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.
- Polluter's responsibility for contaminated sites and bearing costs for restoration or rehabilitation;
- Polluter's responsibility for all 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.
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
- Asociacion Argentina de Medicos por el Medio Ambiente (AAMMA), Argentina
- International Society of Doctors for the Environment (ISDE), Argentina
- Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment (AWHHE), Armenia
- Jo Immig, National Coordinator, NATIONAL TOXICS NETWORK, Australia
- Prof. Islam Mustafayev, Ecological Society "Ruzgar", Azerbaijan
- Shahriar Hossain, Ph.D., Ecologist, Journalist & Social Justice Advocate, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Center for environmental solutions (CES) (Eugeniy Lobanov, Program Director/Toxics Campaigner), Belarus
- European Environmental Bureau (aisbl) (EEB), Belgium
- Genon K. Jensen, Executive Director, Health and Environment Alliance, Brussels, Belgium
- AMAR, Environmental Defense Association, Brazil
- APROMAC, Enviromental Protection Association, Brazil
- Cecilia Zavariz, Medical Auditor's Fiscal Work of the Ministry of Labor, Brazil
- Zuleica Nycz, Toxisphera Environmental Health Association, Brazil
- Environmental Association Za Zemiata, Sofia, Bulgaria
- Gilbert Kuepouo, Ph.D., Coordinator, CREPD- Research and Education Center for Development, Cameroon
- Anna Tilman, Vice-President, International Institute of Concern for Public Health (IICPH), Canada
- Central Asia Toxic Action network (prof Igor Hadjamberdiev, prof Rustam Tukhvatshin, prof ass Alimjan Koshmuratov)
- Chen Hao, Global Village of Beijing, China
- Da Mao, PhD, Environmental Historian, School of Environmental Health, Nature University, Green Beagle, China
- Green Beagle, China
- Green Camel Bell, China
- Hou Fei, Global Village of Beijing, China
- Jiang Chao, Program Manager, Global Village of Beijing, China
- Lang Dezhong, Green Longjiang, China
- Liao Xiaoyi, Global Village of Beijing, China
- Shen Wei, Global Village of Beijing, China
- Tianjie Ma, Greenpeace East Asia, China
- Tong Meng Volunteer,Global Village of Beijing, China
- Wan Jing, Global Village of Beijing, China
- Wang Huali, Executive Director, Dongguan Green Zhujiang Environmental Promotion Center, China
- Wang Xinchao, Global Village of Beijing, China
- Wang Ying, Campaigner, Green Peace, China
- WECF - Women in Europe for a Common Future, Germany, France and The Netherlands
- Wen Hengfeng, Global Village of Beijing, China
- Yu Xiaoyong, Friends of Green China TianJin, China
- Yun Jianli, President, Green Hanjiang- Environment Protection Association of Xiangfan City, China
- Zhang Hong, Program Advisor, Global Village of Beijing, China
- Zhang Zhongmin, Director, Hebei Green Friend Association, China
- Arnika - Toxics and Waste Programe, Czech Republic
- Jari Huhtala, chemist, Finnish Association for Nature Conservation (Suomen luonnonsuojeluliitto), Finlamd
- Anne Barre, President, Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF) France, France
- Association Toxicologie Chimie (ATC), president Andre Picot, France
- Centre National d'Information Independante sur les Dechets (CNIID) - executive director Sebastien Lapeyre, France
- Generations Futures (GF) - president Maria Pelletier, France
- Non Au Mercure Dentaire (NAMD) - spokeperson Marie Grosman, France
- Reseau Environnement Sante (RES) - president Andre Cicolella, France
- 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
- Manana Devidze, Director, Foundation Caucasus Environment, Tbilisi, Georgia
- BUND (Friends of the Earth Germany), Germany
