International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal

Press Statement - August 18, 2010

Sixty four Members of Parliament from 20 political parties including, BJP, Congress, CPM, CPI, LJP, RSP, BSP and others have endorsed a letter urging the Prime Minister to set up a mechanisms to resolve all pending issues of long term rehabilitation and prosecuting the guilty corporations and individuals including Warren Anderson in Bhopal before December 2010. This was announced at a press conference at Jantar Mantar today by representatives of five Bhopal based survivors’ organizations at the conclusion of there 23- days long dharna.

According to the organizations, hundreds of survivors of the Union Carbide disaster in Bhopal sitting on the pavement are still denied permission to set up a tent to protect themselves from the scorching sun and occasional rain. They are hopeful that the Delhi High Court that has already asked Delhi Police to justify denial of permission to camp at Jantar Mantar will soon pass a favourable order on their petition seeking protection of their constitutional right to peaceful protest.

Obama Administration Official Supports Corporate Interests Over Victims of World's Worst Industrial Disaster

Deputy National Security Advisor Froman reveals administration’s double standards on corporate accountability for victims of Bhopal Gas Disaster

INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR JUSTICE IN BHOPAL

PRESS STATEMENT: August 18, 2010

CONTACTS: Shana Ortman, 415-746-0306, shana@panna.org, ICJB U.S. Coordinator
Claire Rosenfeld, 408-348-2554, clairerosenfeld12@gmail.com, ICJB U.S. Campaigner

At a time when the world is focused on corporate accountability in the wake of the BP's Gulf Oil Spill, a leaked email from the Obama administration shows that it values profit over people, when the profit benefits American corporations. The victims of the world’s worst industrial disaster were disappointed to see today that the White House is not pursuing the same levels of accountability from American Dow Chemical as it has from BP.  When Dow purchased Union Carbide in 2001, the corporation acquired outstanding liability for the ongoing disaster in Bhopal, which has led to the deaths of an estimated 25,000 people in Bhopal, India following the 1984 Gas Disaster.

Today, Mumbai-based Times Now published an email chain between White House Deputy National Security Advisor Michael Froman, and Indian Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia. In response to an Ahluwalia’s email requesting assistance as India faces a sharp restriction in the World Bank’s lending, Froman replied:

“We are aware of this issue and we will look into it. We are hearing a lot of noise about the Dow Chemical issue. I trust that you are monitoring it carefully. I am not familiar with all the details, but I think we want to avoid developments which put a chilling effect on our investment relationship.”

PRESS CONFERENCE

What: Bhopalis to conclude dharna; 62 MPs from 19 Political Parties Write to PM

Significant progress on major demands

When: 18 August, 2010. 3 p.m.

Where: Jantar Mantar dharna sthal

Background:

More than 60 MPs spanning 19 political parties have endorsed a letter to the PM urging him to resolve all pending rehabilitation issues related to Bhopal by the 26th Anniversary in December 2010. With this assurance, and in light of the steps taken by the Governments of India and Madhya Pradesh to address some of the key demands of the Bhopal dharna, the five organisers of the July-August, 2010, dharna will end their protest and return to Bhopal tomorrow. A presentation on the status of various demands, and a copy of the Letter from MPs to the PM will be made.

For more information, contact: Rachna Dhingra: 09826167369 or Shalini: 9958924989