Lawyers, including Luan Shaohu Issue Call to Disclose the Truth regarding New Oil Pollution in Bohai Bay
On April 16 a Forum on legal issues regarding the Claims and Liabilities for the Bohai Bay Oil Spill by and the Re-authorization of ConocoPhillips China was held in Beijing. More than 50 experts, professors and lawyers attended the Forum, including well-known law professor Huo Weifang, criminal defense lawyer Yang Jinzhu, public interest lawyer Jia Fangyi, environmental rights-safeguarding activist Ma Yong from the China Environment Federation and the Standing Director of ACLA Luan Shaohu etc.
The attendees signed three open letters, respectively to the President of the Supreme People’s Court Zhou Qiang, the Attorney-general of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate Cao Jianming and the Minister of the Ministry of Land and Resources Jiang Daming. These letters raised issues concerning the filing of civil claims, prosecutions of those criminally liable, and measures taken to protect the ecological environment of Bohai Bay.
The Forum re-broadcasted the news “New oil pollution appears in Bohai Bay” broadcast by CCTV in its Morning News program, disclosing that new oil pollution has been found in Bohai Bay adjacent to Shandong and Hebei provinces. The Forum attendees strongly urged the State Oceanic Administration to investigate the new oil pollution and disclose the facts in good faith and in a timely manner.
The Chairman of the Partners’ Meeting of DHH, Mr Luan Shaohu, called on all functionaries, scientific personnel, experts and lawyers to disclose the truth and any facts they knew, either by name or anonymously, in writing or via the media. DHH has set up a specific email box at gongyi@deheng.com to collect relevant information.