Vietnamese Activists Urge Action on Formosa Plastics Disaster

On September 22, 2024, the International Monitor Formosa Plastics Alliance (IMFPA) sent a letter to Mr. Tô Lâm, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, ahead of his participation in the UN Summit in New York. The letter urges the Vietnamese government to take action for the victims of the 2016 environmental disaster caused by Formosa Ha Tinh Corporation, a subsidiary of Formosa Plastics.

The disaster devastated the coastal communities of Central Vietnam, poisoning the water, killing fish stocks, and crippling the local fishing industry. Though Formosa promised compensation, many victims have yet to see any real support. Thousands of legal claims were dismissed, and those who spoke out faced imprisonment.

IMFPA is calling on Vietnam to end retaliation, allow independent environmental surveys, and release imprisoned activists. Recent releases of prisoners of conscience give hope for reform, but more needs to be done to achieve justice for the victims and ensure long-term environmental protection.

Read the full letter [attached here].