In the courtroom, the judge heard AO victims talk about the lingering pain they have suffered during their daily lives, and scientists present new findings about the consequences of the toxic chemicals that the US army used during the Vietnam War. War veterans from the US and Republic of Korea and wives of war veterans from Japan and Germany who served the war also talked about the horrific consequences of the chemicals and raised support for Vietnamese victims in their lawsuit against US chemical firms.

The tribunal was a chance for the public, including French people, to gain a better understanding about the harmful effects of Agent Orange/Dioxin contained in 80 million litres of defoliants that the US army used during the war in Vietnam.

US lawyer Jeanne Mirer gave legal grounds affirming US chemical firms must be responsible for the consequences caused by their products.

With strong and persuasive arguments, French lawyer Roland Weyl stated that the harmful effects of AO/Dioxin on Vietnamese people are undeniable and that the chemical firms that supplied defoliants to the US army must compensate the victims.

It’s time to bring justice to more than 3 million Vietnamese people who were exposed to AO/Dioxin during the war, he said. 

According to him, the compensation level for Vietnamese victims must be higher than that enjoyed by US war veterans, reasoning that they are the victims of not only the toxic chemicals, but also an unjust war.

He also demanded that US chemical firms be responsible for minimising the harmful effects of the chemicals on the environment in Vietnam, especially the central and central highland regions where the content of dioxin was found to be higher than other areas.

The experienced lawyer received thunderous applause from audiences.