By Michael E. Sanchez
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia     

 

BHOPAL, India- Indian officials have dismissed claims that the pesticide plant at Bhopal is still leaking dangerous toxins into the drinking water.  Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that the plant was safe, contradicting claims in a new report.  

On 3 December 1984, thousands died after 40 tons of deadly methyl isocyanate gaw leaked from the US-owned plant.  Over half a million people were exposed to the gas, and as a result have suffered life-long chronic illness.

Speaking in an interview ahead of the 25th anniversary of the disaster, Mr. Chouhan said that the neighboring communities near the site had been supplied with clean drinking water.  “It took some time…But we managed this quickly, and we can say that we are providing 100% clean water.”

These statements are contradicted by a report by the Bhopal Medical Appeal (BMA) and the Sambhavna Clinic.  Their report says there is evidence that “there are still high levels of toxic chemicals in the drinking water supply in 15 communities near the old Union Carbide pesticide plant”.  The report says the water around the factory site in Bhopal still possesses unsafe levels of carbon tetrachloride, other organic pollutants, and other heavy metals.

The report claims that as a result, “the populations in the areas surveyed have high rates of birth defects, rapidly rising cancer rates, neurological damage, chaotic menstrual cycles and mental illness.”

While Mr. Chouhan insists that clean water was supplied to communities without running water, many residents said the water was insufficient and delivered too infrequently, forcing them to continue relying on contaminated ground water.

Sathyu Sarangi, of the Sambhavna Clinic said, “We have ample evidence, that there are many toxins still in the ground that have never been cleaned up…Each time it rains, the rain washes those toxins into the ground water, which many people still draw to drink.”

The Indian government has also drawn the ire of the people by attempting to turn the disused factory into a tourist spot. India’s environment minister, Jairam Ramesh mocked activists on a visit to the city by picking up a handful of waste and saying “see, I am alive.”

Sarangi says the government has been attempting to lure Dow Chemical, Union Carbide’s successor back to India and secure $1 billion of investment. In return, says Sarangi, the government plans to allow Dow to evade its responsibility to clean up the Bhopal plant site.  She said “This is all about the money. “Politicians in India would rather do this than fight for people who suffered.”

 

For information, please see:

BBC News- Officials Dismiss Claims Bhopal Site is Leaking Toxins–  1 December 2009

Guardian.co.uk- Bhopal Water Still Toxic 25 Years After Deadly Gas Leak, Study Finds– 1 December 2009

Nzherald.co.nz- Bhopal a Poisoned City 25 Years On– 2 December 2009

By Alok Bhatt
Impunity Watch Reproter, Asia

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – The Sri Lankan government has at least conceded to and begun releasing the remaining internally displaced persons from war-time refugee camps.  Over 120,000 Tamil ethnic minorities have been taking refuge in government-run camps since the late defeat of the Tamil Tiger insurgency group this May.  Despite international pressure from the U.N. and various NGO’s and other human rights organizations, the Sri Lankan government has been obstinate in the full release of IDP’s from the refugee camps. 

 The Sri Lankan government has cited concerns that estranged Tamil Tigers may be hiding among the civilian Tamils.  To supposedly ameliorate the potential problems of enemy militants among the non-combatant nationals, the Sri Lankan government executed a comprehensive screening program to identify and remove Tamil Tigers from the refugee camps.  The Sri Lankan government also claimed that landmines could be located in the vicinities outside of the refugee camps and refused to release IDP’s en masse until all of them were located and safely defused or detonated.  The effectiveness of these safety measures does not seem to have been reported, but, assuming the honesty of the Sri Lankan government, its willingness of to at last release IDP’s suggests success.  

Although the Sri Lankan government has finally folded to international pressure, myriad concerns persist.  Transport out of the camps poses a significant obstacle for many who were taken to camps far away from their home.  Also, many people who have had their homes destroyed by the war or monsoon season no longer have a place to go.  Many have opted to stay in the camps, since evacuation is not compulsory.  Rather, all restrictions on IDP’s have been lifted, enabling them to enter and exit the camp areas at their whim.  

Although the camp areas are essentially open ground for the IDP’s, Sri Lankan officials have issued statements declaring that the security levels within the camps will not decrease.  

The decision to release IDP’s comes after many unfulfilled promises by the Sri Lankan government.  The full release is a significant step towards the government actively reinstituting the liberties it took from hundred-thousands of Tamil ethnic minorities by subjecting them to the derisory conditions of the refugee camps.  IDP’s continually voiced complaints about unlivable environments and a scarcity of food, clothes, and shelter.  Furthermore, the monsoon season of the summer months made the transportation of aid and other amenities quite difficult.  

Following the recent release of IDP’s, the Sri Lankan government aspires to close the refugee camps completely by the beginning of 2010.  

For more information, please see:

Al-Jazeera – Sri Lanka opens Tamil Camps – 1 December 2009

BBC News – Sri Lanka war refugees leaving military camps – 1 December 2009

The Globe and Mail – Tamil refugees free to leave Sri Lankan Camps – 1 December 2009