January 2012
About Civil Society Organizations Joint Statement
Japanese Government Needs to Incorporate
the Lessons Learned from Minamata into the Mercury Treaty

Joint Statement English(PDF)Japanese(PDF)
Last updated on January 26, 2012
Signatories / Annex
By Takeshi Yasuma, Citizens Against Chemicals Pollution (CACP)
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/kagaku/pico/
Link to this page:
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/kagaku/pico/mercury/CSO/Lessons_Learned_from_Minamata_en.html


CONTENTS
Introduction

We were very disappointed by the results of the discussion on the Article 14 Contaminated Sites during INC 3 because it was watered down to very weak and voluntarily based, and it did not include the core elements of the Lessons Learned from Minamata, which are summarized as follows.
  • Polluter's responsibility for contaminated sites and bearing costs for restoration or rehabilitation;
  • Polluter's responsibility for victims, which includes but is not limited to compensation for them;
  • Government's and polluter's responsibility for a thorough and transparent investigation of every aspect of damage caused by mercury contamination; and
  • Full disclosure of information on the causes and the facts related to the mercury contamination.
If these "Lessons Learned" are not included in the mercury treaty, then people who suffered from mercury contamination will not be able to require under the mercury treaty, the restoration or rehabilitation of contaminated site; compensation of victims; thorough investigation of contaminated sites and victims; and full disclosure of information.

In order to prevent tragedies of Minamata from happening again anywhere in the world, and unfortunately even if it happens at the worst, in order to make governments and polluters take responsibility for the contamination, it is very important to include the Lessons Learned from Minamata in the mercury treaty.

It is the responsibility of the Japanese government who has experienced the Minamata tragedy to reflect and enshrine the Lessons Learned from Minamata into the proposed global Mercury Treaty. We civil society groups and individuals understand that Japanese government is required to make utmost efforts to achieve this.

Thus in early January this year, we released the Civil Society Organizations Joint Statement-Japanese Government Needs to Incorporate the Lessons Learned from Minamata into the Mercury Treaty to be submitted to Japanese government and asked civil society organizations (CSOs) and citizens all over the world to support the statement. As a result, we got 146 signatories from Japanese CSOs/citizens and 340 signatories from Overseas CSOs/citizens as of January 22, 2012. We submitted the statement with the list of signatoriess to Japanese government on January 23, 2012.


It is really important that Lessons learned from Minamata to be included as well as binding agreements. Voluntarily based agreements have been in effect for a half century without desired effect.
Lars Hylander PhD (Uppsala Universitet, Sweden)



The Honorable Koichiro Genba, Minister for Foreign Affairs
The Honorable Yukio Edano, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
The Honorable Goshi Hosono, Minister of the Environment


January 23, 2012

Civil Society Organizations Joint Statement
Japanese Government Needs to Incorporate the Lessons Learned
from Minamata into the Mercury Treaty


We are civil society organizations and citizens concerned about the growing world-wide mercury pollution.

We believe that in order to ensure that such a tragedy as Minamata never happens again anywhere in the world, it is most important to incorporate the Lessons Learned from Minamata into the Mercury Treaty now under negotiation by representatives of governments under UNEP to be adopted in 2013. However, in the existing draft of the treaty, Article 14 on Contaminated Sites does not include the Lessons Learned from Minamata. The article was proposed at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to prepare a global legally binding instrument on mercury third session (INC 3) held Nairobi, last 31 October to 4 November.

The Lessons Learned from Minamata during more than 50 years of its history have been varied and instrumental. Several such lessons include placing the 1,510,000 m3 of mercury contaminated sludge dredged from the Minamata Bay at the landfill site adjacent to the Minamata Bay without any mercury removal; many Minamata victims are not yet recognized and compensated as Minamata Disease sufferers, with many victims already dead without recognition and compensation; the full picture of Minamata tragedy is not known for lack of a thorough and transparent investigation; information on the cause and the facts of the Minamata Disease Incident was hidden or not properly published.

Based on Rio Principle 10: Access to information; Rio Principle 13: Compensation for Victims of Pollution and other Environmental Damage; and Rio Principle 16: The Polluter Pays Principle Provisions, the Lessons Learned from Minamata can be summarized as follows.

  1. Polluter's responsibility for contaminated sites and bearing costs for restoration or rehabilitation;
  2. Polluter's responsibility for all victims, which includes but is not limited to compensation for them;
  3. Government's and polluter's responsibility for a thorough and transparent investigation of every aspect of damage caused by mercury contamination; and
  4. Full disclosure of information on the causes and the facts related to the mercury contamination.
The United Nations Environment Programme decided to hold the diplomatic conference to adopt and sign the Mercury Treaty in Japan in late 2013 as proposed by Japanese government. It is also understood that by hosting the diplomatic conference the Japanese government wishes to name the treaty Minamata Convention. But if the treaty is named Minamata Convention without the Lessons Learned from Minamata enshrined in the document, it will be a continuing affront to the dignity of victims and undermine the authority of the treaty to ensure that the Minamata tragedy does not happen again in our lifetime.

It is the responsibility of the Japanese government who has experienced the Minamata tragedy to reflect and enshrine the Lessons Learned from Minamata into the proposed global Mercury Treaty. We the undersigned civil society groups and individuals understand that Japanese government is required to make utmost efforts to achieve this.

