locale_link:
http://www.amnesty.org.hk/chi/bhopal/pressrelease
At midnight on 3rd December, 1984, thousands of tons of toxic chemicals leaked from a Union Carbide pesticide plant and took thousands of lives in Bhopal. Over 15,000 more died from the leak-related diseases over the next 20 years. Unfortunately, the aftermath of the Bhopal gas tragedy still persists today.
25 years after the catastrophic disaster, the Indian government has not taken adequate actions to address its calamitous legacy. The work of decontamination has not been carried out properly in the gas-affected area. Since the deadly chemicals continue to pollute their ground water over a quarter of a century, the people of Bhopal still struggle with basic necessities such as clean water. More than 100,000 people continue to suffer from gas-related health problems without proper rehabilitation. And many of those affected have never been able to obtain the long-awaited compensation.
Moreover, not only has it been an immense tragedy, but it’s also been a case of 25 years of injustice.
To this day, the rights of the people of Bhopal have not yet been claimed. No one has been held accountable for the 1984 leak because both the Indian and US governments have not facilitated the necessary provisions needed for the perpetrators. The whole truth and the disastrous impacts of the leak are still kept behind the veil because the case has not been properly investigated.
Amnesty International call on Dow Chemicals, the company which now owns Union Carbide, to take action and address the legacy of Bhopal. We urge Dow Chemicals to:
· proactively engage with the Indian government to carry out the site-decontaminating task, and to
· co-operate in the legal proceedings so that the proper restitution could be made to the victims of the 1984 leak.
On 2nd December, 2009, we will join the people of Bhopal in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Bhopal gas tragedy to highlight the human rights impacts of the tragedy that continue to affect these victims and their next generation. A candle vigil will be held on the night of 2nd December, 2009 at the open area outside TST MTR station Exit A1 (near Kowloon Mosque & Islamic Centre)in the hope of bringing the mortifying Bhopal gas tragedy and injustice in the light.
Created:01/12/2009