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LCHR asks the Egyptian Government Who will protect the Egyptian people from pollution?
LCHR received complaints from the people in Gihan area – Kafr El Sheikh governorate stating that there are around 23 thousand tons of rotten wheat in this area because of the bad weather conditions, which have attracted a huge number of rodents, rats and insects threatening the health and lives of the people in the area. The people say that the malodor and stench along with all these insects and rats deprive the people and their children of sleep. The people state that the rain and sewage water that have led to the fermentation of the wheat have also led to spreading the malaria disease among the people.
The General Prosecution has issued a decision to execute this amount of decayed wheat, but the Ministries of Agriculture and Interior, the supply and food bureau of investigation and the rodent fighting corporation have formed a committee that has decided that transporting this large amount of decayed wheat will lead to polluting the environment and spreading the disease all over the city. The committee stated that burning the wheat would cost the governorate more than 300 thousand Pounds in addition to the negative effects on people’s health, and it has recommended one of the following options:
Sell this large amount of decayed wheat for industrial purposes (organic fertilizers, white glue … etc) under the supervision of a specialized committee from the Ministries of Health, Supply and Interior.
Implement the decision of the General Prosecution by burning this amount of decayed wheat. But since there is no pyre in Kafr El Sheikh, this amount of wheat must be transported and burnt in the nearest uncovered pyre according to the environmental laws no. 38 for the year 1967 and no. 4 for the year 1994, which is located in El Saf city – Giza governorate.
The people state that till today, no of these recommendations were implemented, and the LCHR asserts that this is a clear violation to the environmental laws and the public health, as these authorities claim that they are waiting for a final decision, while it could be enough for a committee subordinate to the Prime Minister to visit the area to find out that the whole city is threatened with the spread of epidemic diseases.
The LCHR presents the complaints of these people to the Egyptian government to execute these amounts of decayed wheat to protect people’s health and the environment in this city. LCHR also adjures all civil society organizations to unite in solidarity with the people in Gihan area, supporting their right to live in a healthy and clean environment that protects their children from epidemic diseases.
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