Bhopal 18 years on

It’s nearly 18 years since 8,000 people died in the Indian city of Bhopal after a leak from the Union Carbide pesticide plant. But while a recent court ruling means ex-chairman Warren Anderson may at last face justice, victums of the disaster continue to struggle for a fair settlement from Carbide’s new owners Dow; a company with an unsavoury reputation of its own.

On the morning of December 3rd 1984 the people of Bhopal suffered an almost biblical disaster. A leak of more than 40 tonnes of methyl isocyanate (MIC) from the Union Carbide chemical plant instantly killed over 2,000 people. Many more died in the ensuing months, with the total number of deaths estimated at 20,000. In total over half a million people were affected by the gas - paying the price for the low wages and poor health and safety regulations that originally attracted Carbide to the city. Though Union Carbide admitted responsibility, the Indian Government dropped criminal charges against the company and settled for $470 million compensation, one sixth of the $3 billion that had been sought. Many of those affected by the disaster still rely on government handouts amounting to just $12 a month and are still living with chronic pain and other symptoms.
Good news came in August of this year when a court in Bhopal upheld a charge of culpable homicide against former head of Union Carbide, Warren Anderson. The charge related to the deaths of 14,000 people and carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. Recently, attempts have been made by the Indian foreign ministry to reduce the charge to ‘hurt by negligence’ - which carries a two year sentence - but local magistrates refused to do so. Mr Anderson, now 80, has been keeping a very low profile in recent years, so much so that that the US government claimed he was missing. This didn’t stop him being tracked down by a Greenpeace US campaigner two days after the recent court ruling upheld charges against him. When confronted by a copy of the warrant for his arrest Mr Anderson ran back into his house denying his identity. However, an end to the struggle isn’t necessarily in sight. For Anderson to face trial the Indian government must initiate extradition proceedings, which they appear unwilling to do for fear of harming relations with the US.
Abandoned by their own government, people have taken matters into their own hands - forming a group called the National Campaign for Justice in Bhopal. The group are targetting the Indian government to begin extradition proceedings on Mr Anderson but are increasingly turning their attention to Dow Chemicals who took over Union Carbide in 2001. The company, one of the largest producers of chemicals in the world, it has an appalling pollution record. Recently however, Dow has moved on to more sophisticated forms of pollution through its work in biotechnology. In 2001 the company acquired Cargill Hybrid Seeds and now has two genetically modified products on the market. Worryingly they intend to take the technology further and are experimenting with varieties of corn which produce plastics or medical products. Campaigners have highlighted the dangers of these varieties cross pollinating with food crops which could lead to hazardous materials entering the food chain.

More information on Dow and the activities of the Bhopal Justice Campaign can be found at www.bhopal.net For information on the UK campaign contact: ukjusticeinbhopal@virgin.net.

Dow Chemical Company locations in the UK.