Japan’s Nikkei Asia newspaper said the same day the congress is an important political event of Việt Nam as it takes place at a time when the country looks to leverage its economic advantage as one of the few countries that expanded gross domestic product in 2020, up 2.9 per cent thanks to efficient handling of the coronavirus pandemic. … [Read more...] about 13th National Party Congress makes international headlines
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French media highlight “historic trial” of lawsuit against US AO/Dioxin producers
Supported by many associations, Nga hopes that the trial will set a precedent and foster international recognition of the crime of ecocide, Nouvel Observateur said in its article headlined “Agent Orange: Tran To Nga’s historic trial against the agrochemical industry”. In France, it could help victims of chlordecone in the West Indies and even glyphosate, it noted. If Nga wins, the case would indeed recognise the responsibility of these major firms in harming human life and the environment, the newspaper added. Liberation, meanwhile, quoted Dow Chemical’s own words as saying Agent Orange is extremely powerful with an “exceptional toxicity”. The defoliant was at the heart of the largest chemical warfare programme in the 20th century, conducted by the US not only in Vietnam but also in neighbouring Laos and Cambodia. Its lasting effects are still being felt today. Franceinfo called Nga “an old lady” who moves slowly, but behind the … [Read more...] about French media highlight “historic trial” of lawsuit against US AO/Dioxin producers
German media highlight Vietnamese-French woman’s fight for AO victims
Deutschlandfunk, a public-broadcasting radio station, on January 26 run an article on the trial, which opened in France on January 25, on Nga’s lawsuit against the US companies for producing and selling highly toxic chemicals used by US armed forces from 1961-1971 which caused severe health damage to Nga and millions of other victims The companies must be held responsible, the radio quoted Nga as saying prior to the trial. Nga, who suffers from heart disease, is not only fighting for herself but also for her children and millions of AO victims in Vietnam. She filed the lawsuit six years ago and has received support from various non-governmental organisations. Running an article headlined “One for all against the chemical giants”, the Der Spiegel news website said the lawsuit could be a major result for AO victims. The herbicide was used by US forces as part of Operation Ranch Hand from 1962. A total of around 80 million litres of defoliant are said to have been … [Read more...] about German media highlight Vietnamese-French woman’s fight for AO victims