Appellate Court Confirms Non-Prosecution in Chlordecone Scandal

Paris – 22.06.2026: The Paris Court of Appeal confirmed on Monday the decision not to initiate criminal investigations in the Chlordecone scandal. This scandal concerns the use of the pesticide Chlordecone in the French West Indies, despite its harmfulness being known for decades.

The pesticide was used especially in Guadeloupe and Martinique from 1972 to 1993 on banana plantations against the banana root borer, although it has been banned in mainland France since 1990. Chlordecone can remain in the soil for up to 600 years and leads to massive environmental contamination. According to the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (Anses), over 90 percent of the adult population in the affected regions are considered contaminated.

In 2023, two Paris investigative judges had already declared a non-prosecution due to difficulties in providing criminal proof of the allegations. The now confirmed decision was sharply criticized by the lawyers representing the civil parties. They announced they would pursue the legal battle before the Court of Cassation.

Me Rachid Madid described the decision as a “missed appointment with the French people, especially the overseas French.” Me Christophe Lèguevaques called it a “dark day” because the responsible parties would thus “enjoy immunity.” Together with other representatives, the lawyers announced a new legal offensive to finally hold those responsible accountable.

Marie Toussaint, Green MEP, called the ruling a “denial of justice” and demanded the establishment of a special court to properly punish such crimes.

The case provokes particular outrage in Guadeloupe and Martinique, where many people still fear the health consequences. The collective Diasporas solidaires avec les victimes de l’empoisonnement colonial (Dsavec) told AFP that there is a daily fear of developing cancer or passing the pollutant on to their own children.

The first complaints for poisoning and the spreading of harmful substances were filed as early as 2006. An investigation has been ongoing since 2008, but proving liability is difficult because the acts date back many years.

The recently passed law recognizing state responsibility obliges the French government to present a report within one year on compensation modalities. Nevertheless, disappointment remains high, as many victims will not live to see this justice.

Me Georges-Emmanuel Germany told AFP that while France acknowledges and compensates, it often does so too late and especially when it concerns overseas French or predominantly non-white people.