The IndependentWHO collective was created by the following organisations:
Enfants de Tchernobyl Bélarus
This association, created in April 2001, provides help to the 500,000 children contaminated by radionuclides in the east and south of Belarus as a result of the disaster at Chernobyl. Most of its financial support goes to “BELRAD“, the Independent Institute for Radioprotection, set up by Professor Vassili Nesterenko.
The founding members of this association : Solange Fernex (1934-2006), Member of the European Parliament from 1989 to 1995 and President of the French section of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) from 1995 to 2003.
Vassili Nesterenko (1934 – 2008), Physicist, specialising in radioprotection; member of the Academy of Sciences in Belarus; Liquidator at Chernobyl; Director of the Institute of Radioprotection “BELRAD” from 1990 to 2008.
Galia Ackerman, journalist and translator of the book “Voices from Chernobyl” by Svetlana Alexievitch.
Wladimir Tchertkoff, journalist (retired) with Swiss Television and author of the book “The Crime de Chernobyl”.
Michel Fernex , doctor (retired); Emeritus Professor at the Faculty of Medicine in Basel; former member of the Committee of Directors of TDR (Special programme for Research into Tropical Diseases) at WHO.
65 quai Mayraud 49400 Saumur – France
http://enfants-tchernobyl-belarus.org
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PSR / IPPNW
PSR/IPPNW is the Swiss section of IPPNW (International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War) based in Boston, USA. IPPNW International was founded in 1980 by the American Bernard Lown and the Russian Evgeni Chasov. The primary objective of IPPNW is worldwide nuclear disarmament, as the best means of preventing not only nuclear war but also the radioactive contamination of the environment that results from the arms race. The Swiss section has always been critical of the civilian use of the atom as a source of energy. It is thanks to a Swiss initiative, with German support, that a resolution was passed at the World Congress of the IPPNW in Melbourne in 1999, acknowledging that the production of nuclear energy causes ecological problems and encourages the proliferation of nuclear weapons. PSR/ IPPNW highlights the fact that the civilian and military uses of nuclear technology are like Siamese twins; the civilian technology is indispensable in the manufacture of bombs.
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PHM – People’s Health Movement
The People’s Health Movement (PHM), founded in 2000, campaigns for Health for All through social and economic justice. It is made up of a loose affiliation of groups and individuals from all over the world who uphold the People’s Health Charter. For the PHM, health is a social, economic and political prerequisite and above all, a fundamental human right. Inequality, poverty, exploitation, violence and injustice are at the root of illness and death among impoverished and marginalised peoples. To achieve Health for All, powerful interests need to be challenged, globalisation must be resisted and political and economic priorities should be radically changed. Fairness, peace and sustainable development that protects the environment, are at the heart of our vision for a better world – a world in which Health for All is a reality. There are easily enough resources to make such objectives attainable.
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CRIIRAD
Created in 1986 following the accident at Chernobyl, the Commission for Research and Independent Information on Radioactivity (CRIIRAD) is an organisation dedicated to the protection of the environment and of people’s health. It has its own laboratory for analysing radioactivity. As a completely independent body, CRIIRAD is in a position to provide citizens with a source of unbiased and reliable information on nuclear energy, and to campaign for the regulation and controls in this area to be observed and improved. It is funded for the most part by its own members and contributors.
471 av. Victor Hugo – 26000 Valence – France
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Réseau Sortir du nucléaire
The “Sortir du nucleaire” network maintains the view held by the majority of public opinion: namely that France should abandon nuclear energy and pursue alternative energy policies (energy conservation, development of renewable energy sources). At the end of 2008 the Network consisted of 915 organisations and 54, 000 members. Having no political affiliation, “Sortir du Nucleaire” is an independent, unsubsidised popular movement, officially recognised for the significant role it plays in the protection of the environment.
9 rue Dumenge – 69317 Lyon cedex 04 – France
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Brut de Béton Production
“Brut de Beton Production” is a theatre and arts company producing work that is thought-provoking and innovative and challenges its audience to reflect on the malaise of society. The company organises plays and events, readings and encounters. The company creates social links through its role as a publisher and supporter of the arts. The company works regularly in Belarus and Ukraine in the zones contaminated by the disaster at Chernobyl. The company has worked for the last thirty years on arts projects with people suffering from mental illness. The authors, actors, musicians and technicians involved in “Brut de Beton Production” explore contemporary art within a social, political and economic framework. Above all, their work is concerned with the struggle for freedom.
25 rue Montlosier – 63000 Clermont-Ferrand – France
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ContrAtom
Founded in 1985, and recognised for its service to the public, this organisation campaigns for the closure of all Swiss and foreign nuclear power stations (the movement “Européens contre Superphénix” originated from ContrAtom) and against nuclear arms, has continued to support the moratorium of 1990 (a freeze on the building of new nuclear power stations) and campaigns for transparency in the activities of CERN.
Case postale 65 – 1211 Genève 8 – Suisse
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Sortir du Nucléaire – Loire et Vilaine
“Sortir du Nucléaire-Loire et Vilaine“ brings together people living in “Loire Atlantique“, South “Morbihan” and South “Ille et Vilaine” (France), jointly known as “Pays de Redon”. This area became known during its lengthy campaign against the proposed construction of the Pellerin nuclear power station (on the Loire), a proposal which was shelved in 1981. The project then resurfaced several years later at a neighbouring site at Carnet, on the estuary. The campaign was relaunched and ended in victory in June 1997. “SDN Loire et Vilaine” devotes itself to informing the public, in particular on the effects of low-dose radiation by ingestion and inhalation, and to opposing WHO policy that protects the interests of the nuclear industry at the expense of people’s health. “SDN Loire et Vilaine” has its own portable exhibition (with covered stand) “ The Legacy of Chernobyl“ .
Mairie – 44460 St Nicolas de Redon – France