Vietnam Court Rejects 506 Petitions against Taiwan-invested Formosa

A court in Vietnam’s central province of Ha Tinh has rejected 506 petitions which local people filed to ask Taiwan-invested Formosa Hung Nghiep Ha Tinh Steel Corp to compensate for damages they have been suffering, state media reported, citing a local court official. Nguyen Van Thang, chief justice of Ha Tinh People’s Court, said at a press briefing on Oct 8 that Ky Anh Town People’s Court returned all 506 petitions three days ago due to “lack of evidences”. He said that the petitions failed to show evidences proving their damages, adding that the return is “based on Article 189 in the Civil Code” and “in accordance with laws.” Of the total 506 petitions, 296 sued Formosa for damages in catching, 137 asked for recompense in salt farming, 68 sued the company against aquaculture, and two relating to onshore seafood business. Locals submitted their petitions on Sept 27 with the support of hundreds of other residents. The pollution, which was caused by the release of untreated toxic waste into the sea by Formosa, becomes the nation’s worst environmental disaster, devastating the regional fishing and tourism industries. Formosa admitted to poison the sea and compensated $500 million to cover short-term consequences. But the amount is trivial to cover damage which is believed to last for generations as local experts said. After the environmental disaster which triggers public indignation, top leaders, including President Tran Dai Quang, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and Parliament Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan affirmed that the country will continue giving a close watch on the Taiwanese company and will close it if recurrence found. (News.zing.vn Oct 8, VnExpress.net Oct 9)