Nuclear tests in Polynesia: the bet of transparency
"This is very good news," said Jean-Paul Teissonnière, a lawyer in France for the victims of nuclear tests, about the likely lifting of defence secrecy on 58 documents relating to the radiology measures of nuclear fire. "Once studied, these data should make it possible to better determine what the consequences of the trials in Polynesia were," he said in a statement to the daily Le Parisien/Today in France.
The Morin Act of 5 January 2010, on the recognition and compensation of victims of French nuclear tests, compensates:
"Any person suffering from a radio-induced disease resulting from exposure to ionizing radiation due to French nuclear tests and placed on a list set by decree in the Council of State in accordance with the work recognized by the international scientific community may obtain full compensation for its damage under the conditions provided for by this law. If the person has died, the claim for compensation can be made by his or her rights holders."
Indeed, nearly 150,000 civilians and military personnel participated, directly or not, in the 210 French tests conducted in the Algerian Sahara and Polynesia between 1960 and 1996. Nuclear tests during this period are the cause of many cancers (thyroid, lungs, breasts) contracted by veterans.
The Association of Veterans of French Nuclear Tests (AVEN) and the association Moruroa e Tatou have been calling for this transparency for years. In fact, in 2004, the Public Health Unit of the Paris court opened an investigation for "involuntary manslaughter, injury to physical integrity and administration of a harmful substance" following a complaint by AVEN.
Legislation removes mask
"Despite a 2010 administrative tribunal decision requiring the government of the day to refer the commission, he had always refused to do so. In October, Jean-Yves Le Drian, the new defence minister, finally agreed to refer the matter to the commission, with the result that we know," the lawyer said.
"Once we have received the documents, we will pass them on to the investigating judge in charge of the investigation," Mr. Teissonnière said.
The Morin Act of 5 January 2010, on the recognition and compensation of victims of French nuclear tests, compensates:
"Any person suffering from a radio-induced disease resulting from exposure to ionizing radiation due to French nuclear tests and placed on a list set by decree in the Council of State in accordance with the work recognized by the international scientific community may obtain full compensation for its damage under the conditions provided for by this law. If the person has died, the claim for compensation can be made by his or her rights holders."
Indeed, nearly 150,000 civilians and military personnel participated, directly or not, in the 210 French tests conducted in the Algerian Sahara and Polynesia between 1960 and 1996. Nuclear tests during this period are the cause of many cancers (thyroid, lungs, breasts) contracted by veterans.
The Association of Veterans of French Nuclear Tests (AVEN) and the association Moruroa e Tatou have been calling for this transparency for years. In fact, in 2004, the Public Health Unit of the Paris court opened an investigation for "involuntary manslaughter, injury to physical integrity and administration of a harmful substance" following a complaint by AVEN.
Legislation removes mask
"Despite a 2010 administrative tribunal decision requiring the government of the day to refer the commission, he had always refused to do so. In October, Jean-Yves Le Drian, the new defence minister, finally agreed to refer the matter to the commission, with the result that we know," the lawyer said.
"Once we have received the documents, we will pass them on to the investigating judge in charge of the investigation," Mr. Teissonnière said.