END

Citizens Against Chemicals Pollution (CACP)
Minamata Disease Victims Mutual Aid Society
Green Action

Contact:
Takeshi Yasuma: ac7t-ysm@asahi-net.or.jp
Citizens Against Chemicals Pollution (CACP), Japan


Signatories from Japanese organizations/individuals: 150 last updated on Jan 26, 2012
Signatories from Japanese organizations/individuals: 146 as of Jan 22, 2012
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/kagaku/pico/mercury/CSO/Lessons_Learned_from_Minamata.html

Signatories from overseas organizations/individuals: 353 last updated on Jan 25, 2012
Signatories from overseas organizations/individuals: 340 as of Jan 22, 2012
  1. Asociacion Argentina de Medicos por el Medio Ambiente (AAMMA), Argentina
  2. International Society of Doctors for the Environment (ISDE), Argentina
  3. Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment (AWHHE), Armenia
  4. Jo Immig, National Coordinator, NATIONAL TOXICS NETWORK, Australia
  5. Prof. Islam Mustafayev, Ecological Society "Ruzgar", Azerbaijan
  6. Shahriar Hossain, Ph.D., Ecologist, Journalist & Social Justice Advocate, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  7. Center for environmental solutions (CES) (Eugeniy Lobanov, Program Director/Toxics Campaigner), Belarus
  8. European Environmental Bureau (aisbl) (EEB), Belgium
  9. Genon K. Jensen, Executive Director, Health and Environment Alliance, Brussels, Belgium
  10. AMAR, Environmental Defense Association, Brazil
  11. APROMAC, Enviromental Protection Association, Brazil
  12. Cecilia Zavariz, Medical Auditor's Fiscal Work of the Ministry of Labor, Brazil
  13. Zuleica Nycz, Toxisphera Environmental Health Association, Brazil
  14. Environmental Association Za Zemiata, Sofia, Bulgaria
  15. Gilbert Kuepouo, Ph.D., Coordinator, CREPD- Research and Education Center for Development, Cameroon
  16. Anna Tilman, Vice-President, International Institute of Concern for Public Health (IICPH), Canada
  17. Central Asia Toxic Action network (prof Igor Hadjamberdiev, prof Rustam Tukhvatshin, prof ass Alimjan Koshmuratov)
  18. Chen Hao, Global Village of Beijing, China
  19. Da Mao, PhD, Environmental Historian, School of Environmental Health, Nature University, Green Beagle, China
  20. Green Beagle, China
  21. Green Camel Bell, China
  22. Hou Fei, Global Village of Beijing, China
  23. Jiang Chao, Program Manager, Global Village of Beijing, China
  24. Lang Dezhong, Green Longjiang, China
  25. Liao Xiaoyi, Global Village of Beijing, China
  26. Shen Wei, Global Village of Beijing, China
  27. Tianjie Ma, Greenpeace East Asia, China
  28. Tong Meng Volunteer,Global Village of Beijing, China
  29. Wan Jing, Global Village of Beijing, China
  30. Wang Huali, Executive Director, Dongguan Green Zhujiang Environmental Promotion Center, China
  31. Wang Xinchao, Global Village of Beijing, China
  32. Wang Ying, Campaigner, Green Peace, China
  33. WECF - Women in Europe for a Common Future, Germany, France and The Netherlands
  34. Wen Hengfeng, Global Village of Beijing, China
  35. Yu Xiaoyong, Friends of Green China TianJin, China
  36. Yun Jianli, President, Green Hanjiang- Environment Protection Association of Xiangfan City, China
  37. Zhang Hong, Program Advisor, Global Village of Beijing, China
  38. Zhang Zhongmin, Director, Hebei Green Friend Association, China
  39. Arnika - Toxics and Waste Programe, Czech Republic
  40. Jari Huhtala, chemist, Finnish Association for Nature Conservation (Suomen luonnonsuojeluliitto), Finlamd
  41. Anne Barre, President, Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF) France, France
  42. Association Toxicologie Chimie (ATC), president Andre Picot, France
  43. Centre National d'Information Independante sur les Dechets (CNIID) - executive director Sebastien Lapeyre, France
  44. Generations Futures (GF) - president Maria Pelletier, France
  45. Non Au Mercure Dentaire (NAMD) - spokeperson Marie Grosman, France
  46. Reseau Environnement Sante (RES) - president Andre Cicolella, France
  47. Dr.Manana Juruli, PhD, Assoc. Prof. in Environmental Medicine, Co-Chair of Georgian Environmental and Biological Monitoring Association (GEBMA), Main Specialist of the N.Makhviladze Institute of Labour Medicine and Ecology, Georgia
  48. Manana Devidze, Director, Foundation Caucasus Environment, Tbilisi, Georgia
  49. BUND (Friends of the Earth Germany), Germany
  50. German League for Nature and Environment (Deutscher Naturschutzring (DNR)), Germany
  51. Sonja Haider, Germany
  52. Association of Environmental Health, Budapest, Hungary
  53. Amarjyoti Kashyap, President, ENVIRON, India
  54. Development Initiative for Self Reliance & Human advancement(DISHA), India
  55. Gopal Krishna, Convener, ToxicsWatch Alliance (TWA), New Delhi, India
  56. Krishna Mayur, renewable energy expert, Hyderabad, India
  57. Satish Sinha, Associate Director, Toxics Link, Environmental NGO, New Delhi, India
  58. Tushar Pancholi, Paryvaraniya Vikas Kendra, Rajkot, Gujarat, India
  59. Andika Putra, Universitas Indonesia Geography student, Indonesia
  60. Adhitya Nur Rachman, HMTL ITB, Indonesia
  61. Andita Primanti, BALIFOKUS Toxics Program Officer, Indonesia
  62. Armyn Gita, BALIFOKUS Toxics Program Officer, Indonesia
  63. Audi Nisa Fadhila, ITB Environmental Engineering student, Indonesia
  64. Bayu Susila, BALIFOKUS, Indonesia
  65. Budi Santoso, Principal Consultant SRK Consulting Indonesia, Indonesia
  66. Denna Medhina Andhini, Environmental Engineering, Institute Bandung of Technology, Indonesia
  67. Dian Hadiani, consultant, Indonesia
  68. Dwi Heru Siswantoro, Gajah Mada University Mechanical Engineering student, Indonesia
  69. Dyah Paramita, Indonesian Center for Environmental Law, Indonesia
  70. Eka Arifin, freelance writer and blogger, Indonesia
  71. Farah Sofa, LEAD Fellow Cohort-14, Indonesia
  72. Hasrul Kokoh, professional photographer, Indonesia
  73. Hesty Afrida, Universitas Indonesia Inorganic Chemistry student, Indonesia
  74. Imania Eka Diyanti, Environmental Engineering Students Association, Bandung Institute of Technology, Indonesia
  75. Mayang Putri Alam, IUP FE UGM student, Indonesia
  76. Melliza pretty putri utami, Himpunan mahasiswa teknik lingkungan- institut teknologi bandung (Environmental engineering student association - bandung institute of technology), Indonesia
  77. Nenci Hutapea, Universitas Indonesia Inorganic Chemistry student, Indonesia
  78. Paola Cannucciari, EcoBali, Indonesia
  79. Prigi Arisandi, ECOTON, Indonesia
  80. Prof. Rachmadhi Purwana, Public Health Faculty Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia
  81. Puteri Siti Salmiati, Environmental Engineering, Bandung Institute of Technology Student Union, Indonesia
  82. Putu Ririen, BALIFOKUS Toxics Program Officer, Indonesia