- German League for Nature and Environment (Deutscher Naturschutzring (DNR)), Germany
- Sonja Haider, Germany
- Association of Environmental Health, Budapest, Hungary
- Amarjyoti Kashyap, President, ENVIRON, India
- Development Initiative for Self Reliance & Human advancement(DISHA), India
- Gopal Krishna, Convener, ToxicsWatch Alliance (TWA), New Delhi, India
- Krishna Mayur, renewable energy expert, Hyderabad, India
- Satish Sinha, Associate Director, Toxics Link, Environmental NGO, New Delhi, India
- Tushar Pancholi, Paryvaraniya Vikas Kendra, Rajkot, Gujarat, India
- Andika Putra, Universitas Indonesia Geography student, Indonesia
- Adhitya Nur Rachman, HMTL ITB, Indonesia
- Andita Primanti, BALIFOKUS Toxics Program Officer, Indonesia
- Armyn Gita, BALIFOKUS Toxics Program Officer, Indonesia
- Audi Nisa Fadhila, ITB Environmental Engineering student, Indonesia
- Bayu Susila, BALIFOKUS, Indonesia
- Budi Santoso, Principal Consultant SRK Consulting Indonesia, Indonesia
- Denna Medhina Andhini, Environmental Engineering, Institute Bandung of Technology, Indonesia
- Dian Hadiani, consultant, Indonesia
- Dwi Heru Siswantoro, Gajah Mada University Mechanical Engineering student, Indonesia
- Dyah Paramita, Indonesian Center for Environmental Law, Indonesia
- Eka Arifin, freelance writer and blogger, Indonesia
- Farah Sofa, LEAD Fellow Cohort-14, Indonesia
- Hasrul Kokoh, professional photographer, Indonesia
- Hesty Afrida, Universitas Indonesia Inorganic Chemistry student, Indonesia
- Imania Eka Diyanti, Environmental Engineering Students Association, Bandung Institute of Technology, Indonesia
- Mayang Putri Alam, IUP FE UGM student, Indonesia
- Melliza pretty putri utami, Himpunan mahasiswa teknik lingkungan- institut teknologi bandung
(Environmental engineering student association - bandung institute of technology), Indonesia
- Nenci Hutapea, Universitas Indonesia Inorganic Chemistry student, Indonesia
- Paola Cannucciari, EcoBali, Indonesia
- Prigi Arisandi, ECOTON, Indonesia
- Prof. Rachmadhi Purwana, Public Health Faculty Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia
- Puteri Siti Salmiati, Environmental Engineering, Bandung Institute of Technology Student Union, Indonesia
- Putu Ririen, BALIFOKUS Toxics Program Officer, Indonesia
- Riana Widyastuti, Universitas Indonesia Pharmacy student, Indonesia
- Rini Sulaiman, forestry consultant, Indonesia
- Rohman Nurdiansyah, Universitas Indonesia Physical Chemistry student, Indonesia
- Rondang Siregar, Research Associate, R3CCUI, Indonesia
- Rossana Dewi, Gita Pertiwi, Indonesia
- Rully Prayoga, 350.org East Asia, Indonesia
- Santi Marliana Simanjuntak, Universitas Indonesia Inorganic Chemistry student, Indonesia
- Shaviry Octaviani, Universitas Indonesia Inorganic Chemistry student, Indonesia
- Siti Maimunah, Mining Advocacy Network (JATAM), Indonesia
- Stephen Palmer, Surfer Girl - CSR and Green Practices Advisor, Indonesia
- Teddy Brahmancha, GM BALIFOKUS, Indonesia
- Tegar Bhakti, Universitas Indonesia Inorganic Chemistry student, Indonesia
- Wilianita Selviana, WALHI Central Sulawesi, Indonesia
- Yomie Fernando, UI Chemistry student, Indonesia
- Yune Eribowo, education consultant, Indonesia
- Yuyun Ismawati, Indonesia Toxics-Free Network, Coordinator, Indonesia
- Zeski Phagara, Universitas Indonesia Mechanical Engineering student, Indonesia
- Italian Society of Doctors for the Environment (ISDE), Italy
- Kumiko Homma, PhD researcher, Japan
- "Greenwomen" Analytical Environmental Agency, Kazakhstan
- Cooperation for Sustainable Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan
- Griffins Ochieng, Programmes Coordinator, iLima Organization, Nairobi, Kenya
