Statement on The Demise of Ali Hussein Juloud

28 April 2023

April 28 2023

Climate Action Network is devastated at the death of Ali Hussein Juloud (21) who succumbed to his prolonged battle against leukaemia on 21 April. Our thoughts are with his family, his community, and all who knew him. His fight for justice, even as his health deteriorated, is one that we are determined to carry on in memory of his tremendous legacy. 

Ali’s short life, spent in Rumaila, Iraq, was a testament to holding powerful polluters accountable until his last days. His illness, first diagnosed when he was 15, was linked to toxic cancer-linked chemicals produced by burning fossil fuels from the numerous gas flares operated by British Petroleum (BP) and Eni in dangerous and unlawful proximity to his neighbourhood.

The impacts of gas flaring on the environment and people’s health, particularly of young children, was captured in a powerful BBC documentary Under Poisoned Skies. According to the documentary, Rumaila is heavily guarded and journalists’ access is prohibited so Ali opted to courageously record video diaries documenting his daily life. The documentary shows that Rumaila has more gas flaring than any other oilfield in the world. Ali was not the first to lose his health, and precious life, to this toxic pollution.

Last year, at COP27, Ali shared his story and presented the documentary to a global audience, forcing open a conversation on the destructive impact of fossil fuels and the obscene profits made on the backs of those living near fossil fuel extraction projects, suffering the worst consequences and with little recourse to compensation and justice. 

Tasneem Essop, Executive Director of Climate Action Network, said: “The injustice of Ali’s death can never be forgiven. We grieve with his family and community and recognise that his loss of life is among many others facing the same situation in Rumaila. The perpetrators of this injustice, the fossil fuel industry, must be held accountable for such irreversible damage to human lives and the environment. We are determined to take forward his struggle and fight against the toxic presence of the fossil fuel industry who continue to act with impunity and without regard for the well-being and safety of people and  basic human rights.”

Rest in peace, Ali.

For more information or media requests please contact media@climatenetwork.org and/or Dharini Parthasarathy dparthasarathy@climatenetwork.org