5 Nov 2013

French goverment asked to review nuclear compensation law

10:06 pm on 5 November 2013

The French government has been asked to report about how it applies the decree compensating victims of nuclear weapons tests.

The issue was raised by a French Polynesian member of the National Assembly in an amendment.

Walter Zweifel reports.

"Edouard Fritch says the compensation law adopted in 2010 fails to help those it is supposed to assist. France carried out 41 atmospheric nuclear weapons tests in Moruroa between 1966 and 1974, and continued with underground blasts until 1996. Mr Fritch says only 12 people have had their claims recognised out of more than 700 filed, while an estimated 80,000 people are affected. Criticism of the law has been widespread and Mr Fritch is now asking for a report about its application with a view to changing it."