- African Indigenous Women's organization (E and SA), Kenya
- Indigenous Information Network, Kenya
- Okeyo Benards, Eco Ethics Int., Kenya
- Silvia K. Muller, CSN - Chemical Sensitivity Network, Germany
- Dr. Jeong-ok Kong, Korea Institute of Labor Safety and Health, Korea
- Dr. Eng. Naji KODEIH - Toxicochemist, Policy Advisor and Toxic Campaigner, IndyACT - The League of Independent Activists, Beirut, Lebanon
- Action For Breast Cancer Foundation Malta, Malta
- Development Indian Ocean Network (DION), Mauritius
- Pesticide Action Network - Mauritius, Mauritius
- David Foust Rodriguez, Social Sciences Doctorate student, Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico
- Fernando Bejarano, Center for Analyses on Toxics and Alternatives (CAATA), Mexico
- JA! Justica Ambiental, Mozambique
- Ram Charitra Sah, Executive Director, Center for Public Health and Environmental Development (CEPHED), Kathmandu, Nepal
- Dr. Trevor King, Palmerton North, New Zealand
- Leslie Adogame, Executive Director, Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev), Nigeria
- Dr. Mahmood A. Khwaja, Senior Adviser, Chemicals and Sustainable Indistrial Development (SDPI),Islamabad, Pakistan
- Philippine Nurses Association (Teresita Barcelo), Philippines
- Aaron Pedrosa, Philippines
- Action for Nurturing Children and the Environment (ANCE) (Fr. Max Abalos, SVD), Philippines
- Alliance of Young Nurse Leaders and Advocacy (Stephanie Claros), Philippines
- Arugaan (Velvet Roxas), Philippines
- Assalam Bangsamoro People's Association, Philippines
- Atty. Amang Mejia, Philippines
- Atty. Ronald De Veyra
- Bangon Kalikasan Movement (Joey Papa), Philippines
- Beverly Bedia, Philippines
- Buklod Tao (Noli Abinales), Philippines
- Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (Leody De Guzman), Philippines
- Caster Palaganas, Philippines
- Cavite Green Coalition (Ochie Tolentino), Philippines
- Chinkie Pelino, Philippines
- Citizens Organization Concerned with Advocating Philippine Environmental Sustainability (Esther Pacheco), Philippines
- Connie Sison, Philippines
- Conrado Reyes, Philippines
- Councilor Numero Uno Lim, Philippines
- Diocese of Kalookan (Bishop Deogracias Iniguez), Philippines
- Dir. Suzette Lazo, Philippines
- Dr. Ana Lorraine Sanchez, Philippines
- Dr. Bessie Antonio, Philippines
- Dr. Eric Tayag, Philippines
- Dr. Helen Mendoza, Philippines
- Dr. Jaime G. Tan, Philippines
- Dr. Leah Primitiva Samaco-Paquiz, Philippines
- Dr. Rudy Albornoz, Philippines
- Earth Renewal Project (Roy Alvarez), Philippines
- Elsie Retanan, Philippines
- Engr. Nelia Garandillos, Philippines
- Evangeline Lucero, Philippines
- Faye Ferrer, Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia, Philippines
- Freedom form Debt Coalition (Aaron Pedrosa), Philippines
- Gregorio Relova, Philippines
- Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative > Legal Services, Inc (Ed Ligon), Philippines
- Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services, Inc. (Atty. Tanya Lat), Philippines
- Interface Development Interventions (Lia Jasmin Esquillo), Philippines
- Ivan Mayrina, Philippines
- Jaime Tristan Flavias, Philippines
- Joel Escandor, Philippines
- Kinaiyahan Foundation, Inc (Betty Cabazares), Philippines
- Kongresong Pagkakaisa ng Maralitang Lunsod (Emelita Ablir), Philippines
- Krusada sa Kalikasan (Neneng Joson), Philippines, Philippines
- Ligdung Sumbanan Alang sa Kabataan sa Sugbo, Cebu (Victor Sumampong), Philippines
- Likhang-Lahi (Atty. Lucille Karen Malilong-Isberto), Philippines
- Lingkod Tao-Kalikasan (Sr. Maria Aida Velasquez), Philippines
- Ma. Leonora Dizon, Philippines
- Makabata Para sa Bayan (Allan Tura), Philippines
- Mark Vincent Chua, Philippines