  83. Riana Widyastuti, Universitas Indonesia Pharmacy student, Indonesia
  84. Rini Sulaiman, forestry consultant, Indonesia
  85. Rohman Nurdiansyah, Universitas Indonesia Physical Chemistry student, Indonesia
  86. Rondang Siregar, Research Associate, R3CCUI, Indonesia
  87. Rossana Dewi, Gita Pertiwi, Indonesia
  88. Rully Prayoga, 350.org East Asia, Indonesia
  89. Santi Marliana Simanjuntak, Universitas Indonesia Inorganic Chemistry student, Indonesia
  90. Shaviry Octaviani, Universitas Indonesia Inorganic Chemistry student, Indonesia
  91. Siti Maimunah, Mining Advocacy Network (JATAM), Indonesia
  92. Stephen Palmer, Surfer Girl - CSR and Green Practices Advisor, Indonesia
  93. Teddy Brahmancha, GM BALIFOKUS, Indonesia
  94. Tegar Bhakti, Universitas Indonesia Inorganic Chemistry student, Indonesia
  95. Wilianita Selviana, WALHI Central Sulawesi, Indonesia
  96. Yomie Fernando, UI Chemistry student, Indonesia
  97. Yune Eribowo, education consultant, Indonesia
  98. Yuyun Ismawati, Indonesia Toxics-Free Network, Coordinator, Indonesia
  99. Zeski Phagara, Universitas Indonesia Mechanical Engineering student, Indonesia
  100. Italian Society of Doctors for the Environment (ISDE), Italy
  101. Kumiko Homma, PhD researcher, Japan
  102. "Greenwomen" Analytical Environmental Agency, Kazakhstan
  103. Cooperation for Sustainable Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan
  104. Griffins Ochieng, Programmes Coordinator, iLima Organization, Nairobi, Kenya
  105. African Indigenous Women's organization (E and SA), Kenya
  106. Indigenous Information Network, Kenya
  107. Okeyo Benards, Eco Ethics Int., Kenya
  108. Silvia K. Muller, CSN - Chemical Sensitivity Network, Germany
  109. Dr. Jeong-ok Kong, Korea Institute of Labor Safety and Health, Korea
  110. Dr. Eng. Naji KODEIH - Toxicochemist, Policy Advisor and Toxic Campaigner, IndyACT - The League of Independent Activists, Beirut, Lebanon
  111. Action For Breast Cancer Foundation Malta, Malta
  112. Development Indian Ocean Network (DION), Mauritius
  113. Pesticide Action Network - Mauritius, Mauritius
  114. David Foust Rodriguez, Social Sciences Doctorate student, Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico
  115. Fernando Bejarano, Center for Analyses on Toxics and Alternatives (CAATA), Mexico
  116. JA! Justica Ambiental, Mozambique
  117. Ram Charitra Sah, Executive Director, Center for Public Health and Environmental Development (CEPHED), Kathmandu, Nepal
  118. Dr. Trevor King, Palmerton North, New Zealand
  119. Leslie Adogame, Executive Director, Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev), Nigeria
  120. Dr. Mahmood A. Khwaja, Senior Adviser, Chemicals and Sustainable Indistrial Development (SDPI),Islamabad, Pakistan
  121. Philippine Nurses Association (Teresita Barcelo), Philippines
  122. Aaron Pedrosa, Philippines
  123. Action for Nurturing Children and the Environment (ANCE) (Fr. Max Abalos, SVD), Philippines
  124. Alliance of Young Nurse Leaders and Advocacy (Stephanie Claros), Philippines
  125. Arugaan (Velvet Roxas), Philippines
  126. Assalam Bangsamoro People's Association, Philippines
  127. Atty. Amang Mejia, Philippines
  128. Atty. Ronald De Veyra
  129. Bangon Kalikasan Movement (Joey Papa), Philippines
  130. Beverly Bedia, Philippines
  131. Buklod Tao (Noli Abinales), Philippines
  132. Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (Leody De Guzman), Philippines
  133. Caster Palaganas, Philippines
  134. Cavite Green Coalition (Ochie Tolentino), Philippines
  135. Chinkie Pelino, Philippines
  136. Citizens Organization Concerned with Advocating Philippine Environmental Sustainability (Esther Pacheco), Philippines
  137. Connie Sison, Philippines
  138. Conrado Reyes, Philippines
  139. Councilor Numero Uno Lim, Philippines
  140. Diocese of Kalookan (Bishop Deogracias Iniguez), Philippines
  141. Dir. Suzette Lazo, Philippines
  142. Dr. Ana Lorraine Sanchez, Philippines
  143. Dr. Bessie Antonio, Philippines
  144. Dr. Eric Tayag, Philippines
  145. Dr. Helen Mendoza, Philippines
  146. Dr. Jaime G. Tan, Philippines
  147. Dr. Leah Primitiva Samaco-Paquiz, Philippines
  148. Dr. Rudy Albornoz, Philippines
  149. Earth Renewal Project (Roy Alvarez), Philippines
  150. Elsie Retanan, Philippines
  151. Engr. Nelia Garandillos, Philippines
  152. Evangeline Lucero, Philippines
  153. Faye Ferrer, Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia, Philippines
  154. Freedom form Debt Coalition (Aaron Pedrosa), Philippines
  155. Gregorio Relova, Philippines
  156. Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative > Legal Services, Inc (Ed Ligon), Philippines
  157. Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services, Inc. (Atty. Tanya Lat), Philippines
  158. Interface Development Interventions (Lia Jasmin Esquillo), Philippines
  159. Ivan Mayrina, Philippines
  160. Jaime Tristan Flavias, Philippines
  161. Joel Escandor, Philippines
  162. Kinaiyahan Foundation, Inc (Betty Cabazares), Philippines
  163. Kongresong Pagkakaisa ng Maralitang Lunsod (Emelita Ablir), Philippines
  164. Krusada sa Kalikasan (Neneng Joson), Philippines, Philippines
  165. Ligdung Sumbanan Alang sa Kabataan sa Sugbo, Cebu (Victor Sumampong), Philippines
  166. Likhang-Lahi (Atty. Lucille Karen Malilong-Isberto), Philippines
  167. Lingkod Tao-Kalikasan (Sr. Maria Aida Velasquez), Philippines
  168. Ma. Leonora Dizon, Philippines
  169. Makabata Para sa Bayan (Allan Tura), Philippines
  170. Mark Vincent Chua, Philippines
  171. Mindanao Inter-Diocesan Sustainable Agriculture Network (Vic Tagupa), Philippines
  172. Mother Earth Foundation (Sonia Mendoza), Philippines
  173. Nagkakaisang Mananambakan sa Dumpsite Area (Louie Lizano), Philippines
  174. Nars ng Bayan (Eleanor Nolasco), Philippines
  175. November 17 Movement (Romy Hidalgo), Philippines
  176. Odrazen Percival S. Ocampo, Philippine
  177. Partnership for Clean Air (Rene Pineda), Philippines
  178. Peging Su, Philippines
  179. Pesticide Action Network - Philippines (Dr. Romy Quijano), Philippines
  180. Philippine Earth Justice Center (Atty. Gloria Ramos), Philippines
  181. Project Protect, EcoWaste Coalition (Thony Dizon), Philippines
  182. Rex Nidea, Philippines
  183. Rommel Arriola, Philippine
  184. Samahan Pagkakaisa ng mga Tindera sa Talipapa (Kokoy Gan), Philippines
  185. Sang-at-Uli Mountaineering Society (SUMSOC-PNU), Philippines
  186. Sanlakas, Youth (Haide Amigable), Philippines
  187. Save Babies Coalition (Ines Fernandez), Philippine
  188. Sibuyan Island Sentinels League for the Environment, Inc. (Rodne Galicha), Philippines
  189. Teachers Dignity Coalition (Benjo Basas), Philippines
  190. Tina Panganiban-Perez, Philippines
