Good news for Bangla`s arsenic affected
victims of arsenic poisoning in Bangladesh exuded optimism as proceedings of the case against the British Geological Survey (bgs) got underway in the uk recently. The case was filed in the year 2002 and has come up for hearing in the High Court in London (see: "Not testing the waters", November 30, 2002).
Binod Sutradhar and Lucky Begum, residents of Bangladesh's Brahmanbaria region, had hauled bgs to court. They contended that in 1992 bgs did not test for arsenic in the waters of wells dug under projects of international agencies. These projects were conducted during the period 1983 to 1992. The venture was funded by the United Nations Children's Fund (unicef) and World Bank among others.
This case could set an important precedent that might enable many more arsenic victims in Bangladesh to get justice. "We hope it will force international bodies to follow international standards when they work in developing countries,' says Sharmin Murshid, chief executive officer of Brotee, a Bangladesh-based non-profit organisation. Murshid feels that if the plaintiffs win the case, the compensation so awarded would cover treatment costs as well as help them locate other sources of safe water.
"The judgement is likely to be given towards the end of April,' reveals Boz Michalowska of Leigh, Day & Co