- Mindanao Inter-Diocesan Sustainable Agriculture Network (Vic Tagupa), Philippines
- Mother Earth Foundation (Sonia Mendoza), Philippines
- Nagkakaisang Mananambakan sa Dumpsite Area (Louie Lizano), Philippines
- Nars ng Bayan (Eleanor Nolasco), Philippines
- November 17 Movement (Romy Hidalgo), Philippines
- Odrazen Percival S. Ocampo, Philippine
- Partnership for Clean Air (Rene Pineda), Philippines
- Peging Su, Philippines
- Pesticide Action Network - Philippines (Dr. Romy Quijano), Philippines
- Philippine Earth Justice Center (Atty. Gloria Ramos), Philippines
- Project Protect, EcoWaste Coalition (Thony Dizon), Philippines
- Rex Nidea, Philippines
- Rommel Arriola, Philippine
- Samahan Pagkakaisa ng mga Tindera sa Talipapa (Kokoy Gan), Philippines
- Sang-at-Uli Mountaineering Society (SUMSOC-PNU), Philippines
- Sanlakas, Youth (Haide Amigable), Philippines
- Save Babies Coalition (Ines Fernandez), Philippine
- Sibuyan Island Sentinels League for the Environment, Inc. (Rodne Galicha), Philippines
- Teachers Dignity Coalition (Benjo Basas), Philippines
- Tina Panganiban-Perez, Philippines
- Tom Villarin, Philippines
- Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (Rafael Mapalo), Philippines
- University of San Carlos, Cebu City (Johanna Bagacay), Philippines
- Von Hernandez, Philippines
- Xavier University Sustainable Agriculture Center (Vic Tagupa), Philippines
- Angelina P. Galang, President, Green Convergence for Safe Food, Healthy Environment and Sustainable Economy, Philippines
- Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA)、Quezon City, Philippines
- Ma. Teresa M. Oliva, Miriam P.E.A.C.E. (Public Education and Awareness Campaign for the Environment), Philippines
- Richard Gutierrez, Director, Ban Toxics!, Quezon Philippines
- Sonia S. Mendoza, Chairman, Mother Earth Foundation, Philippines
- Sun Valley Association, Romania
- Olga Speranskaya, PhD, CoChair, International POPs Elimination Network, Director, Eco-Accord Program on Chemical Safety, Russia
- groundWork (Friends of the Earth South Africa), South Africa
- South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, Durban, South Africa
- Eva Caballe, Economist, Patient with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Barcelona, Spain
- 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
- Servando Perez-Dominguez, President of MERCURIADOS (dental amalgams mercury victims and other mercury victims), Spain
- Lars D. Hylander, PhD, Assoc. Prof. Uppsala Universitet, Uppsala, Sweden
- Manny Calonzo and Dr. Olga Speranskaya, IPEN Co-Chairs, IPEN, Sweden
- Muazama Burkhanova, PhD, Chair of Public Association "Foundation to support civil initiatives", Tajikistan
- Mwadhini O. Myanza, Executive Director; Irrigation Training and Economic Empowerment Organization; IRTECO, Tanzania;
- Prof. Jamidu H.Y. Katima PhD, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Silvani Mng'anya, Principal Programme Officer, AGENDA, Tanzania
- Help Without Frontiers Foundation Thailand (Siraporn Kaewsombat, Board Member and Secretary General ), Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand
- Oranuch Lerdkulladilok (as an individual), Help Without Frontiers Foundation Thailand, Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand
- Alternative Agriculture Network - Northeast (Mahasarakam province) (Ubon U-Wha), Thailand
- Alternative Agriculture Network - Lower North & Central Region (Phulphet Seelueng), Chachoengsao, Thailand
- Alternative Agriculture Network (AAN) (Areerat Kittisiri), Nonthaburi, Thailand
- Alternative Agriculture Network (AAN-North) (Arun Yhai-kam), Chiang Rai, Thailand