  191. Tom Villarin, Philippines
  192. Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (Rafael Mapalo), Philippines
  193. University of San Carlos, Cebu City (Johanna Bagacay), Philippines
  194. Von Hernandez, Philippines
  195. Xavier University Sustainable Agriculture Center (Vic Tagupa), Philippines
  196. Angelina P. Galang, President, Green Convergence for Safe Food, Healthy Environment and Sustainable Economy, Philippines
  197. Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA)、Quezon City, Philippines
  198. Ma. Teresa M. Oliva, Miriam P.E.A.C.E. (Public Education and Awareness Campaign for the Environment), Philippines
  199. Richard Gutierrez, Director, Ban Toxics!, Quezon Philippines
  200. Sonia S. Mendoza, Chairman, Mother Earth Foundation, Philippines
  201. Sun Valley Association, Romania
  202. Olga Speranskaya, PhD, CoChair, International POPs Elimination Network, Director, Eco-Accord Program on Chemical Safety, Russia
  203. groundWork (Friends of the Earth South Africa), South Africa
  204. South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, Durban, South Africa
  205. Eva Caballe, Economist, Patient with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Barcelona, Spain
  206. Francisca Gutierrez-Clavero, President of ASQUIFYDE (Asociacion Estatal de Afectados por los Sindromes de Sensibilidad Quimica Multiple y Fatiga Cronica, Fibromialgia y para la Defensa de la Salud Ambiental), Spain
  207. Servando Perez-Dominguez, President of MERCURIADOS (dental amalgams mercury victims and other mercury victims), Spain
  208. Lars D. Hylander, PhD, Assoc. Prof. Uppsala Universitet, Uppsala, Sweden
  209. Manny Calonzo and Dr. Olga Speranskaya, IPEN Co-Chairs, IPEN, Sweden
  210. Muazama Burkhanova, PhD, Chair of Public Association "Foundation to support civil initiatives", Tajikistan
  211. Mwadhini O. Myanza, Executive Director; Irrigation Training and Economic Empowerment Organization; IRTECO, Tanzania;
  212. Prof. Jamidu H.Y. Katima PhD, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
  213. Silvani Mng'anya, Principal Programme Officer, AGENDA, Tanzania
  214. Help Without Frontiers Foundation Thailand (Siraporn Kaewsombat, Board Member and Secretary General ), Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand
  215. Oranuch Lerdkulladilok (as an individual), Help Without Frontiers Foundation Thailand, Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand
  216. Alternative Agriculture Network - Northeast (Mahasarakam province) (Ubon U-Wha), Thailand
  217. Alternative Agriculture Network - Lower North & Central Region (Phulphet Seelueng), Chachoengsao, Thailand
  218. Alternative Agriculture Network (AAN) (Areerat Kittisiri), Nonthaburi, Thailand
  219. Alternative Agriculture Network (AAN-North) (Arun Yhai-kam), Chiang Rai, Thailand
  220. Alternative Energy Project for Sustainability (AEPS) (Wacharee Plaong-loeng-thong), Thailand
  221. Assembly of People, For People and For the EARTH (Teerawat Namdaung), Rayong, Thailand
  222. Ban Krud Environment and Nature Conservation Group (Chintana Kaewkhao), Prachub Kirikhan, Thailand
  223. Biothai Foundation, Nonthaburi (Witoon Lienchamloon), Thailand
  224. Blur Borders (Nopawan Sirivejkul), Bangkok, Thailand
  225. Campaign on Public Policy on Mineral Resources (PPM) (Lertsak Kumkongsak), Thailand
  226. Center for Peace and Conflict Studies (Prof. Surichai Wun'gaeo, Director), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
  227. Chanchai CHAISUKKOSOL (as an individual), Lecturer, Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies, Mahidol University, Nakorn Pathom province, Thailand
  228. Chantana Banpasirichote, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
  229. Chantrapa Jindathong (as an individual), Social worker, Umphang Hospital, Tak Province, Thailand
  230. Chumchonthai Foundation (Preeda kongpaen), Bangkok, Thailand
  231. Civil Society Planning Network (Paranee Sawasdirak), Bangkok, Thailand
  232. Copper Mining Campaign Group (Samruey Thong-chan), Amphoe Muang, Loei, Thailand
  233. Council of Work and Environment Related Patient's Network of Thailand (WEPT) (Somboon Srikamdokkae), Nonthaburi, Thailand
  234. Darunee Paisanpanichkul (as an individual), Lawyer, Bangkok, Thailand
  235. Dawan Chantarahesdee, (as an individual) Klongdan, Bangbor, Samutprakarn, Thailand
  236. Development of Older People Group (Weerapong Kanwannawakul), Chiang Rai, Thailand
  237. Dolruedee Kramnaimuang, (as an individual) Palmerston North, New Zealand
  238. Dr. Arpa Wangkiat (as an individual), Rangsit University, Pathumthani, Thailand
  239. Dr. Buntoon Srethasirote, Director, Good Governance for Social Development and the Environment Foundation, Bangkok, Thailand
  240. Dr. Opart Panya (as an individual), Board member of Greenpeace of Southeast Asia, Bangkok, Thailand
  241. Dr. Pitsamai Purisinsit Eamsakulrat, Bangkapi, Bangkok, Thailand
  242. Dr. Voravidh Charoenloet, Faculty of Economics Chiang Mai University, Thailand
  243. Drug Study Group (Wanna Sriwiriya-nupap), Thailand
  244. Eastern People Network (Sutti Atchasai), Rayong Province, Thailand
  245. Ecological and Culture Study Group (Bamben Chaiyarak), Udornthani, Thailand
  246. EnLAW (Surachai Trong-ngam, Director), Thailand
  247. Foundation for Consumers (Saree Aongsomwang), Bangkok, Thailand
  248. Foundation for Women (Usa Lerdsrisanthud, Director), Bangkok, Thailand
  249. FTA Watch (Jacques-chai Chomthongdee), Bangkok, Thailand
  250. Green World Foundation (Keurmaetha Rerkpornpipat, Website Editor), Bangkok, Thailand
  251. Greenpeace Southeast Asia (Ply Pirom), Bangkok, Thailand
  252. Health & Development Foundation, (H&DF) (Sumlee Jaidee), Thailand
  253. Healthy Public Policy Foundation (Suphakit Nuntavorakarn), Thailand
  254. Junya Yimprasert, Action for People's Democracy in Thailand, Thailand
  255. Jutamas Sappradid, (as an individual) Ecological Alert and Recovery - Thailand, Nonthaburi, Thailand
  256. Karen Studies and Development Center (Surapong Kongchantuk), Thailand
  257. Karnt Thassanaphak(as an individual), Nampong district, Konkaen, Thailand
  258. Kulapa Vajanasara (as an individual), Researcher,Institute for Population and Social Research,Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
  259. Local Care Bonok (Korn-u-ma Pongnoi), Prachub Kirikhan, Thailand
  260. Luntharimar Longcharoen (as an individual), Bangkok, Thailand
  261. Mae Sod Zinc Mining Resistance (Yannaphat Prai-mee-saab), Amphoe Mae Sod, Tak, Thailand
  262. Mining Monitoring Network of the Mae Soi River Basin (Phra Yongyuth Thee-pra-go (Bhikkhu)), Amphoe Wang-Chin, Prae, Thailand
  263. Montana Daungprapa, lawyer, Bangkok, Thailand
