near Naseer Masjid, Bag Umrao Dulha, Bhopal 462 010
For latest information on Bhopal disaster please visit www.bhopal.net
Posted by bhola at 09:02 AM | Comments (0)
November 08, 2006
India hostile to chemical industries, Bhopalis warns Indiachem attendees
INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR JUSTICE IN BHOPAL, NOVEMBER 8, 2006
November 8, 2006. MUMBAI -- More than 200 Bhopalis chained themselves to the entrance of the Grand Intercontinental where India's largest chemical industry trade fair was inaugurated today. Even as the Government laid out the red carpet to the global chemical industry, survivors of the 1984 Union Carbide disaster warned chemical companies that they will find India a very hostile place to do business. "No Justice; No Business," the Bhopalis shouted specifically targeting Dow Chemical, the US multinational that now owns Union Carbide. One slogan belted out by the women-led gathering clearly laid out the fate facing chemical companies: "Peddlers of poison will be beaten with shoes." Survivors have said that Dow Chemical's worst financial year has now begun.
The high-profile trade event which featured a special address by Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers Ram Vilas Paswan was thrown off schedule by more than two hours, even as organizers frantically ran around to do damage control. Mr. Paswan, who met the protesting survivors, after addressing the Indiachem gathering expressed his disappointment at the failure of the Madhya Pradesh Government to fulfill the basic demands relating to drinking water, and medical and economic rehabilitation. In April 2006, Bhopalis who undertook an 800 km walk to New Delhi and camped out on the streets for more than 15 days finally won a commitment from the Prime Minister on clean water, and medical and economic rehabilitation. Mr. Paswan told the Bhopalis that he has already written to the Human Resources Ministry regarding inclusion of the story of the Union Carbide disaster in educational curriculum, and to the Home Ministry regarding earmarking December 3 Bhopal anniversary as a national day of mourning.
Mr. Paswan reiterated the Government's commitment, but was reminded of the lack of progress since April. He said the Central Government has released Rs. 14 crores for water, and will write to the Madhya Pradesh Government to enquire about the lack of progress. Mr. Paswan also agreed to survivors' demand that people affected by consuming contaminated water should also receive free medical treatment.
More than 20,000 Bhopalis, including gas victims, are being forced to consume groundwater contaminated by poisons leaching out of Union Carbide's toxic waste dumps. Dow Chemical, which has launched a multimillion dollar advertising blitz to shore up its credentials and green its image, has steadfastly refused to pay for cleaning up the aquifers. The Minister, however, said he agreed with the recommendations of the Technical Sub-committee of the Task Force set up by the Jabalpur High Court on the matter of toxic waste clean-up in Bhopal. The Sub-committee has recommended that Dow Chemical should be made to clean-up the wastes and repatriate it to the United States for treatment and disposal. Mr. Paswan also said he would write to the Ministry of Agriculture to enquire how Dow's pesticide Dursban, which is barred for domestic use, has been permitted for general use in India.
The US industry has made no bones about its displeasure over the lingering legacy in Bhopal. In fact, the US-India CEO Forum, which has become an extra-constitutional policy advisory body for the UPA Government, has identified the need for speedy arbitrated settlements for future liabilities like the Bhopal disaster as a pre-condition for attracting investments in India. The Prime Minister has reportedly set up a Task Force within the Planning Commission to follow up on this recommendation.
Bhopal survivors are incensed at the insensitivity of the Government in inviting more chemical industries while liabilities surrounding the world's worst industrial disaster remain unresolved. Addressing a press conference two days prior to the trade fair, Bhopal survivors and representatives from pollution impacted communities in Cuddalore (Tamilnadu), Patancheru (Andhra Pradesh), and Gujarat highlighted the numerous locations within India that were suffering from very similar problems – poisoned groundwater; widespread ill-health due to air and water pollution; a devastated local economy due to industrial pollution; lack of access to medical services; absence of medical monitoring and research; and business-as-usual for the polluters.
Bhopal ki Aawaaz
Bhopal Group for Information & Action
Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangarsh Morcha
Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmachari Sangh
For more information, contact: Rachna Dhingra: +91 9967384492 or Nityanand Jayaraman: +91 9444082401
Posted by bhola at 12:03 PM | Comments (0)
November 04, 2006
Bhopal survivors will lead representatives of more than 2 million chemical industry victims to protest the IndiaChem 2006 trade fair
Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmachari Sangh
Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha
Bhopal Group for Information and Action
Bhopal ki Aawaaz
Press Conference, November 2, 2006
Addressing a Press Conference today, representatives of four organisations active on the lingering issues of the December 1984 Union Carbide disaster in Bhopal declared that they would go to Mumbai on November 6 to protest against the Indian government's red-carpet welcome to multinational chemical corporations.
Victims of toxic gas exposure and contaminated ground water in Bhopal will be leading representatives of over 2 million victims of chemical corporations in the country in opposing the largest Indian chemical industry trade fair – Indiachem 2006, to be held in Mumbai from November 8, 2006.
The 350 Indian and multinational corporations participating in the trade fair include Chisso Corporation responsible for the Minamata mercury pollution disaster in Japan and Mitsubishi Corporations that caused large scale radioactive pollution and forest felling in Malaysia. In addition to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, 7 secretaries of the Central government will be taking part in the conference being organized as part of Indiachem 2006.
Representatives of more than 2 million victims of ongoing industrial disasters from Mettur and Cuddalore in Tamilnadu, Vapi and Ankleshwar in Gujarat, Warangal and Patancheru in Andhra Pradesh and Eloor in Kerala will be joining Bhopal victims for the demonstrations against the trade fair in Mumbai.
Despite the irreparable damage to human health and environment caused by chemical corporations in India the Indian government and the Indian Prime Minister are extending a red carpet welcome to multinational chemical corporations offering economic incentives and relaxation of rules related to environmental pollution and legal liabilities in case of industrial disasters.
