PHA-Exchange> WHO accused of non assistance to population in danger

[Claudio Schuftan]

 *From:* André Larivi è re [mailto:andre.lariviere at sortirdunucleaire.fr ]

Press release 20 September 2007

The campaign « For an Independent WHO » has maintained a permanent presence
at the entrance of the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, for nearly
six months now.

Since 26 April 2007, one or two people stand in front of WHO from 8 till 6,
Monday to Friday. On a large panel next to them is written "One million
children in the area around Chernobyl, contaminated, ill, ignored by WHO".

Many WHO employees and staff of other international organisations, curious
about the action and the nature of the « crime » visit the people of the
"permanent presence". They have been astounded to discover the reasons
behind WHO's neglect of the health conditions of affected populations.

Insiders report that the campaign is a source of considerable interest and
some anxiety for WHO's senior staff . The truth about the cover up is likely
to be revealed soon thanks partly to the false claim by a WHO spokesperson
that the proceedings of the international consultation held in Geneva in
1995 and Kiev in 2001, on the health consequences of the accident, were duly
published.

The aim of this unprecedented action is to ensure that WHO recovers complete
freedom of action, in line with its constitutional mandate, in relation to
care and protection of affected populations. The campaign condemns the
subordination of WHO to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in
research on radiation and health. According to the little known Agreement
signed in 1959, WHO recognises that the objective of the IAEA is "to
accelerate and enlarge the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health
and prosperity throughout the world". The IAEA is thus judge and jury in
relation to the health risks of nuclear activities.

As a result of this agreement, WHO still claims today, 21 years after the
Chernobyl catastrophe, that there have been only 56 victims. Between 600 000
and one million « liquidators » saved Europe by extinguishing the fire and
constructing the sarcophagus. Many of these men suffer and die in atrocious
circumstances. The same cover up operates in relation to the health effects
of depleted uranium 238 in weapons used in Kosovo, Kuwait, Afghanistan and
Irak.

Since the existence of this agreement and its effects on WHO's work were
discovered, the director general's office has received many petitions and
letters. In 2001, the Swiss Minister of Health, Ruth Dreifuss, supported by
the Ministers of Health of Norway and Canada, requested that the matter be
placed on the agenda of the World Health Assembly. No opposition was
expressed. Despite this, the agreement has still not been put in question.

Next steps of the Campaign

Around forty people attended the General Assembly of the group «Independent
WHO» held in Geneva, 15/16 September. Four decisions were taken:

1. The permanent presence will continue until WHO recovers complete
independence in line with its constitution: "to act as the directing and
coordinating authority on international health work, to promote and conduct
research in the field of health, to provide information, counsel and
assistance in the field of health, and to assist in developing an informed
public opinion among all people on matters of health (Article 2a, n, q and
r) in relation to protection of populations subjected to nuclear risks, in
particular in the territories around Chernobyl.

2. The group will organize a series of activities to commemorate the 22nd
anniversary of the Chernobyl catastrophe on 26 April 2008 and at the World
Health Assembly in May 2008.

3. A resolution will be proposed in January at the Executive Board for
inclusion on the agenda of the World Health Assembly in May 2008. The
resolution will demand revisions to the 1959 WHO/IAEA Agreement, care and
protection of populations contaminated by the Chernobyl catastrophe, and the
establishment of a Commission of independent experts on ionising radiation
and the effects of chronic, internal, low dose radiation on the genome and
on health. This Commission must include all studies undertaken by
independent researchers who will report their results at the 2009 World
Health Assembly.

4. An International Appeal by Health Professionals to the WHO will be
launched by the group. This Appeal will request that the WHO undertake
independent research in the national territories concerned, in particular
the three countries most affected by the Chernobyl catastrophe – Ukraine,
the Russian Federation and Belarus – to study radiocontamination and its
effects on population health and to communicate the results to the newly
established Commission of independent experts on radiation and health.

Photographs and more detailed information are available on :
http://independentwho.info/
info at independentwho.info


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