  264. Nanthaporn Techaprasertsakul (as an individual), Master Degree Student, Jounalism Faculty, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
  265. Narumol Arunothai (as an individual), Social Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
  266. Ngao Coal Mine Resistance Group (Waew-warin Buan-goen), Amphoe Ngao, Lampang Province, Thailand
  267. Nicha Rakpanichmanee (as an individual), Bangkok Noi, Bangkok, Thailand
  268. Penchom Saetang, Director, Ecological Alert and Recovery-Thailand (EARTH), Thailand
  269. Petrochemical Industrial Estate Study Group and Public Policy Related Affected Community-Support Network (Songwut Phatkeaw), Nakorn-Sri-thammarat, Thailand
  270. Plan to Promote the System Development to Build-up Healthiness of Farmers, Community (Tussanee Verakan), Thailand
  271. Potash Mining Resistance Group (Suwit Kulaap-wong), Udon Thani, Thailand
  272. Project for Ecological Awareness Building (EAB) (Sayamol Kaiyoorawong), Trang, Thailand
  273. Rangsima Limpisawas (as an individual), Nonthaburi province, Thailand
  274. Renu Vejaratpimol, PhD, Associate Professor in Animal Biotechnology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University, Nakorn Pathom, Thailand
  275. Rice Fund Surin Organic Cooperative Ltd (Sompoi ChanSaeng), Surin, Thailand
  276. Sajin Prachason (as an individual), Analyst, Sustainable Agriculture Foundation, Bangkok, Thailand
  277. Siriluk Sriprasit, Department of International Affairs, Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
  278. Songkran Pongboonchan, Lawyer, (as an individual) EnLAW, Bangkok, Thailand
  279. Southern Alternative Agriculture Network (SAAN) (Ekkachai Issaratha), Songkha, Thailand
  280. Srisada Paisansakunchai (as an individual), Faculty of Law, Ubon Rajathanee University, Thailand
  281. Sukran Rojanapaiwong, (as an individual) Nonthaburi, Thailand
  282. Supaporn Malailoy, (as an individual) Coordinator, EnLAW, Bangkok, Thailand
  283. Supara Janchiitfah(as an individual), Journalist , Bangkok, Thailand
  284. Surangrut jumnianpol, researcher, Chulalongkorn University Social Research Institute, Bangkok, Thailand
  285. Surin Farmers Support Project (Thanya Saeng-Ubon), Thailand
  286. Sustainable Agriculture Foundation Thailand (SAF) (Supa Yaimuang), Thailand
  287. Thai Holistic Health Foundation (Weerapong Krieng-sinyos), Bangkok, Thailand
  288. Thai Judicial Process Research Team (TJP) (Pichet Maolanond), Bangkok, Thailand
  289. Thai Netizen Network (Pichate Yingkiattikun), Bangkok, Thailand
  290. Thai Working Group for Climate Justice (TCJ) (Faikham Hannarong), Bangkok, Thailand
  291. Thap Sakae Conservative Group (Sureerat Taechutrakul), Thailand
  292. The Women Network for Progress and Peace (Pimtham Auafua), Bangkok, Thailand
  293. Thiwa Taeng-orn, the Borwin Community Group to Protect Environment from Dowa's Hazardous Waste Protect, Chonburi Province, Thailand
  294. Three Provinces Network Against Gold Mining in Pichit, Phetchabun and Pisanulok Provinces (Sue-gunya Theerachart-damrong), Thailand
  295. Tii Trairatanasaengmanee (as an individual), Tambon Nongkob, Amphoe Nongsaeng, Saraburi Province, Thailand
  296. Vasana Chinvarakorn, freelance writer Bangkok, Thailand
  297. Walaiporn Mooksuwan (as an individual), Ecological Alert and Recovery - Thailand (EARTH), Nonthaburi, Thailand
  298. Wang Sapung Gold Mine Monitor (Wachara-porn Wattana-kham), Loei Province, Thailand
  299. Wanun permpibul (as an individual), Bangkok, Thailand
  300. AEEFG, La Marsa, Tunisia
  301. APEDDUB (Dr Najwa Bourawi), Tunisia
  302. Ellady Muyambi, Secretary General, Uganda Network on Toxic Free Malaria Control (UNETMAC), Kampala, Uganda
  303. Robert Tumwesigye Baganda, Executive Director, Pro-biodiversity Conservationists in Uganda (PROBICOU), Kampala, Uganda
  304. Asfara Ahmed, MSc in Environmental Change and Management University of Oxford 2011-2012, UK
  305. Evan Oktanianus, MSc in Environmental Change and Management University of Oxford 2011-2012, UK
  306. Kanahaya Alam, Matthew Arnold School student, Oxford, UK
  307. Laura Canevari, MSc in Environmental Change and Management University of Oxford 2011-2012, UK
  308. Rhea Cordeiro, MSc in Environmental Change and Management University of Oxford 2011-2012, UK
  309. Alex Madonik PhD, Senior Scientist, Green Science Policy Institute, Berkeley, California, USA
  310. Angela Berry, Project Manager California Indian Environmental Alliance (CIEA), USA
  311. Arlene Blum PhD, Executive Director, Green Science Policy Institute Berkeley California, USA
  312. Bill Ravanesi MA,MPH, Health Care Without Harm, Boston Regional Director, USA
  313. Cara Lovell, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
  314. David Lennett, Senior Attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), USA
  315. Divinia Nolasco Ries, MPH, MS, Ph.D., Toxicologist, MI Department of Environmental Quality, MI, USA
  316. Erica R. McKenzie, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Davis, USA
  317. Housatonic Environmental Action League, Inc. (Audrey Cole, President), CT, USA
  318. Jennifer Federico, Oakland, CA, USA
  319. Jim Puckett, Executive Director, Basel Action Network., WA, USA
  320. Jose T. Bravo, Executive Director, Just Transition Alliance, USA
  321. Joseph DiGangi PhD, Senior Science and Technical Advisor of IPEN, USA
  322. Judith Robinson, Executive Director, Environmental Health Fund (EHF), USA
  323. Kathleen A. Curtis, LPN, Executive Director, Clean and Healthy New York (formerly Clean New York), USA
  324. Mark Rossi, Co-Director, Clean Production Action, USA
  325. Michael Bender, Mercury Policy Project, VT, USA
  326. Ned Gray, Ned Gray Photography, MA, USA
  327. Pamela Miller, Executive Director, Alaska Community Action on Toxics, Alaska, USA
  328. Rosalyn Driscoll, Haydenville, MA, USA
  329. SafeMinds (Eric Uram, Executive Director), CA, USA
  330. Sciencecorps (Kathleen Burns, Ph.D., Director), Lexington, MA, USA
  331. Susan Egan Keane, Senior Analyst at NRDC in Washington DC, USA
  332. Ted Smith, Coordinator, International Campaign for Responsible Technology, San Jose, CA USA
  333. Theo Colborn, PhD President TEDX (The Endocrine Disruption Exchange), USA
  334. Tim Gray, Ex Director, Housatonic River Initiative, Lenoxdale, Ma, USA
  335. Tom Lent - Policy Director - Healthy Building Network, CA, USA
  336. Yuka Takamiya, Basel Action Network, Seattle, WA, USA
  337. Richard Cellarius, International Vice President, Sierra Club US and Canada
  338. Fundacion Aguaclara, Venezuela
  339. ASOPRODEM, Alianza para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos, la ecologia y el Medio Ambiente, Caracas, Venezuela
  340. Health Care Without Harm (Joshua Karliner, International Team Coordinator)
Signatories receieved on and after Jan 23, 2012 : 13

