The manifestation in Martinique, “Simen Matinik Doubout – Gaoulé Kont Chlordécone” (Stand Up Martinique Week – Revolt Against Chlordécone), is the temporary conclusion of a week of mobilization, according to Philippe Pierre-Charles, unionist and co-organizer.
“We are in the process of internationalizing the struggle with the eventual creation of an international citizen tribunal,” he added. National Secretary of the French Communist Party Fabien Roussel, who was present in the procession, proposed the establishment of an independent institution to compensate the victims of chlordécone.
“Compensation could be financed by a 1% levy on the turnover of the companies responsible for the poisoning,” he suggested. Olivier Besancenot, former presidential candidate of the New Anti-Capitalist Party, also came to Martinique to show his solidarity and emphasized the importance of being physically present.
“The real issue is that the State recognizes its responsibility in this ecocide and genocide, as it has attacked the genes of the people of the Caribbean,” said Théo Lubin, president of the memorial association Comité d’organisation du 10 mai (referring to the day of abolition of slavery in the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean), in Paris.
“The State must take responsibility,” insisted Mathilde Panot, president of the La France insoumise group in the National Assembly, who was present at the Paris gathering. “In Martinique, organizations are demanding a framework law to both repair and clean up the soil and ensure compensation. So, we are here primarily to show support,” she stated.
While acknowledging a “health scandal,” the investigating judges of the health pole of the Paris judicial court issued a non-place ruling in the investigation into the poisoning of the French West Indies with chlordécone, ending a judicial inquiry opened in 2008.
