Campaign Calls for Dissolution of Union Carbide
March 5, 1996
Justice still eludes victims of the Bhopal gas disaster,
according to the Campaign for Justice in Bhopal, a
coalition of health, human rights, environmental and
economic justice organizations founded in the wake of
the 1984 Bhopal disaster. The Campaign is demanding
stronger laws to protect workers, communities and the
environment and hold corporate managers accountable for
wrongdoing.It is calling for Union Carbide Corporation
to be dissolved, and for Union Carbide executives
accused of culpable homicide and grievous harm to be
brought to trial. In 1984, a Union Carbide pesticide
plant in Bhopal, India released more than 40 tons of
lethal methyl-isocyanate gas killing at least 16,000
people.
The Campaign points out that several Union Carbide
executives, including the chairman and chief executive
officer (CEO) at the time of the disaster, Warren
Anderson, stand accused of criminal charges in India
stemming from Bhopal. According to the Campaign, Union
Carbide did virtually nothing to fix serious flaws in
the design and operation of its Bhopal plant, of which
it was aware from past accidents and internal safety
audits. In October 1991, the Supreme Court of India
reinstituted criminal charges, but Carbide executives
refused to appear in court, and to date, neither the
Indian or U.S. governments have forced them to do so.
When Union Carbide finally reached a settlement with the
Indian government in 1991 for claims by those injured
from the Bhopal disaster, it was for a mere US$470
million. This payment, which is being distributed among
more than 600,000 victims and families at the rate of
approximately US$800 per injured person and US$3000 per
death, apparently pleased Wall Street: soon after the
settlement Union Carbide's stock value increased by US$2
per share. In 1994, Union Carbide reported profits of
US$379 million.
In light of the recalcitrance of Union Carbide's
executives and the enormity of the disaster caused by
their corporate practices, the Campaign for Justice in
Bhopal is calling for legal dissolution of Union Carbide
based on the corporate code of New York. Union Carbide
is charted in the state of New York, and the corporate
code allows for dissolving corporations that cause mass
harm. The Campaign is encouraging citizens to contact
the CEO of Union Carbide and the New York State Attorney
General and tell them that it is unacceptable for
companies to leave the U.S. to "ruin the lives of
others."
The Campaign states that Union Carbide's handling of the
Bhopal disaster signals a frightening trend among
transnational companies eager to take advantage of
countries, that do not have the resources to enforce
environmental and safety laws, even where those laws
appear strong on paper. According to the Campaign, in
the context of growing economic globalization, other
corporations have learned from Union Carbide's example
and are transferring plants and jobs to countries
lacking the wherewithal to effectively regulate powerful
corporations.
Meanwhile, victims of the Bhopal disaster continue to
suffer. According to the Campaign, 10 or 15 people die
each month from medical causes related to the
catastrophe, and more than 200,000 residents continue to
suffer from injuries caused by their exposure to methyl-
isocyanate. Although local organizations have requested
information that could potentially aid the injured about
the toxins released, Union Carbide officials have
refused.
Action -- Send letters to:
William Joyce, CEO,
Union Carbide Corporation
39 Old Ridgebury Road
Danbury, CT 06817-0001
State that it is time for Union Carbide to stand trial
in Bhopal's Magistrate's Court for culpable homicide.
Dennis Vacco, Attorney General
N.Y. State Department of Law
120 Broadway
New York, NY 10271
Urge the Attorney General to begin charter revocation
proceedings pursuant to Section 1101 of the Business
Corporation Law, other sections of the state corporate
code and the New York State Constitution.
Contact/Source: Campaign for Justice in Bhopal, c/o
Council on International and Public Affairs, 777 United
Nations Plaza, Suite 3, New York, NY 10017; phone (212)
972-9877; fax (212) 972-9878; email cipany@igc.apc.org.
The Campaign will also send letters to Union Carbide and
the N.Y. Attorney General for you: phone toll free (800)
651-1421.
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