Source: Amnesty International



16 April 2010 - The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) cannot run from its responsibility for the ongoing impacts of the 1984 Bhopal gas leak by sponsoring Live Earth "Run for Water" events, Amnesty International said on Friday.



Thousands of people died and more than 100,000 continue to suffer from serious health problems as a consequence of 1984's deadly leak of toxic chemicals from a Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal, India. Dow became 100 per cent owner of the Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) in 2001.



Since then survivors and human rights groups have been campaigning for Dow to address the ongoing impacts of the disaster, including contamination of water by chemical waste, but the company has consistently ignored these calls, denying any responsibility for UCC's liabilities in Bhopal.



On 18 April Dow is sponsoring a series of running events across the globe, organized by environmental organization Live Earth to raise awareness about water scarcity.



"Sponsoring an event that highlights water scarcity while ignoring ongoing problems with access to clean water and medical care, amongst other issues, in Bhopal is at best hypocrisy, at worst, a flagrant attempt by Dow to try to white-wash its image," said Audrey Gaughran, Director of Global Issues at Amnesty International.



"Dow may be trying to run away from the legacy of Bhopal, but it can’t be allowed to hide behind sponsorship of 'Run for Water' events."



For more than 25 years both the government of India and the companies involved have failed to address the human rights abuses that have been the lasting legacy of the Bhopal gas leak.



"Bhopal raises fundamental questions about the accountability of corporations and the capacity and willingness of governments to address corporate-related human rights abuses," said Audrey Gaughran.



"For years the government of India, UCC and Dow have played 'pass the parcel' over the issue of responsibility, while the people of Bhopal have struggled to obtain even basic relief such as clean water."



Amnesty International has called on Live Earth to reconsider the sponsorship unless Dow publicly commits to the forthcoming government clean up process in Bhopal. Dow has not done this.



Amnesty International shares Live Earth's concerns about the impact of climate change and the urgent need to take action to protect human rights, including the right to water. But the organization fears that Dow’s sponsorship poses a serious risk to the credibility of the Live Earth "Run for Water" events.



"Companies must understand that they cannot escape responsibility for human rights abuses in one area by engaging in positive action elsewhere. Human rights abuses cannot be 'offset' by corporate good works," said Audrey Gaughran.  



"The only way for Dow and UCC to finally put the legacy of Bhopal to rest is to work with the affected communities and government of India to fully, and effectively, address the human rights impact of the disaster."



Shortly before midnight on 2 December 1984, thousands of pounds of deadly chemicals leaked from Union Carbide’s pesticide plant in Bhopal, central India.



Around half a million people were exposed. Between 7,000 and 10,000 people died in the immediate aftermath and a further 15,000 over the next 20 years.



More than 25 years later, the site has not been cleaned up, the leak and its impact have not been properly investigated, more than 100,000 people continue to suffer from health problems without the medical care they need, and survivors are still awaiting fair compensation and full redress for their suffering.



Leaking waste material has polluted groundwater on which thousands of people depend for drinking water and other domestic uses.



For the complete article, please see Amnesty International.