India: Open Letter calling on authorities not to approve the expansion of Vedanta’s alumina refinery until existing human rights impact is addressed

India: Open Letter calling on authorities not to approve the expansion of Vedanta’s alumina refinery until existing human rights impact is addressed

Vedanta Aluminium Limited has applied for environmental clearance for a six-fold expansion of its alumina refinery in the state of Orissa. The Government of India has to enforce laws against pollution and to prevent any pollution of water, air or soil by Vedanta. Amnesty International is therefore calling on the authorities to refuse environmental clearance until ongoing human rights concerns in relation to the operations of the refinery are effectively addressed and for an independent and impartial human rights and environmental impact assessment of the proposal.