AA021242 Thalidomide casualties offer spare limbs to German Consulate
Thalidomide casualties offer spare limbs to German Consulate - London 02.10.2013
Thalidomide survivors protested outside the German Consulate in London's Belgrave Square against the German government's 42-year long protection of Grünenthal GMbH - manufacturer of Thalidomide - from prosecution by any victims of the infamous drug which was administered to pregnant women as a cure for morning sickness, but which caused terrible birth deformities in over 10,000 babies worldwide, many of whom died agonising deaths.
The German government passed a special law in 1971 which gives the drug manufacturer immunity from any prosecution by victims of Thalidomide, even though Grünenthal's victims have needed a lifetime of support which has instead been paid for by taxpayers of the countries in which they were born.
Though various Grünenthal senior officials have verbally apologised over the past few years, the company still refuses point blank to pay compensation for the enduring human misery they have caused, and it is alarming to hear that Thalidomide is now being dished out in Brazil as an effective treatment for Leprosy. Though Thalidomide is proving to be very effective, the problem is that unscrupulous doctors and pharmacists in Brazil are not ensuring women are not pregnant before issuing the drug. As a consequence, the horrors of Thalidomide has been unleashed on the favelas, and Grünenthal know they will continue to be unfairly protected by their government.
Grünenthal has never paid a penny of compensation to its victims in Australia, Sweden, Canada or the United Kingdom.
For more information, please visit Thalidomide Trust or their campaign website ShowYourHand where you can show your support.
All photos © 2013 Pete Riches
Do not reproduce, alter, re-transmit or blog my images without my written permission. I remain at all times the copyright owner of this image.
Media buyers and publications can access this story on Demotix
Standard industry rates apply.
Hi-Res, un-watermarked versions of these files are available on application solely at my discretion
If you want to use any image found in my Flickr Photostream, please Email me directly.
AA021242 Thalidomide casualties offer spare limbs to German Consulate
Thalidomide casualties offer spare limbs to German Consulate - London 02.10.2013
Thalidomide survivors protested outside the German Consulate in London's Belgrave Square against the German government's 42-year long protection of Grünenthal GMbH - manufacturer of Thalidomide - from prosecution by any victims of the infamous drug which was administered to pregnant women as a cure for morning sickness, but which caused terrible birth deformities in over 10,000 babies worldwide, many of whom died agonising deaths.
The German government passed a special law in 1971 which gives the drug manufacturer immunity from any prosecution by victims of Thalidomide, even though Grünenthal's victims have needed a lifetime of support which has instead been paid for by taxpayers of the countries in which they were born.
Though various Grünenthal senior officials have verbally apologised over the past few years, the company still refuses point blank to pay compensation for the enduring human misery they have caused, and it is alarming to hear that Thalidomide is now being dished out in Brazil as an effective treatment for Leprosy. Though Thalidomide is proving to be very effective, the problem is that unscrupulous doctors and pharmacists in Brazil are not ensuring women are not pregnant before issuing the drug. As a consequence, the horrors of Thalidomide has been unleashed on the favelas, and Grünenthal know they will continue to be unfairly protected by their government.
Grünenthal has never paid a penny of compensation to its victims in Australia, Sweden, Canada or the United Kingdom.
For more information, please visit Thalidomide Trust or their campaign website ShowYourHand where you can show your support.
All photos © 2013 Pete Riches
Do not reproduce, alter, re-transmit or blog my images without my written permission. I remain at all times the copyright owner of this image.
Media buyers and publications can access this story on Demotix
Standard industry rates apply.
Hi-Res, un-watermarked versions of these files are available on application solely at my discretion
If you want to use any image found in my Flickr Photostream, please Email me directly.