Press release from Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Asia and the Pacific: make Bayer accountable for deaths of Peruvian children.

• Position: Biodevastation

June 24/Penang. Pesticide Action Network Asian and the Pacific has called on UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, to demand that German agro-chemical corporation, Bayer AG, assumes responsibility for the fatal poisonings of 24 children in Peru in 1999. The call comes on the occasion of the "Global Compact Leaders Summit" at United Nations headquarters in New York, which discusses better corporate practices in human rights, labor and the environment.

Similar letters of concern were issued from PAN regional centers in the US, UK, Germany, Chile and Senegal, as well as PAN partners globally. The letters were in support of an appeal for justice from families of the deceased children.

"We are seriously concerned about the corporate links forged between the UN agencies and multinational companies, especially companies like Bayer" comments PAN AP executive director, Sarojeni V. Rengam. "It is also sadly ironic that our calls for justice for the children and community of Tauccamarca comes at the time when the United Nations Environment Programme announced a yearly partnership with Bayer AG to support the agency's global strategy to involve young people in environmental issues." Asserts Rengam, "to add insult to injury the partnership is set to unfold over a six-year period, with activities and events that includes the annual 'Tunza' international conferences for children and youth!" "Tunza" is a Kiswahili word meaning to 'treat with care or affection,' and the initiative aims to engage young people in UNEP's work, increasing their participation in sustainable development issues.

Small farmers from the community of Tauccamarca en Cuzco, Peru, lost 24 of their sons and daughters (children of school age), when they were accidentally poisoned by an organophosphate pesticide called "Folidol," that is, ethyl or methyl parathion in October 22, 1999. Since 1999, the villagers of Tauccamarca have sought justice in the courts of Cuzco and Lima, demanding that the Peruvian government and the company Bayer, be held accountable and responsible for the tragic deaths of the children.

"We believe that not only the legal system of our country, but also respected institutions like the United Nations that work hand in hand with companies like Bayer to encourage them to improve their practices in countries of the south like Peru, should demand that the company that is legally responsible for the poison that killed our children assume its responsibilities. The fact that we...