Take up Bhopal, Kashmir during talks, Obama told

Amnesty International has asked US President Barack Obama to support the survivors of the Bhopal gas disaster who are demanding accountability, justice and an end to 25 years of human rights violations.

"It is essential that your administration and Government of India cooperate to ensure that those accused of causing Bhopal disaster, including UCC, are made to face trial and that Bhopal survivors are able to obtain redress," Larry Cox, executive director of Amnesty International USA said in a letter to the President.

"On June 7, seven Indian former-executives of UCC and the Indian subsidiary of UCC, Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) were convicted of criminal offences for their role in the disaster. However, the US-based UCC and its former Chairman Warren Anderson have refused to face trial for the charges that were also brought against them in 1987," he said.

Cox said that both UCC and Warren Anderson have been identified as absconders in June 7 judgement.

Though US-based Dow Chemical Company (Dow) have been owning UCC since 2001 but it has ignored calls by survivors and human rights groups to address the ongoing impacts of the disaster, including contamination of water by chemical waste, he said.

The company has consistently denied any responsibility for the liabilities of UCC in Bhopal, but in stark contrast, accepted asbestos-related liabilities of UCC in the US that were incurred as early as 1972.

"Amnesty International works in partnership with several organizations to help support the survivors of the Bhopal disaster to demand justice, accountability and an end to 25 years of human rights violations.

"The organization understands that the survivors and five activist organizations representing them have recently written to you about the need to bring UCC/Dow to justice. Amnesty International shares their concerns and urges you to discuss these issues with the Government of India," Cox said.

Alleging that there had been human rights violation in Kashmir, he said: "AI urges you to raise this issue during your talks with the Government of India to ensure that those responsible for the excessive use of force in dealing with protestors be brought to justice."

More than 100 people were killed from June-September 2010, when violent protests broke out after the killings of three young men, reportedly by the security forces in March of this year while dealing with the protestors, he said.

"An inquiry ordered by the state authorities covers only 17 deaths, and AI has repeatedly urged them to initiate an independent, impartial and thorough investigation as per international human rights standards into all the killings," the letter said.