Activists: French Compensation for Nuclear Test Victims a Lie

France’s commission in charge of compensating victims of nuclear tests has only recognized one claim out of 14 cases filed treated, so far.

Such developments have provoked the indignation of activists and organizations defending the rights of nuclear tests’ victims, including the Truth and Justice Commission, headed by Patrice Bouveret, whose pressure on the French government led to for the first time to compensate victims in Algeria and the South Pacific.

In fact, a couple of weeks ago, the French Embassy in Algeria said it had received 47 claims of compensation filed by Algerian victims of French nuclear tests conducted in Algeria’s Sahara between 1960 and 1966. 

Yet, experts ascertain that there are about 40 thousands Algerians who are considered victims of the French nuclear tests, as many of them are suffering from cancer. More than this, even those who were born after 1966 have been sickened by nuclear radiation exposure. 

The French commission has not responded yet to any of claims of compensation filed by Algerian victims, activists said. 

Two years ago, France recognised for the first time that its nuclear tests weren’t clean. 

France government has set aside some 10 million Euros for the compensation, and which would be shared among the supposed victims.

Head of French Truth and Justice Commission, Ptrice Bouveret told Echoriouk reporter that the French law stipulates beyond reach conditions to recognize compensation claims.