Monsanto needs to be responsible for AO recovery: Spokesperson
Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang has stated that the US companies and Monsanto in particular need to hold responsibility for assisting efforts to recover from Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin.
At the International Monsanto Tribunal's hearing on April 20 (Source: AFP/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – ForeignMinistry’s spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang has stated that the US companies andMonsanto in particular need to hold responsibility for assisting efforts torecover from Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin consequences in Vietnam.
She made the statement during aregular press conference in Hanoi on April 20 in reply to reporters’ queriesabout Vietnam’s response to the International Monsanto Tribunal’s conclusionthat Monsanto destroyed the ecosystem and caused losses to the Vietnamesepeople during the war.
Vietnam welcomes the InternationalMonsanto Tribunal’s ruling on April 18, she said, adding that Monsanto’senvironment destruction constitutes objectively the severe war consequences inVietnam, especially due to the impact of the AO sprayed by the US troops.
The spokeswoman asked Monsanto to respectthe tribunal’s consultation recommendations and soon take practical actions todeal with the consequences left over by AO/dioxin.
Hangalso spoke highly of the US government, parliament and people for their recent activemoves to aid the settlement of war aftermaths in Vietnam, including the AO.
The Monsanto Tribunal has found Monsanto – an US multinational chemical firm –is guilty of ecocide, which has left long-term consequences on the ecosystem ofvarious nations, including Vietnam.
Theconclusion was delivered by five international judges in The Hague, theNetherlands, on April 18 after six months of investigation and two days oftestimony.
Oncebeing among producers of Agent Orange/dioxin for the US army during wartime inVietnam, the biotech giant now produces pesticides and genetically modifiedplants.
Thejudges said Monsanto has engaged in practices which have negatively impactedthe human rights to a healthy environment, food and health.
Convenedby civil society groups, the tribunal's findings are not legally binding.
However,Judge Françoise Tulkens, chair of the Monsanto Tribunal, said the conclusionwas drawn based on acknowledged reports and evidence.
Victimsof toxic chemicals and corporate power can use the conclusions in theirliability cases against Monsanto and similar companies, according to the judge.
Thefindings will be submitted to the United Nations, UN Human Rights Committee,International Criminal Court, and Monsanto.-VNA
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At the International Monsanto Tribunal's hearing on April 20 (Source: AFP/VNA) 
