Bhopal disaster campaigners call for action

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At a meeting in London in May 2004 campaigners from Bhopal called for support for the global day of action against corporate crime on the 20th anniversary of the disaster on 3 December 2004. They also called for financial support for the clinic set up by the victims in Bhopal to help those still affected and for support for a new trust fund they are planning to launch to help children born disabled as a result of the disaster and for "ordinary people fighting extraordinary battles."

Bhopal survivors, trade union activists and Bhopal slum residents, Rashida Bee and Champa Devi Shukla along with Satinath Sarangi of the Sambhavna Trust & Clinic in Bhopal, told the horrific story of the preventable disaster and their global campaign for justice. Over 20,000 men, women and children have died as a result of the chemical disaster at the US multinational Union Carbide's plant. Over half a million people's health has been affected.

The campaigners want company representatives to face culpable homicide charges in Bhopal's courts but they have been absconding for 12 years and the US government will not force them to attend. They are also campaigning for full compensation for the victims and for the US owners, Dow Chemicals, to clean up the massive environmental pollution problems.

Rashida and Champa both receive care at the Sambhavna Clinic along with many thousands more. The clinic needs constant financial support (see appeal details below). The two campaigners were awarded the Goldman Award for environmental activists with a "no strings attached" prize of $125,000 - the largest and most highly regarded award in the world for grassroots environmentalists.

Champa and Rashida have decided to donate the entire sum of the award money to a trust that will provide medical assistance to Bhopal children born with deformities, run income generating projects for women survivors and institute an award for ordinary people fighting extraordinary battles against corporate crime in India.

Bhopal campaign websites:

• www.bhopal.org for information about the clinic and financial appeal.
• www.bhopal.net for campaign information.

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