U.S. Statement on the
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Implications for
Human Rights of the Environmentally Sound Management and Disposal of Hazardous Substances and Wastes,
Calin Georgescou, on his Mission to the Republic of the Marshall Islands, March 26 to March 29, 2012 (A/HRC/21/48/Add.1)
As a country of concern, the United States was pleased to respond to the report of Spcial Rapporteur Georgescou’s mission to the Republic of the Marshall Islands in March 2012, during the Human Rights Council’s interactive dialogue with Mr. Georgescou on September 13, 2012.
The United States welcomed the visit to the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) on March 27-30, 2012 and to the United States on April 24-27, 2012 by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Implications for Human Rights of the Environmentally Sound Management and Disposal of Hazardous Substances and Wastes, Mr. Calin Georgescu. We cooperated with the visit of the Special Rapporteur by providing information, answering questions and requests, and arranging meetings for him with experts and scientists throughout the U.S. government.
The United States acknowledges the negative effects of our nuclear testing program and has accepted, and acted on, our responsibility to the people of the Marshall Islands. As part of the 1986 Compact of Free Association, the United States and the Marshall Islands agreed to a “full and final settlement” of all claims related to the nuclear testing. To date, the U.S. government has provided over $600 million for direct financial settlement of nuclear claims, resettlement funds, rehabilitation of affected atolls, and radiation-related health care costs. The United States continues to support the Marshall Islands by providing radiation-related health care services and continued monitoring and environmental assessments on the affected atolls.
The United States is committed to a continuing dialogue and cooperation with the Marshallese people and their government on this important issue.