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ARTICLE 19GLOBAL CAMPAIGN FOR FREE EXPRESSIONand behind closed doors. 332 The 1 May celebrations, complete with outdoors parades, were notcancelled, even in nearby Kyiv. 333 The participants were not informed of the possible consequences ofbeing outdoors after the accident. 334There was a delay in the authorities advising people to take basic precautions and evacuatingthem. 335 The Civil Defence Institute stated that, ‘the vague and untimely information … about theaccident … caused social and psychological stress in society’. 336 Moreover, ‘the lack of information …during the evacuation process led to an inadequate response of the population (increase in thepercentage of abortions …) and development of health concerns … All this resulted in a dramaticdegradation of standards of living.’ 337 As noted, some people who were gravely ill were dischargedfrom hospitals to avoid exposing the true scale of the accident. Had people had full knowledge of therisks to their health and of possible measures to minimise the impact, the health damage caused by thecatastrophe could have been lower. People could have demanded adequate medical care, the promptsummoning of more experienced staff from other parts of the USSR, and better evacuationprogrammes and research on the true effects of the accident. People could have also avoided theconsumption of food from contaminated areas. Instead, crops from some of these regions continued tobe grown and consumed.The withdrawal of information following the accident was justified as a measure to preventpanic from spreading. 338 However, the Civil Defence Institute stated that the lack of informationcaused rumours to spread, high levels of stress, and a lack of trust in public officials. It concludes that,‘[t]here is no doubt that concealing information about the … catastrophe was an error.’ 339 It furthernotes that ‘the accident demonstrated the hazard of isolating the nuclear power industry from publicsupervision, and highlighted the necessity of an open and objective dialogue with the public in allaspects of safe utilisation of nuclear power’. 340 It recommended a ‘renovation of … informationservices’. 341Indeed, although many people might be distressed at the prospect of knowing the full scale ofthe Chornobyl legacy, many others feel a psychological need to know. Similarly, many of those whohave been affected by the train accident in Lviv have been demanding to know its underlying causes in332 Interview with Volodymyr Usachenko, see note 54.333 A Turevich, see note 331.334 Interview with the Civil Defence Institute, see note 80.335 Ibid.336 Civil Defence Institute publication, p.198, see note 60.337 Ibid.338 Interview with the Civil Defence Institute, see note 80.339 Civil Defence Institute publication, p.8, see note 60.340 Ibid., p.8-9.341 Ibid., p.200.For Internal Use Only. Is Post-Chornobyl Ukraine Ready for Access to Environmental Information?ARTICLE 19, London, 2007*,
ARTICLE 19GLOBAL CAMPAIGN FOR FREE EXPRESSIONorder to hold accountable those responsible. Conclusive information about the accident could assistthem in overcoming its consequences, both psychologically and logistically. Only full transparencyand analysis of what happened will enable the State and society to learn from these events.While it is no surprise that information was suppressed during the Soviet period, it is worryingthat the lack of comprehensive information on the Chornobyl accident and its consequences persistseven today. This is in part due to logistic reasons, such as the fact that no comprehensive records werekept at the time about the affected population or the measures taken (for example, how many peoplewere relocated and to where). However, a more comprehensive information policy would have beenbeneficial, as the severe mental health problems created by Chornobyl are exacerbated by the lack ofinformation. A spokesperson from the UN Development Programme (UNDP) stated that ‘two decadesafter the Chornobyl accident people still lack the information they need to lead the healthy andproductive lives that are possible’. 342 As a result, the UNDP has advised the Ukrainian government totake the necessary measures to inform people about living safely in inhabited areas of lowcontamination.;,4 !%>6 The people interviewed (see Chapter 6) referred to several other instances in which lack ofenvironmental information negatively affected their health and quality of life.In Sloviansk, people living near an old sodium factory complained that, despite its closure, asubstantial amount of phosphorus remained on the site. The waste is highly inflammable and fireshave occurred. 343 Although the authorities often conceal information ostensibly in order to avoid panic,in reality the lack of information often leads to public consternation when accidents occur. Slovianskis an example of this: in early 2000, a serious accident in the factory led to leaks of phosphorus gases;in 2004, when a second minor accident took place, the authorities did not issue an official statement,causing a period of uncertainty and fear, as well as confusion as to what body to address forinformation. Moreover, the continued presence of the phosphorus raises great concern, exacerbated byuncertainty and frustration caused by the absence of any known official plan to dispose of thehazardous substances. Interviewees said that they had not received information on safety measures in342 Chernobyl: the True Scale of the Accident. 20 Years Later a UN Report Provides Definitive Answers andWays to Repair Lives, World Health Organisation News Release, 5 September 2005http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2005/pr38/en/print.html343 Fortunately the fires were contained.For Internal Use Only. Is Post-Chornobyl Ukraine Ready for Access to Environmental Information?ARTICLE 19, London, 2007*+
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