The government is set upon creating Special Economic Zones in 9 states where multinational corporations are promised unfettered profit making. While Warren Anderson and other officials of Union carbide responsible for the massacre in Bhopal continue to abscond from justice the Indian government is making secret deals with foreign multinationals by which these corporations would be absolved of liabilities in case of a disaster.
Rashida Bee, Champa Devi Shukla
Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmachari Sangh
94256 88215
Syed M Irfan,
Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha
93290 26319
Shahid Noor
Bhopal ki Aawaaz
98261 82226
Satinath Sarangi
Bhopal Group for Information and Action
98261 67369
Contact :
House No. 12, Gali No. 2, Near Naseer Masjid, Bag Umrao Dulha, Bhopal 462 010
For latest information on Bhopal disaster please visit www.bhopal.net
Posted by bhola at 05:11 PM | Comments (0)
November 02, 2006
Outside the jail and looking in: raising a ruckus in Texas
TEXAS JAIL PROJECT, PRESS RELEASE, NOVEMBER 2, 2006
Contact:
TEXAS JAIL PROJECT
http://www.texasjailproject.org
Diana Claitor
512-442-1216
Diana@texasjailproject.org
Diane Wilson
361-785-4680 or 361-676-0663 (cell)
wilsonalamobay@aol.com
Austin, Texas. Texas Jail Project, a newly formed advocacy group made up of former women inmates and jail activists will speak during the public input period at the quarterly meeting of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards on November 2, Thursday, 9am at the William P. Clements Bldg, 1st floor, Room 103, Austin, Texas.
Diana Claitor, co-founder of TJP and a resident of Austin, stated, "The Commission points to their limited role in setting standards for jails, but we believe they must play a larger role in ensuring women's health and safety in these jails. The plain truth is that since the Commission's inspectors are the only ones reporting on conditions in these facilities, they must begin to speak out and advocate for humane conditions, beyond the fire exits and number of guards. We need them to shed light on the shamefully inadequate health care and isolation of women who often have no representation or means of communication."
A recent study, Texas County Jails, 2001 - A Status Report, published similar findings: "Local jails and holding institutions present one of the most perplexing, confusing and generally misunderstood areas of the entire criminal justice system. Funding agents (county commissioners or supervisors) often view the jail with disdain. No organized lobby or influential interest groups advocate increased spending for jails. Perhaps, from a political perspective, this is because jails have no 'sex appeal."
With the exception of reforms initiated by judicial intervention during the 1970's and the 1980's, local jails often reflect practices and structures dating back to the 19 century. This lack of administrative priority and workplace status inevitably leads to a negative institutional environment. (Gaines, Kaune & Miller, 2000)
The Texas Jail Project was formed by concerned citizens after Diane Wilson, environmentalist and peace activist from Seadrift, Texas was sentenced to 125 days in jail for an act of civil disobedience and spent time in both Harris and Victoria County. Wilson later wrote an open letter to the sheriff, judges, jail administrators, Commission on Jail Standards, and Governor Rick Perry about the unhealthy, inhumane, and degrading jail conditions.
(Public input at the Texas Commission on Jail Standards is usually at the end of the meeting, sometime in the early afternoon.)
Posted by bhola at 03:16 PM | Comments (0)
Hunger strikers in second week of protest against proposed dirty coal-burning power plants in Texas
November 2, 2006
Protestors to outline efforts to block fast-tracking of sites that would mean more premature death, illness for Texans; preliminary hearings on TXU plants expected shortly.
NEWS ADVISORY, November 2, 2006
Hunger strikers calling for a reversal of Governor Perry's executive order fast-tracking permits for proposed coal-burning power plants in Texas will update reporters on November 2, 2006 as they enter the ninth day of their fight for protecting clean air and the health of Texans. The hunger strike, which commenced on October 25, 2006, began in conjunction with the anniversary of the order that fast-tracked permits. Preliminary hearings, under the fast-track order, are set to begin shortly for a number of the most recently proposed TXU coal-burning power plants. Since the executive order last October, the number of proposed plants has grown from 7 to 19, only one of which would use the cleanest technology available.
News event participants will be:
* SEED Coalition Executive Director Karen Hadden; works with communities statewide
* Robertson County Our Land Our Lives President Paul Rolke, - near proposed TXU Oak Grove plant
* Shrimper, author and Gulf Coast activist Diane Wilson - near two proposed Calhoun County petroleum coke fueled electric plants, regulated as coal plants, and with similar pollutants
TO PARTICIPATE:
Two events will be held:
(1) a live, phone-based statewide news conference (with full Q&A) at 1 p.m. CT/2:00 p.m. ET on November 2, 2006 at 1 (800) 860-2442 - Ask for the Texas power plant hunger strike news event
(2) an in-person media availability with the hunger strikers at 2:00 p.m. CT/3:00 p.m. ET on November 2, 2006 in the Speaker's Committee Room at the Texas State Capitol, 1100 Congress, Austin, Texas.
CAN'T PARTICIPATE?
A streaming audio replay of the phone-based news event will be available on the Web at http://www.StoptheCoalPlant.org as of 5 p.m. CT/6 p.m. ET on November 2, 2006.
CONTACT: Patrick Mitchell, (703) 276-3266 or pmitchell@hastingsgroup.com.
ABOUT THE GROUPS
The Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) Coalition is an alliance of individuals, businesses, and organizations advocating sustainable energy strategies for Texas, including the use of renewables and conservation. SEED also educates the public about the economic, environmental, and health benefits of a sustainable energy strategy. Visit SEED on the Web at http://www.seedcoalition.org.
Posted by bhola at 03:11 PM | Comments (0)