France’s parliament has formally recognised state responsibility for the use of the toxic pesticide chlordecone in Martinique and Guadeloupe, marking a significant step in addressing decades of environmental contamination and public health concerns.
The decision follows years of concern over the chemical, which was used on banana plantations from the 1970s until the early 1990s despite restrictions already in place in mainland France.
Chlordecone, a highly toxic insecticide later banned globally under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, has been linked by health authorities, including France’s National Agency for Health Security, to widespread soil and water contamination and an increased risk of cancer, particularly prostate cancer.
Abbas Abbasov, chairman of the Baku Initiative Group, said chlordecone continued to be used in French overseas territories until 1993.
“Unfortunately, this prohibition didn't apply to French overseas territories, where the use of Chlordecone continued until 1993, particularly on banana plants,” he said.
“The government also prohibited the use of Chlordecone in the plantations in Guadeloupe and Martinique, which led to tragic and serious health consequences of local population.”
The new law does not immediately establish a full compensation scheme but sets out a framework for further investigation and potential reparations.
A government inspection mission is expected to visit Martinique and Guadeloupe to assess the extent of the damage and propose compensation mechanisms.
Abbasov also highlighted the role of advocacy and reporting efforts in bringing attention to the issue.
“In this regard, I would like to point out the fact that the French government did not recognise that over the past three years Baku Initiative Group has successfully conducted events, international events dedicated to these matters,” he said.
“And also we published and submitted reports in this regard to the international organisations. And today we can see the real impact of our job done by Baku Initiative Group.”
French authorities have acknowledged that earlier warnings about chlordecone’s risks were not acted upon sufficiently.
However, the scale and structure of potential compensation for affected communities remain under discussion.
The U.S. and Iran have agreed to 'stand down' and resume technical talks, allowing vessels allowed to move freely under the interim peace deal, a U....
Residents of Caracas woke on Monday (29 June) to a magnitude 4.6 aftershock as rescue teams entered a fourth day of intensive search operations follow...
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held a phone call on Monday to discuss bilateral relations, regional deve...
The Czech government has agreed, under pressure from the country's Constitutional Court, to allow President Petr Pavel to attend next week's NATO summ...
With its EU accession talks frozen and its strategic partnership with Washington suspended, Tbilisi has formalised a new alliance with Astana centred ...
Eleven people were killed when a small plane carrying skydivers crashed near Nancy in eastern France on Sunday, local officials said.
France has recorded 1,000 excess deaths during the severe heatwave that swept across Europe, according to the country's public health agency, which warned the final toll is likely to rise.
France said on Saturday it was considering taking reciprocal measures after Burkina Faso broke off diplomatic relations.
A severe heatwave sweeping across Europe has caused widespread disruption, with power outages reported in parts of France, emergency heat alerts issued in the United Kingdom and Spain, and growing pressure on energy and transport systems across the continent.
Fourteen people were killed on Sunday after a helicopter belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco crashed in Ras Tanura, according to Saudi state media.
Rescue teams raced on Sunday to find more survivors of the two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela this week, with signs of life bringing occasional relief to a grim quest to whittle down a list of tens of thousands missing.
Eleven people were killed when a small plane carrying skydivers crashed near Nancy in eastern France on Sunday, local officials said.
The United States and Iran have agreed to halt strikes against each other, in a potential breakthrough after weeks of escalating tensions. The two sides are expected to meet in Doha on Tuesday to address their dispute over the Strait of Hormuz.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the country is going through a “difficult period”, but has learned much from it, according to state news agency TASS.
Japan remained on high alert Saturday as Typhoon Mekkhala approached the eastern coast after Typhoon Higos weakened into a tropical depression. Authorities warned of continued heavy rain, flooding, and landslides, according to media reports.
As Western Europe battles a deadly heatwave that has shattered temperature records, disrupted transport and power supplies, and forced the closure of schools and cultural landmarks, attention is turning to whether El Niño is playing a role in the extreme conditions.
Major technology, telecom, aviation and crypto-related firms have pledged to strengthen cooperation to tackle the illegal wildlife trade according to statements made at a business forum convened by United for Wildlife during London Climate Action Week.
Scientists have identified almost 166,000 square kilometres of coral reefs worldwide that appear capable of surviving and recovering from the impacts of climate change, offering new hope for some of the planet's most vulnerable marine ecosystems.
Australia's weather bureau warned on Tuesday that an El Niño weather pattern has formed in the tropical Pacific and could intensify in the second half of 2026, becoming one of the strongest events recorded in seven decades.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment