On October 24
th, Eric Jonckheere finally saw the trial against the mighty industrial family Emsens, more precise, against one of their companies,
Eternit, appear.
Eric's mother started the procedure before her death in 2000 (sic) and after many postponements, the case finally appeared before court. Eternit has been producing asbestos since the late 1940's.
Eric's father was active as an engineer at Eternit, and as such, had been exposed many years to asbestos.
Although many countries have forbidden the production of asbestos since the 1950's, Eternit was able to continue its production and to keep on contaminating the regio as well as exposing it's employed.
Father Jonckheere passed away in the late 1980's, due to mesothelioma, directly caused by exposure to asbestos.
The court will make a decision on November 28
th meanwhile, the company's juridical expert has pleeded the role of asbestos hasn't been clear for a period of time and claims that Eternit is free of any possible infliction on the health of its former employed as well as on that of people living in the neighbourhood of the plant.
But it gets even sicker!
When asbestos had been forbidden, finally, and the role of asbestos in various forms of cancer had been proven, the gouvernment, with the family Emsens, set up a funds,
Asbestfonds, which has no English page, unfortunately, or conveniently?
However, when one addresses this funds, one also resigns of any legal prosecution!
Secondly, this funds is paid for by every taxpayer and company, regardless their involvement!!
You're reading this correctly, the company causing the problem has been protected by the gouvernment for prosecution ( once the funds get addressed ) and for full financial liability.
Sick, you say?
In 2005, the chief of clan, Stanislas Emsens receives a visit from the royal palace.
No other than the crown prince comes to congratulate the family with the 100 year existence of the plants and the newly ennoblement.
Stanislas had been ennobled baron.
For killing several hundreds of people!
I need more coffee!