Press Statement:
Beyond Bhopal: factory remediation must meet best international standards,
“Before any significant remediation work can begin, an independent assessment of the depth and spread of contaminants around the Union Carbide factory site in Bhopal is absolutely critical”, according to William Nicholls from Hong Kong based human rights group, ‘Beyond Bhopal’.
The group, which is supported by legislators from the European Union and Bhopal survivor advocates, has successfully facilitated direct assistance from the EU to ensure that Bhopal is remediated to the best available international standards.
“The European Union is as concerned as the government of India about the ongoing legacy of Union Carbide”, said Barbara Lochbihler, Member of European Parliament's delegation for the relations with India, today. “Following consultation with survivor groups in November 2009, the EU wishes to offer technical and financial support to independently, comprehensively and verifiably assess the extent of contamination of the former Union Carbide site in Bhopal.”
The assessment would test and assess the contaminated areas according to European legislation using the accepted risk-based approach, and drawing upon European standards for human health and the environment.
The Beyond Bhopal group have spent the last two years engaging with a wide variety of organisations, advocates and governmental representatives in India and the EU. "Without an official invitation from the government of India, the EU's offer cannot proceed", Mr Nicholls said. "And so we request the Group of Ministers on Bhopal to give urgent and proper consideration to this genuine offer of pro bono support. If accepted, an independent site assessment would be a vitally important step towards preventing the ongoing cycle of poisoning in Bhopal.”
The site assessment, which is estimated to cost approximately one million Euros (5.7 crore Indian Rupees), will be funded by the Indo-German Environment Programme.
Beyond Bhopal The Inquiry - Executive Summary