Because the World Health Organization (WHO) fails in its duty to protect those populations affected by radioactive contamination, a “Vigil” was held in front of WHO headquarters in Geneva from 26 April 2007 until 26 April 2017. Every working day, between 8am and 6pm, a relay of members of the “IndependentWHO – Health and Nuclear” collective demanded that WHO should assume its responsibilities, independently of the nuclear establishment.
These silent demonstrators were also demanding that the truth be told about the short-term and long-term health damage suffered by all the victims of radioactivity, including those resulting from atmospheric military nuclear tests and the civil disasters of Chernobyl and Fukushima.
At the end of 10 years of protest, with the official denial remaining unchanged in spite of all the testimonies of the victims and the independent scientific publications that prove the reality of the situation, IndependentWHO has now decided to continue its struggle in other forms: making use of what has been achieved and learned during these 10 years of struggle and passing that on to those who consider that this fight for truth and health remains essential. On the occasion of this last day, a “Mass Vigil” was organized, attended by a hundred people. A commemorative stele was unveiled and a copy of the English version of Wladimir Tchertkoff’s book “The Crime of Chernobyl – the Nuclear Gulag” was handed to the WHO for the attention of its director, Margaret Chan.
Mass Vigil outside WHO headquarters on April 26, 2017
“Die-in” at the site of the Vigil at the Morillons crossroads on April 26, 2017
Commemorative stele
IndependentWHO members taking part in this last Vigil in Geneva
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End of the Vigil in Paris
In Paris, about 20 people attended the final Vigil at the Ministry of Health on 5th May 2017. Throughout the afternoon, texts were read, including articles and testimonies of victims of radioactivity from nuclear tests, from the Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters and discharges from power stations that are still in operation, and there were many exchanges with passers-by.
Last Vigil at the Ministry of Health in Paris on 5th May 2017
Reading of testimonies from victims of radioactivity outside the Ministry of Health on 5th May 2017