  1. Fatien Karunia Fajarrini, PhD candidate Edith Cowan University, Australia
  2. Alexander Doukas, MSc Candidate at the University of Oxford, Toronto, Canada
  3. Stephen Bwete, Student/Intern, Radijojo World Children's Radio Network, Germany
  4. Thomas Rohlinger, MBA, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Radijojo World Children's Radio Network, Germany
  5. A. Rara Dewanti, Student of International School, Indonesia
  6. Daru Setyo Rini, MSi, Biolitik Network Indonesia, Indonesia
  7. Prayekti, Indonesia Center for Environmental Law, Indonesia
  8. Teguh Ardi Srianto, Environmental Journalist Community, Indonesia
  9. Wawan Some, Komunitas Nol Sampah Surabaya, Indonesia
  10. Mageswari Sangaralingam, Research Officer, Consumers' Association of Penang, Malaysia
  11. Greenpeace International, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  12. Courtenay Lewis, MSc Environmental Change and Management at the University of Oxford, UK
  13. Frances Matthews, MSc Environmental Change and Management at University of Oxford, UK

Annex
January 5, 2012
Takeshi Yasuma
Citizens Against Chemicals Pollution (CACP), Japan

Annex A
Why Lessons Learned from Minamata are important to the Mercury Treaty?

