Eternit Trial Update: Billionaire’s Deal Proposal Sparks Outrage

[Asbestos Victims Families Casale]

We were joined by people from around the world last night in remembrance of those who have or are currently battling mesothelioma, such as those most closely affected by the Eternit Trial in Italy.

The Eternit criminal trial charges executives of the asbestos cement enterprise with the willful failure to protect their employees and factory neighbors, resulting in thousands of workers’ and everyday citizens’ deaths from asbestos exposure in the decades since. As a landmark international case for the first time threatening to put asbestos executives in jail, the trial has criminal and policy implications for numerous countries around the world. ADAO has been following the case from its inception and, thanks to the amazing journalism of Silvana Mossano, is able to share it with you.

As noted below, most recently, Italy’s Minister of Health and other officials stepped in to assist the mayor and town council in resolving the public outrage that sparked from a deal proposed to local authorities by the accused Swiss billionaire, Stephan Schmidheiny.

Several meetings took place over the holidays, but Casale Monferrato’s local authorities have not yet decided whether or not they will accept Schmidheiny’s proposal. For more information on the trial, see AFEVA’s Jan 3 Press Release.

ADAO supports the hard work of its ban-asbestos counterparts in Italy and is especially pleased to recognize the Associazione Famigliari Vittime Amianto (AFEVA) as an honoree at the 8th Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference for their ongoing work with the Eternit trail and many other critical causes.

Linda Reinstein