- Alternative Energy Project for Sustainability (AEPS) (Wacharee Plaong-loeng-thong), Thailand
- Assembly of People, For People and For the EARTH (Teerawat Namdaung), Rayong, Thailand
- Ban Krud Environment and Nature Conservation Group (Chintana Kaewkhao), Prachub Kirikhan, Thailand
- Biothai Foundation, Nonthaburi (Witoon Lienchamloon), Thailand
- Blur Borders (Nopawan Sirivejkul), Bangkok, Thailand
- Campaign on Public Policy on Mineral Resources (PPM) (Lertsak Kumkongsak), Thailand
- Center for Peace and Conflict Studies (Prof. Surichai Wun'gaeo, Director), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Chanchai CHAISUKKOSOL (as an individual), Lecturer, Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies, Mahidol University, Nakorn Pathom province, Thailand
- Chantana Banpasirichote, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Chantrapa Jindathong (as an individual), Social worker, Umphang Hospital, Tak Province, Thailand
- Chumchonthai Foundation (Preeda kongpaen), Bangkok, Thailand
- Civil Society Planning Network (Paranee Sawasdirak), Bangkok, Thailand
- Copper Mining Campaign Group (Samruey Thong-chan), Amphoe Muang, Loei, Thailand
- Council of Work and Environment Related Patient's Network of Thailand (WEPT) (Somboon Srikamdokkae), Nonthaburi, Thailand
- Darunee Paisanpanichkul (as an individual), Lawyer, Bangkok, Thailand
- Dawan Chantarahesdee, (as an individual) Klongdan, Bangbor, Samutprakarn, Thailand
- Development of Older People Group (Weerapong Kanwannawakul), Chiang Rai, Thailand
- Dolruedee Kramnaimuang, (as an individual) Palmerston North, New Zealand
- Dr. Arpa Wangkiat (as an individual), Rangsit University, Pathumthani, Thailand
- Dr. Buntoon Srethasirote, Director, Good Governance for Social Development and the Environment Foundation, Bangkok, Thailand
- Dr. Opart Panya (as an individual), Board member of Greenpeace of Southeast Asia, Bangkok, Thailand
- Dr. Pitsamai Purisinsit Eamsakulrat, Bangkapi, Bangkok, Thailand
- Dr. Voravidh Charoenloet, Faculty of Economics Chiang Mai University, Thailand
- Drug Study Group (Wanna Sriwiriya-nupap), Thailand
- Eastern People Network (Sutti Atchasai), Rayong Province, Thailand
- Ecological and Culture Study Group (Bamben Chaiyarak), Udornthani, Thailand
- EnLAW (Surachai Trong-ngam, Director), Thailand
- Foundation for Consumers (Saree Aongsomwang), Bangkok, Thailand
- Foundation for Women (Usa Lerdsrisanthud, Director), Bangkok, Thailand
- FTA Watch (Jacques-chai Chomthongdee), Bangkok, Thailand
- Green World Foundation (Keurmaetha Rerkpornpipat, Website Editor), Bangkok, Thailand
- Greenpeace Southeast Asia (Ply Pirom), Bangkok, Thailand
- Health & Development Foundation, (H&DF) (Sumlee Jaidee), Thailand
- Healthy Public Policy Foundation (Suphakit Nuntavorakarn), Thailand
- Junya Yimprasert, Action for People's Democracy in Thailand, Thailand
- Jutamas Sappradid, (as an individual) Ecological Alert and Recovery - Thailand, Nonthaburi, Thailand
- Karen Studies and Development Center (Surapong Kongchantuk), Thailand
- Karnt Thassanaphak(as an individual), Nampong district, Konkaen, Thailand
- Kulapa Vajanasara (as an individual), Researcher,Institute for Population and Social Research,Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Local Care Bonok (Korn-u-ma Pongnoi), Prachub Kirikhan, Thailand
- Luntharimar Longcharoen (as an individual), Bangkok, Thailand
- Mae Sod Zinc Mining Resistance (Yannaphat Prai-mee-saab), Amphoe Mae Sod, Tak, Thailand
- Mining Monitoring Network of the Mae Soi River Basin (Phra Yongyuth Thee-pra-go (Bhikkhu)), Amphoe Wang-Chin, Prae, Thailand
- Montana Daungprapa, lawyer, Bangkok, Thailand
