Greenpeace activists board the carrier ship Clemenceau 50 nautical miles off the coast of Egypt, hanging a banner that reads “Asbestos carrier stay out of India.” Greenpeace is protesting against transit of the Clemenceau, which has been sent to India for decommissioning despite widespread outrage at the high levels of asbestos and other hazardous materials it contains.
The activists came down following a confirmation from the Suez
Canal Authority that they will not allow the toxic laden Clemenceau
to pass through the canal under the Basel Framework. They have
given instructions to cancel all previous authorisations to the
Clemenceau convoy.
"It is evident that the Clemenceau is a pariah and will
continue to be kept out from progressive nations until it is
decontaminated," said Harald Zindler Greenpeace activist on the
vessel that is keeping a close watch on the movements of the
Clemenceau.
"The French Government must note that the amount of asbestos and
other toxic material, which they say is "negligible" is more than
enough to kill several thousand people," says Ramapati Kumar,
Toxics Campaigner, Greenpeace India. He pointed out that according
to the International Agency for Cancer Research of the WHO a single
fiber exposure is more than enough to have asbestosis and
mesothelioma.
It is a national shame that despite being aware that the lives
of thousands of workers in Alang is at stake, the Ministry of
Environment and Forests (MoEF) has shown complete and absolute
apathy to the situation and continues to keep mum. Greenpeace
reiterates its demand that the MoEF break their silence and use
this opportunity given by the Egyptian authorities to turn the
Clemenceau back.
Update 17 Jan: The
Indian Supreme Court has ruled that the Clemenceau be kept at a
distance of 220 nautical miles from India's Exclusive Economic Zone
until 13th February, by which time all information pertaining to
the Clemenceau must be submitted before the court.
Update 16
Jan: Our activists left the ship on Friday with Egypt
still blocking passage through the canal. But over the weekend
France negotiated passage through the canal. Now the Indian Supreme
Court will take the next decision on the ship.
Update
12 Jan: While Greenpeace continues to occupy the ship,
the government of Egypt has requested all
certificates required within the framework of the
Basel convention to approve the Clemenceau passing through Egyptian
waters and the Suez canal. The same request is made to the Indian
government. If Egypt does not receive all required documents, they
will have to consider the sailing convoy illegal, subject to
punishment under Egyptian law, and it will be ordered back
to a French port.
For further information, contact
Martin Besieux in Egypt, Greenpeace International Toxics campaigner + 32 49 616 1585
Ramapati Kumar, Greenpeace India Toxics Campaigner, +91 98 455 35 414
Vivek Sharma, Greenpeace India Communications, +91 934 378 8424