Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

French Polynesian Court rules in favour of nuclear test veteran’s children

Posted at 22:11 on 25 June, 2009 UTC

A French Polynesian court has ruled in favour of three children of a deceased nuclear weapons test veteran who sought compensation for the effects of the tests.

The court found that the Atomic Energy Commissariat had failed in its obligation as an employer to provide security.

The labour court in Papeete ordered that they each be paid 11,000 US dollars.

Three other cases were rejected while another four cases are to be subject to further medical tests.

This means that the court failed to recognise claims that linked poor health to the effects of the weapons tests.

The ruling can be appealed.

In a first reaction, the Nuclear Workers’ Association Moruroa E Tatou has expressed disappointment at the low compensation sum.