(VOVworld) – 52 years have passed since US troops sprayed thousands of tons of Agent Orange/dioxin on Vietnam, causing long-lasting, devastating damage to people’s health and the environment. Over the past 10 years, the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin has pursued a lawsuit against 37 American companies that produced the defoliant to gain justice for Vietnamese Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin victims and compensate their suffering. To observe the Day for Vietnamese Victims of Agent Orange/ Dioxin, here’s a report by Luu Huyen entitled “A tireless struggle to claim justice for Vietnamese Agent Orange/Dioxin”.
Father is taking care of his son, an AO victim |
Vietnam has over 3 million people affected by one or several diseases caused by the toxic chemical dioxin and thousands of children born with congenital deformities. Obstetrician Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong, who has worked for more than 40 years in Tu Du, one of the biggest hospitals in Ho Chi Minh city, said she saw the first deformed children in 1965. The deformities included children with no brain, no face, no eyes, no arms, or no legs, and conjoined twins. The images obsessed her and motivated her and her colleagues to research the relation between the deformities and AO-dioxin and other toxic chemicals and to join the Agent Orange/Dioxin victims in their lawsuit.
They have presented their research results at international medical conferences since 1987. Dr. Phuong has attended two hearings of the US House of Representatives and has given presentations at universities on AO consequences in Vietnam. She says: “A lecturer at Washington University told me that he was ashamed for what the American government had done to harm the Vietnamese people. He wanted to know what they should do now to redeem the fault. American people support us. Former American veterans have sued the chemical companies and they supported our lawsuit.”
Law Professor Luu Van Dat a member of the International Association of Democratic Lawyers, was involved in the AO lawsuit since the beginning. He explained that while there is strong evidence of AO/Dioxin’s harmful effect, it’s not easy to force American chemical companies to compensate Vietnamese victims. The case has been drawn out because it relates to the war in Vietnam and US responsibility. It’s complicated and unprecedented and the defendants are powerful. But Vietnam has the advantage that many good lawyers are willing to contribute their time free of charge. Lawyer Dat says: “As long as justice is not done, the struggle will continue. I predict that there will be more civil lawsuits filed by Vietnamese AO victims. We are advancing to victory and I hope in the near future the court gives its ruling or American chemical companies will understand the issue and agree to talk with the Vietnamese side to settle the issue out of court.”
The lawsuit has received wide support from the world community. As early as 1967-1968, American scientists reported to their President that Agent Orange contains dioxin. International non-governmental organizations issued a resolution opposing the use of AO in Vietnam and calling on the government and chemical companies to compensate the victims. The Committee for the Protection of World Peace declared August 10th the “Day for Vietnamese AO/Dioxin victims”. More than 40 Communist Parties worldwide have issued resolutions asking the American government to take responsibility for Vietnamese AO victims. General Nguyen Van Rinh, President of the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin, believes that through the tireless effort of supporters around the world, Vietnamese AO/dioxin victims will ultimately obtain justice. “Our primary target is to pursue the lawsuit to claim justice and fairness. As American and South Korean AO victims were compensated, the American government and chemical companies have to do the same for Vietnamese AO victims. Second, we want the American government and chemical companies to decontaminate the environment. Third, chemical companies must provide humanitarian aids to Vietnamese AO victims.”
AO/Dioxin has harmed the 3rd and 4th generation of many families. Until justice is done, supporters of the lawsuit will continue to fight.
Luu Huyen/ Bui Hang