1. Mercury Treaty

In 2009, UNEP decided to convene an intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC) to prepare a global legally binding instrument on mercury, commencing its work in 2010 with the goal of completing it prior to the 27th regular session of the GC/Global Ministerial Environment Forum in 2013. Total five INCs are scheduled and already three INCs were taken place. The latest INC 3 was held in last October 31 to November 4 at Nairobi, Kenya and, as for technical matters, the following items were mainly discussed.
  • Mercury supply
  • International trade in mercury
  • Products and processes
  • Artisanal and small-scale gold mining
  • Emissions and releases
  • Storage, wastes and contaminated sites
2. Discussion and Results on Article 14 Contaminated Sites

We were very disappointed by the results of the discussion on the Article 14 Contaminated Sites during INC 3 because it watered down to be very weak and voluntarily based, and it did not include the core elements of the Lessons Learned from Minamata, which are summarized as follows.
  • Polluter's responsibility for contaminated sites and bearing costs for restoration or rehabilitation;
  • Polluter's responsibility for victims, which includes but is not limited to compensation for them;
  • Government's and polluter's responsibility for a thorough and transparent investigation for the full picture of Minamata tragedy; and
  • Full disclosure of information on the causes and the facts of the Minamata Disease Incident.
These "Lessons Learned from Minamata" were the most important elements among many lessons learned during more than 50 years of its history, which were derived from the following unacceptable critical transgressions arising from the mishandling of the Minamata tragedies, which have treated victims harshly for half a century.

  • Unethical and illegal acts committed by the Chisso Company;
  • Inaction, insincerity, deception and violations of laws including the Food Sanitation Law by the Japanese government;
  • Collusion between and among the Chisso Company, academia and the government;
  • Distortion of scientific reports / evidence by scholars beholden to the government and Chisso Company ; and
  • Disregard of human right, and health, environment and safety.

If these "Lessons Learned" are not included in the mercury treaty, then people who suffered from mercury contamination will not be able to require under the mercury treaty, the restoration or rehabilitation of contaminated site; compensation of victims; thorough investigation of contaminated sites and victims; and full disclosure of information. In order to prevent tragedies of Minamata from happening again anywhere in the world, and unfortunately even if it happens at the worst, in order to make governments and polluters take responsibility for the contamination, it is very important to include the Lessons Learned in the mercury treaty.


Annex B
About Minamata Disease

1. What is Minamata disease?

When mercury enters into food chain, mercury bioaccumulation occurs in the food chain. Methylmercury is especially toxic to human with a neurological syndrome and one of the most famous case is Minamata disease. It was found in the early 50s around Minamata Bay in Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan, caused by methylmercury in wastewater from Chisso Corporation. Symptoms include ataxia, numbness in the hands and feet, general muscle weakness, narrowing of the field of vision and damage to hearing and speech. In extreme cases, insanity, paralysis, coma, and death follow within weeks of the onset of symptoms. A congenital form of the disease can also affect fetuses in the womb. (Symptoms by Minamata disease / Wikipedia)

