Amnesty International on Monday said that 28 years after the Bhopal gas tragedy tens of thousands of victims of ``the world’s worst industrial disaster’’ were still awaiting justice.
In a statement, it said that not only had the victims not been adequately compensated, there had ``yet to be a thorough investigation into the health effects of the disaster on people’s lives’’.
“The industrial skeleton of the former Union Carbide factory still lies abandoned in the centre of Bhopal, with more than 350 tonnes of toxic waste untreated inside. Some 40,000 people are living next to the factory, and have been exposed to the toxic waste for years,” it said urging the Indian Government and Dow Chemical to clean up the site immediately.
Nearly 150,000 people were battling chronic illnesses of the lungs or liver. Women had suffered disproportionately with many complaining of gynaecological and reproductive health disorders.
“28 years is too long to wait for justice. The Indian government and Dow must finally compensate the victims properly, and the Indian authorities must also hold those responsible for this disaster to account,” said Madhu Malhotra, Director of Amnesty International’s Gender programme.
