Egypt takes the right stand; India’s turn to be counted now.

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.