- Nanthaporn Techaprasertsakul (as an individual), Master Degree Student, Jounalism Faculty, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Narumol Arunothai (as an individual), Social Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
- Ngao Coal Mine Resistance Group (Waew-warin Buan-goen), Amphoe Ngao, Lampang Province, Thailand
- Nicha Rakpanichmanee (as an individual), Bangkok Noi, Bangkok, Thailand
- Penchom Saetang, Director, Ecological Alert and Recovery-Thailand (EARTH), Thailand
- Petrochemical Industrial Estate Study Group and Public Policy Related Affected Community-Support Network (Songwut Phatkeaw), Nakorn-Sri-thammarat, Thailand
- Plan to Promote the System Development to Build-up Healthiness of Farmers, Community (Tussanee Verakan), Thailand
- Potash Mining Resistance Group (Suwit Kulaap-wong), Udon Thani, Thailand
- Project for Ecological Awareness Building (EAB) (Sayamol Kaiyoorawong), Trang, Thailand
- Rangsima Limpisawas (as an individual), Nonthaburi province, Thailand
- Renu Vejaratpimol, PhD, Associate Professor in Animal Biotechnology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University, Nakorn Pathom, Thailand
- Rice Fund Surin Organic Cooperative Ltd (Sompoi ChanSaeng), Surin, Thailand
- Sajin Prachason (as an individual), Analyst, Sustainable Agriculture Foundation, Bangkok, Thailand
- Siriluk Sriprasit, Department of International Affairs, Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
- Songkran Pongboonchan, Lawyer, (as an individual) EnLAW, Bangkok, Thailand
- Southern Alternative Agriculture Network (SAAN) (Ekkachai Issaratha), Songkha, Thailand
- Srisada Paisansakunchai (as an individual), Faculty of Law, Ubon Rajathanee University, Thailand
- Sukran Rojanapaiwong, (as an individual) Nonthaburi, Thailand
- Supaporn Malailoy, (as an individual) Coordinator, EnLAW, Bangkok, Thailand
- Supara Janchiitfah(as an individual), Journalist , Bangkok, Thailand
- Surangrut jumnianpol, researcher, Chulalongkorn University Social Research Institute, Bangkok, Thailand
- Surin Farmers Support Project (Thanya Saeng-Ubon), Thailand
- Sustainable Agriculture Foundation Thailand (SAF) (Supa Yaimuang), Thailand
- Thai Holistic Health Foundation (Weerapong Krieng-sinyos), Bangkok, Thailand
- Thai Judicial Process Research Team (TJP) (Pichet Maolanond), Bangkok, Thailand
- Thai Netizen Network (Pichate Yingkiattikun), Bangkok, Thailand
- Thai Working Group for Climate Justice (TCJ) (Faikham Hannarong), Bangkok, Thailand
- Thap Sakae Conservative Group (Sureerat Taechutrakul), Thailand
- The Women Network for Progress and Peace (Pimtham Auafua), Bangkok, Thailand
- Thiwa Taeng-orn, the Borwin Community Group to Protect Environment from Dowa's Hazardous Waste Protect, Chonburi Province, Thailand
- Three Provinces Network Against Gold Mining in Pichit, Phetchabun and Pisanulok Provinces (Sue-gunya Theerachart-damrong), Thailand
- Tii Trairatanasaengmanee (as an individual), Tambon Nongkob, Amphoe Nongsaeng, Saraburi Province, Thailand
- Vasana Chinvarakorn, freelance writer Bangkok, Thailand
- Walaiporn Mooksuwan (as an individual), Ecological Alert and Recovery - Thailand (EARTH), Nonthaburi, Thailand
- Wang Sapung Gold Mine Monitor (Wachara-porn Wattana-kham), Loei Province, Thailand
- Wanun permpibul (as an individual), Bangkok, Thailand
- AEEFG, La Marsa, Tunisia
- APEDDUB (Dr Najwa Bourawi), Tunisia
- Ellady Muyambi, Secretary General, Uganda Network on Toxic Free Malaria Control (UNETMAC), Kampala, Uganda
- Robert Tumwesigye Baganda, Executive Director, Pro-biodiversity Conservationists in Uganda (PROBICOU), Kampala, Uganda
- Asfara Ahmed, MSc in Environmental Change and Management University of Oxford 2011-2012, UK