2. How many people suffered from the mercury released by Chisso Corporation?

During half century since Minamata disease was found, it is said that more than 50,000 people around Minamata and the vicinity suffered from Minamata disease who consumed a lot of mercury contaminated fishes or who exposed to the mercury in mother's womb. The Japanese government has not conducted comprehensive health studies on Minamata disease and the law still does not require it. Thus the government has not gotten hold of the total number of Minamata victims who suffered and are suffering from methylmercury discharged by Chisso. Nobody will be able to know the full true picture of the Minamata disease. There are many victims who could not disclose their disease for fear of discrimination in their community, who already died without being recognized, and fetuses who died before delivery. There is no record for these victims and it will vanish into the night forever. The following are a rough estimate for the number of victims derived from some official and some other sources including media.
  • Victims compensated
    -Those who were recognized (as of Dec. 31, 2009) : 2,271
    -1995: Those who accepted the political settlement: approx. 11,000
    -2004: Those who were recognized by Supreme Court: 51

  • Victims to be compensated (Mainichi Shimbun March 29, 2010)
    -Those who applied for recognition (as of Feb 28, 2010) : 7,608
    -Those who received free medical treatment (as of Feb 28, 2010) : 26,670
    -Those who may be identified later: unknown

  • Estimated total number of compensated victims: more than 47,600

(Source: MINAMATA AND THE GLOBAL TREATY ON MERCURY CACP, 2010)

3. Unethical acts of Chisso responsible for Minamata disease

History has shown us not only Chisso Corporation polluted Minamata Bay, but also how it dealt with the victims and its critics. The following pattern of corporate behavior speaks of the foul deeds that led to Minamata tragedy.

  • It is uncontroversial that Chisso continued to dump methylmercury containing wastewater into Minamata bay and caused Minamata disease which was the first largest incident ever happened of food poisoning through food chain and .environmental pollution more than 50 years ago.
  • The company did not acknowledge of its responsibility for Minamata disease for along time.
  • Chisso willfully concealed the result of a study for 10 years which showed the wastewater from Chisso as the cause of Minamata disease. It was only until Dr. Hosokawa who conducted the study testified the fact from his sick bed for a Minamata disease lawsuit.
  • Chisso tried to delay in bringing the facts of the case that the cause is Chisso's methylmercury to light by presenting various counterarguments mobilizing "expert scientists" as a way to cover up its culpability.
  • Chisso made a contract with victims for "sympathy money" which was criticized later as an act contrary to public policy, because it required victims not to claim anything from Chisso, even if the wastewater from Chisso would be identified in future as the cause of Minamata disease.
  • The company employed violence on victims and media including photographers W. Eugene Smith and his wife.
  • Chisso delayed in giving compensation to Minamata victims; and
  • Chisso was allowed to escape their responsibilities through the split of Chisso into two companies under the Minamata Disease Victim Relief Law.
(Source: MINAMATA AND THE GLOBAL TREATY ON MERCURY CACP, 2010)

4. Inaction and insincerity of the Government:

The government did not take adequate measures for Minamata disease and victims. As a result, it failed in preventing spread of the disease and caused delay of relief of victims. The following inaction for mercury pollution and insincerity to victims speak volumes of the government's failure.
  • It did not apply the Food Sanitation Act to ban the sale of contaminated seafood from Minamata bay at the initial stages, and this allowed the damage of Minamata disease to expand to such a large extent.
  • It did not require Chisso's responsibility for the damage even after the cause was identified as wastewater from Chisso.
  • When a mediation committee was set up by the government, it demanded victims' submission of a note of confirmation to accept the committee's conclusion without objection. This caused victims' split into two groups.
  • The government established a criterion for certification of Minamata disease which accepted only limited conditions with certain symptoms to avoid increase in number of victims to be compensated. The Osaka District Court later criticized the criterion, since the court deemed there was no medical basis for the criterion.
  • The government was castigated by the Supreme Court because of its inaction and irresponsibility in preventing spread of the Minamata disease.
  • It enacted the Minamata Disease Victim Relief Law which allowed Chisso to split into two companies, did not require to review the certification criterion for Minamata disease and also did not require thorough health investigation of residents in the area contaminated by the methylmercury from Chisso.
(Source: MINAMATA AND THE GLOBAL TREATY ON MERCURY CACP, 2010)

5. Findings by medical scientists that brings new light to the injustice and death in Minamata:

  • As for the Minamata disease, the high-level acute mercury poisoning was emphasized but the low level exposure, especially to fetuses and children was not paid much attention. Consequently, studies for the low level exposure were behind other countries. (Harada et al. 2009)
  • Government and Chisso ignored or even tried to hush up the truth because they did not want the real damage disclosed to be bigger, in order to avoid increase in their responsibility and cost for compensation. (Harada et al. 2009)
  • Methylmercury research was impaired by inappropriate attention to narrow case definitions and uncertain chemical speciation. It also ignored the link between ecotoxicity and human toxicity. As a result, serious delays affected the recognition of methylmercury as a cause of serious human poisonings in Minamata, Japan. (Philippe Grandjean et al. 2010)
  • A key experiment showing that cats developed the characteristic disease when fed effluent water from a polluting factory was suppressed by the sponsoring company, and the detailed results became available only after a delay of 40 years. (Philippe Grandjean et al. 2010/Eto et al. 2001)
  • Although Jun Ui’s critique (D’Itri and D’Itri 1978), given in the introduction of this review, referred to Japanese regulatory agencies themselves being afflicted by signs of methylmercury poisoning, here we suggest that environmental health research, too, has suffered tunnel vision, forgetfulness, lack of coordination, and some of the other symptoms noted in poisoning cases. Like methylmercury poisoning itself, such abnormalities deserve preventative action (Philippe Grandjean et al. 2010).
(Source: MINAMATA AND THE GLOBAL TREATY ON MERCURY CACP, 2010)


Annex C
Further Detailed Information

Please read the CACP report MINAMATA AND THE GLOBAL TREATY ON MERCURY, CACP, 2010
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/kagaku/pico/mercury/Shiryou/Minamata_and_Global_Hg_Treaty_en.pdf



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