Led by four local organizations, victims of chronic exposure to groundwater contaminated by Union Carbide’s poisonous wastes, today formed a human chain near the long abandoned pesticide factory. Demonstrating on the eve of the 35th anniversary of the Union Carbide disaster in Bhopal, the victims demanded free health care, clean-up of the contaminated lands and adequate compensation from Dow Chemical, current owner of Union Carbide. The organizations said that the MP government’s plan to build a memorial to the disaster at the factory site was but a cover-up for this ongoing crime against the environment and people.
Addressing a press conference today, four organizations campaigning for justice on the Union Carbide disaster in Bhopal charged the central and the state governments of continued collusion with Union Carbide and its current owner Dow Chemical. To support their charge, the organizations presented documents obtained under RTI on the suppression of findings of a study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) that could be used to substantiate the Curative Petition for additional compensation for the disaster.
For over three decades, several survivor led organizations have been fighting for justice and a life of dignity (proper health care, economic and social rehabilitation and safe living conditions). On the 35th anniversary of the Bhopal Gas Disaster, the survivors have specific demands of the Governments of Indian and USA and Dow Chemical.
ethecon Foundation for ethics and economy is a German environmental organisation. This first – and until now only – foundation that is critical of globalization and corporations. Ethecon has initiated campaigns against Monsanto, Nestlé, Blackwater and TEPCO and has contributed significantly to the construction of a self-governing children’s hospital in Fukushima, which commenced operation in 2013.
Once a year, ethecon Foundation hosts a public award show in Berlin, where they award the Blue Planet Award and the Dead Planet Award. “The Blue Planet Award honours heroic engagement for the preservation of our blue Planet and conversely the Dead Planet Award names and shames those responsible for it’s exploitation, destruction and ultimately downfall to a dead, inhospitable Globe.”
As the Bhopal Gas Disaster enters its 35th year, the ICJB is organizing its 6th annual Global Solidarity Fast. With this fast, you are expressing solidarity and sharing in their grief and pain of those who died December 3rd 1984, and those who continue to suffer now.
This fast also includes a fundraising goal. As it is the 35th anniversary, we are asking fasters to set a fundraising goal of $35 or $350. If you are not able to raise funds, we appreciate your support in fasting with us.