- Evan Oktanianus, MSc in Environmental Change and Management University of Oxford 2011-2012, UK
- Kanahaya Alam, Matthew Arnold School student, Oxford, UK
- Laura Canevari, MSc in Environmental Change and Management University of Oxford 2011-2012, UK
- Rhea Cordeiro, MSc in Environmental Change and Management University of Oxford 2011-2012, UK
- Alex Madonik PhD, Senior Scientist, Green Science Policy Institute, Berkeley, California, USA
- Angela Berry, Project Manager California Indian Environmental Alliance (CIEA), USA
- Arlene Blum PhD, Executive Director, Green Science Policy Institute Berkeley California, USA
- Bill Ravanesi MA,MPH, Health Care Without Harm, Boston Regional Director, USA
- Cara Lovell, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- David Lennett, Senior Attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), USA
- Divinia Nolasco Ries, MPH, MS, Ph.D., Toxicologist, MI Department of Environmental Quality, MI, USA
- Erica R. McKenzie, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Davis, USA
- Housatonic Environmental Action League, Inc. (Audrey Cole, President), CT, USA
- Jennifer Federico, Oakland, CA, USA
- Jim Puckett, Executive Director, Basel Action Network., WA, USA
- Jose T. Bravo, Executive Director, Just Transition Alliance, USA
- Joseph DiGangi PhD, Senior Science and Technical Advisor of IPEN, USA
- Judith Robinson, Executive Director, Environmental Health Fund (EHF), USA
- Kathleen A. Curtis, LPN, Executive Director, Clean and Healthy New York (formerly Clean New York), USA
- Mark Rossi, Co-Director, Clean Production Action, USA
- Michael Bender, Mercury Policy Project, VT, USA
- Ned Gray, Ned Gray Photography, MA, USA
- Pamela Miller, Executive Director, Alaska Community Action on Toxics, Alaska, USA
- Rosalyn Driscoll, Haydenville, MA, USA
- SafeMinds (Eric Uram, Executive Director), CA, USA
- Sciencecorps (Kathleen Burns, Ph.D., Director), Lexington, MA, USA
- Susan Egan Keane, Senior Analyst at NRDC in Washington DC, USA
- Ted Smith, Coordinator, International Campaign for Responsible Technology, San Jose, CA USA
- Theo Colborn, PhD President TEDX (The Endocrine Disruption Exchange), USA
- Tim Gray, Ex Director, Housatonic River Initiative, Lenoxdale, Ma, USA
- Tom Lent - Policy Director - Healthy Building Network, CA, USA
- Yuka Takamiya, Basel Action Network, Seattle, WA, USA
- Richard Cellarius, International Vice President, Sierra Club US and Canada
- Fundacion Aguaclara, Venezuela
- ASOPRODEM, Alianza para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos, la ecologia y el Medio Ambiente,
Caracas, Venezuela
- Health Care Without Harm (Joshua Karliner, International Team Coordinator)
Signatories receieved on and after Jan 23, 2012 : 13
- Fatien Karunia Fajarrini, PhD candidate Edith Cowan University, Australia
- Alexander Doukas, MSc Candidate at the University of Oxford, Toronto, Canada
- Stephen Bwete, Student/Intern, Radijojo World Children's Radio Network, Germany
- Thomas Rohlinger, MBA, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Radijojo World Children's Radio Network, Germany
- A. Rara Dewanti, Student of International School, Indonesia
- Daru Setyo Rini, MSi, Biolitik Network Indonesia, Indonesia
- Prayekti, Indonesia Center for Environmental Law, Indonesia
- Teguh Ardi Srianto, Environmental Journalist Community, Indonesia
- Wawan Some, Komunitas Nol Sampah Surabaya, Indonesia
- Mageswari Sangaralingam, Research Officer, Consumers' Association of Penang, Malaysia
- Greenpeace International, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Courtenay Lewis, MSc Environmental Change and Management at the University of Oxford, UK
- 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
|