Greenpeace protests scrapping of 'Clemenceau' in India
by WebIndia123.com
12 December 2005 (New Delhi) – Greenpeace today urged France to abandon its plan to send its decommissioned aircraft carrier 'Clemenceau' for scrapping as its activists from India and Europe climbed on its hull to paint the slogan 'Asbestos Carrier, Stay Out of India'.
The protests at French naval base in Toulon coincided with the release of Greenpeace's new report on the inhumane conditions in the shipbreaking industry in Alang in Gujarat and Chittagong in Bangladesh.
According to the report, 'End of Life Ships', released simultaneously in India and Geneva today, 110 workers have so far died during accidents in the shipbreaking yards of Alang and Chittagong.
Greenpeace India accused the Indian government of violating laws on entry of hazardous waste material into the country as well as the Basel Convention of which India is a signatory.
''The Indian government is making our borders completely porous by not adhering to the Basel Convention,'' Madhumita Dutta of Greenpeace India told a news conference here.
According to the Greenpeace, until yesterday there were indications that 'Clemenceau' was heading for India for shipbreaking. ''The ship has been bought by an Indian shipbreaker,'' said Ms Dutta.
The 48-year-old ship was not allowed entry by Greece and Turkey, the earlier destinations for scrapping. The French government says the ship has been decontaminated for toxic waste by 30 per cent, a claim which is disputed by the Greenpeace, which says it is done only by less than 10 per cent.
''Dumping 'Clemenceau' on India or any other Asian shipbreaking yard not equipped to deal with this toxic behemoth would result in yet another casualty of war, this time the victims would be unprotected, vulnerable and poor workers,'' said Ramapati Kumar of Greenpeace India from Toulon.
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