Focus on Arts and Ecology

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Seventeen years. Six dismissals. One judge.

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On December 3, 1984, a cloud of poisonous gas overtook Bhopal, India, killing more than 4,000 people. An additional 10,000 have people died since from injuries sustained that night. Today, lingering pollution continues to contaminate the groundwater for thousands of Bhopal residents. 

The U.S. company that operated the pesticide plant at the time of the toxic leak has yet to be held accountable for the ongoing pollution. Union Carbide is responsible for that day’s fatal gas disaster. They are also responsible for abandoning their plant and refusing to clean up their mess. We joined the Bhopalis in their fight for justice 17 years ago, repeatedly filing suit against Union Carbide in the United States for its role in the ongoing pollution. Each time we were rebuffed, we brushed ourselves off, stood beside the plaintiffs, and kept fighting. Each time we re-filed, the very same district court judge dismissed our claims. After 17 years, Bhopalis are still waiting for justice. 

For over 30 years, residents of Bhopal have lived with toxic waste that pollutes their water and land.
Union Carbide abandoned its pesticide factory shortly after the gas leak killed thousands. 

In June of 2016, a United States court of appeals ruled that Union Carbide could not be sued for causing the pollution, affirming the dismissal of Sahu v. Union Carbide for the sixth time. 

Seventeen years. Six dismissals. One judge.

The prioritization of a corporation’s bottom line over living breathing humans is absolutely unacceptable. We cannot be silent, and we cannot fool ourselves into thinking that we are immune to the consequences. We are witnessing all-too-familiar patterns play out in the U.S. at Standing Rock, and the results of this month’s national elections do not bode well for the protection of people and the environment over corporate interests.

Due to a poorly designed waste water management system, toxins continue to contaminate the local water supply in Bhopal.

Corporations cannot continue to get a pass from courts for human rights and environmental abuses. At ERI, we have never been afraid to seek justice in the courts, no matter how unfriendly they are to our cause. That boldness was the hallmark of our beginnings as an organization 20 years ago, and it will continue to define us as we take on new legal challenges in the coming months and years. As a rule, we only proceed with legal action that is based on sound law, sets good precedent, and has a high potential for success. Despite the strength of our legal arguments, changing the law is always an uphill battle. But for the people of Bhopal, giving up is not an option – and we will not give up on them. We will persevere in our pursuit of new avenues for redress, having faith that justice delayed will prevail over justice denied.

Community members continue to experience health issues due to ongoing contamination.
Even after 30 years, Bhopal residents continue to fight for justice - and we're fighting with them.

Now more than ever, we need you to join the fight. Please renew your support to EarthRights International and fight against the current trends in our courts—and indeed around the world-- that favor corporations over people.   

In solidarity and with thanks,


Marco Simons,
General Counsel

Photos © Jack Laurenson, 2012.

EARTHRIGHTS INTERNATIONAL
The power of law and the power of people
in defense of human rights and the environment.

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