Agent Orange victims continue to sue US chemical companies

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Rinh, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange, said that dioxin victims born in peacetime are completing preparations to sue American chemical companies. Lawyers say this lawsuit has many advantages.

- Sir, why don't we continue to pursue the previous case but instead file a new case?

- The first lawsuit was dismissed by the US Supreme Court, if it continues to be pursued, they will certainly not handle it. The dismissal of the lawsuit is unfair and a violation of human rights. Currently, US veterans receive Agent Orange benefits, and each year the US spends billions of dollars on this (about 13.5 billion USD in 2010), but our victims are not cared for at all. They trample on people but do not take responsibility for it. Not only Agent Orange victims in Vietnam, but also victims in Japan, veterans in Korea...

Determined to seek justice, we are studying American law, asking for advice from good lawyers around the world, including American lawyers, on how to proceed with the new lawsuit. Currently, the research results have been opened, the lawsuit is about to begin.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Rinh said he is very confident in the victory of the second lawsuit. Photo: Hoang Thuy

- Who are the plaintiffs in the second lawsuit?

- In the first lawsuit, our plaintiffs were veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange. In this new lawsuit, the plaintiffs will be civilians who have never known war, were born in peacetime but are still affected by Agent Orange, causing disabilities and disfigurement.

This is a civil lawsuit by a few plaintiffs, not a class action. Individuals will hire lawyers to file the lawsuit. These victims are members of the Association, so we will provide them with legal assistance and raise money so they can pursue the lawsuit.

- When deciding to file a lawsuit, did the Association and the victims anticipate all the difficulties they would encounter?

- It is certainly difficult and there is no need to discuss much. However, the preparation process is being done very carefully. We will ask American lawyers (including public and private law) to advise us.

Currently, there are many lawyers who are volunteering to help us with the lawsuit. There have been many meetings between the parties in Vietnam and the US. We took them to meet many plaintiffs. After researching, analyzing and collecting evidence, they said that the possibility of winning this case is very high.

- The lawyers are confident, so how does the Association evaluate the possibility of winning the case?

- We are also very confident and hopeful that through court proceedings or outside agreements, American chemical companies will have to compensate Vietnamese dioxin victims. A living proof is that American veterans have previously sued these chemical companies and they have received 180 million USD in compensation.

But in case of worst case scenario, even if we don't win, we will continue with other lawsuits.

According to VnExpress