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Funeral procession around EU quarters: EU urged to promote trade justice, not free trade
Brussels, 14 April 2005. A powerful funeral procession, held by European and Belgium civil society groups (1), carried a message right to the heart of the European Institutions in Brussels today. The simple slogan on the coffin read: 'trade justice not free trade'. Dozens of 'mourners' followed the coffin, carrying water, fish, tomatoes, rice and chicken to symbolize the livelihoods that are being destroyed by unfair international trade. The procession was designed to highlight the EU's role in enforcing unjust trade rules, which are destroying communities and the environment across the world's poorest regions. The focus on food and water served as a poignant reminder that trade is not just about economics and business. It's about peoples' lives, basic needs and the environment they depend on. Martin Gordon, International Campaigns Manager with Christian Aid said 'The trade policies of EU governments and the European Commission are devastating poor communities the world over. To achieve trade justice they must stop forcing liberalisation on poor countries. This is the message we hope will go to the heart of the European Commission today.' Kingsley Ofei-Nkansah, Ghana's GAWU (General Agricultural Workers Union) said: "Ghana and indeed Africa should begin to transform the lives of the people by making policy choices that meet development needs rather than the unfair rules of multilateral institutions like the WTO, IMF and World Bank. The role of the EU is to put pressure on these institutions to stop forcing liberalisation". Marc Maes from 11.11.11 Belgium made reference to the so-called Economic Partnership Agreements which the EU is currently negotiating with the ACP countries: "These agreements are supposed to be about development, but they will force 37 developing countries and 40 least developing countries to open their markets almost completely to EU competition". Alexandra Wandel of Friends of the Earth Europe commented: 'The EU position threatens the environment around the world on which many people depend. As Commissioner Mandelson represents the people of Europe in trade negotiations, he can not be allowed to trade our environment away.' The event took place as part of the Global Week of Action (www.april2005.org/media), this year's largest mobilization worldwide on trade and one week before EU Trade Ministers will meet on 24 April in Luxembourg. 10 million people from 80 countries are taking action this week. Ends Contact: (1) Groups participating in the action were 11.11.11, Africa Europe Faith and Justice Network, APRODEV, Campaign to Reform the World Bank, Christian Aid, CIDSE, CNCD, CONCORD, Friends of the Earth Europe, Misereor, Oxfam International, Oxfam Solidarité. |
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