British MPs and members of the European Parliament have signed a letter from south Asian anti-nuclear groups to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressing \u201cdeep concern\u201d over human rights and environmental issues around the controversial Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP), which they argue \u201cviolates\u201d the International Atomic Energy Agency\u2019s safety guidelines.<\/p>\n
The letter, to be handed to the Indian High Commission after a protest planned outside India House on Friday [18 May 2012], also demands withdrawal of police and court cases against anti-KKNPP protesters accusing the security forces of \u201cintimidation\u201d and \u201charassment\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cNon-violent protesters are being intimidated, harassed, imprisoned, and falsely charged. We understand that from one police station alone, charges have been brought against more than 50,000 people including about 6,500 for sedition and \u2018war against the state\u2019 in the last eight months,\u201d it says.<\/p>\n
Signatories include Labour MPs Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell; the Green Party\u2019s Caroline Lucas and its MEP Keith Taylor; and Kate Hudson of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson of the South Asia Solidarity Group said more MPs were expected to sign the letter, a copy of which would also be sent to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.<\/p>\n
Calling for a \u201chalt\u201d to the project, the letter says it is a safety hazard as it is located in \u201ca tsunami- and earthquake-prone region\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is also in violation of the mandatory requirement for construction of fresh water reservoirs which are essential in case of a nuclear accident. This is significant, because fresh water is the only remedy in the event of a nuclear emergency. The primary cause for all major accidents such as at Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukushima was lack of fresh water,\u201d it says.<\/p>\n
It demands that that all reports, reviews and information related to the nuclear plant be \u201c made transparent and accessible to the public\u201d.<\/p>\n
The signatories say that they \u201cfully appreciate\u201d India\u2019s energy needs but argue that security considerations cannot be brushed aside.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe implore that alternative measures be investigated and invested in, rather than resorting to nuclear power plants in ecologically unsound circumstances,\u201d they say.<\/p>\n