Paris: Hundreds of people joined a protest at the Place de la Bastille in Paris on June 20, calling for justice and compensation for victims of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, as well as victims of chlordecone pesticide contamination in the French overseas territories of Guadeloupe and Martinique. The event was jointly organised by Collectif Vietnam Dioxine and the Diasporas in Solidarity with the Victims of Colonial Poisoning (DSAVEC).
According to Vietnam News Agency, the demonstration aimed to raise awareness of the long-lasting effects of these toxic substances and to demand accountability and reparations for those affected. The protesters highlighted the health and environmental damages caused by these chemicals, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive response from both the French and international communities.
The organisers, Collectif Vietnam Dioxine and DSAVEC, have been actively campaigning for years, urging governments and corporations to acknowledge their roles in the contamination and to provide necessary support to the victims. They argue that the affected communities continue to suffer from various health issues and environmental degradation, which require immediate and sustained intervention.
The protest at Place de la Bastille served as a platform for victims and their supporters to voice their grievances and to call for international solidarity in addressing these historical injustices. The event was part of a broader movement to ensure that those who have suffered from these toxic legacies receive the justice and compensation they deserve.