April 24-27: Denying responsibility
Formosa refuses to take responsibility for the disaster.
The government argues that the causes of the environmental disaster could have been natural.
April 28 - May 1: The civil society protests
First protest in Quang Binh marked the beginning of multiple marches and protests in which thousands of people in Vietnam called for a clean environment, government transparency and the disengagement of Formosa.
Bigger demonstrations take place in Hanoi and Saigon on May 1st.
May - June: Ongoing violations of human rights.
The UN expresses concern regarding human rights violations. People denounce violations of their rights to: Freedom of expression / Adequate compensation and legal remedies / Freedom of association / Access to independent judges and courts
July - September: The legal battle
The Committee for Justice and Peace, catholic priests, and parishioners from Vinh Diocese Working Group (VDWG), submitted petitions to state agents. These appeals have not been answered.
Hundreds of affected individuals issued lawsuits against Formosa, demanding that the environment degradation is addressed and compensation provided to the victims. Local courts have refused to hear lawsuits.
2017: Human Rights Defenders at Risk
Hundreds of people continue to march, protest, and file lawsuits against Formosa. Reverend Nguyen Dinh Thuc, a leader of one of the marches, was physically attacked. Individuals denouncing the lack of transparency by the government have been criminalized.
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Credits:
1. Ben Brophy; dead fish; August 22, 2009; (CC BY 2.0). 2. Darla Hueske; small fish washed ashore; December 24, 2009; (CC BY-ND 2.0). 3. Gin The Wanderer; IMG_9987; September 4, 2014; (CC BY 2.0). 4. David Bacon; Vietnam; December 5, 2008; (CC BY 2.0). 5. RedCheese; Street market; May 26, 2018; (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0). 6. United Nations Photo; Urban view: traffic in Hanoi; June 29, 2011; (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0). 7. United Nations Photo; Woman makes biomass briguettes in Hanoi; June 29, 2011; (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0).