Other news
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4 March Mar 2016 1043 04 March 2016 -
3 March Mar 2016 1643 03 March 2016 Inequality, the environment, and protecting future generations
The African, Carribean and Pacific group of states (ACP) and the EU’s trade and development cooperation treaty, the Cotonou Agreement, is up for renegotiation by June of this year. Civil society organisations are calling for an agreement that tackles inequality, and includes the commitments made at COP21.
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17 February Feb 2016 0932 17 February 2016 Zombie attack! TTIP corporate super rights come back from the dead
The European Commission’s “new” investor protection proposal brings the same controversial corporate super rights back from the dead according to a new report by Corporate Europe Observatory and 16 other organisations. The study’s release comes just before talks on this controversial issue resume in Brussels for the first time after a two year halt.
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17 February Feb 2016 0926 17 February 2016 10 human rights cases to watch in 2016
We are only two months in, and already 2016 has seen a number of violations against human rights defenders (HRDs). Here is a list of the top 10 cases to watch this year.
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12 February Feb 2016 1547 12 February 2016 Repression 360°
Civil society is warning of increased repression worldwide. We have new forms of closed society, and oppressive regimes. The techniques of manipulation have evolved,” says George Soros, founder and chairman of the Open Society Foundation
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12 February Feb 2016 1140 12 February 2016 Where Europe's borders lie
This week in Brussels the European Union agreed to a new set of demands for Greece to fix its handling of irregular migrants.
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10 February Feb 2016 1407 10 February 2016 Peace in Yemen: "No end in sight"
Civil war has been raging in Yemen for a year. Over 80% of the population require humanitarian assistance, and the conflict shows no signs of abating. International Crisis Group (ICG) have released their latest Middle East Report entitled “Yemen: Is Peace Possible?”.
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8 February Feb 2016 1140 08 February 2016 European Commission still very cosy with tobacco industry influencers
In a worrying development, the European Commission has refused to act on the recommendations of the European Ombudsman regarding tobacco industry lobbying
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8 February Feb 2016 1113 08 February 2016 They herded us into the aircraft like cattle (also known as #TravelWhileBlack)
Traveling while African is a new series of commentaries, articles, and artwork about the vicissitudes of carrying an African passport—inside and outside Africa. Our hashtag is #TravelAfrican.
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3 February Feb 2016 0928 03 February 2016 European Commission defence of European rights sinks in an unsafe harbour
The new EU-US Agreement which would facilitate transfer of data across the Atlantic, is likely to fail to achieve their intended goals, says EDRi, an association of civil and human rights organisations from across Europe that defends rights and freedoms in the digital environment.
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27 January Jan 2016 1126 27 January 2016 Corruption: a scourge on global progress
The effects of corruption are manifold. From undermining development, democracy and the environment, as well as fuelling inequality by putting money into the hands of the rich and distorting decision-making processes, corruption is a scourge on global progress. Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Report 2015 indicates that there is still a long way to go in the global fight against corruption, but there are some glimmers of hope.
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26 January Jan 2016 1133 26 January 2016 Smart Cities? Not for women
For women, walking on city streets is often a fraught process: from the ripple of apprehension when someone physically stronger approaches, to the general avoidance of walking alone in the dark, and the constant need to stay alert and watchful. These are familiar experiences for women globally, and with increased urbanisation, violence against women in our cities is becoming endemic.
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25 January Jan 2016 1221 25 January 2016 Tunisia rising (again)
Tunisians have taken to the streets once again to protest unemployment, corruption, and social inequality. "Solutions exist, but some patience and optimism are needed," says Prime Minister Habib Essid.
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25 January Jan 2016 1036 25 January 2016 It is time to combat corporate tax avoidance
In an age of deep public spending cuts and real austerity, addressing tax evasion and avoidance through use of tax havens is a moral issue. Actions by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the G-20 industrialised nations have endorsed a package of measures to tackle corporate tax avoidance: companies should pay tax in the countries where they conduct business.
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20 January Jan 2016 1153 20 January 2016 Digital values: protecting privacy, or ensuring security?
It is 2016, and we are still using Internet laws from 1986. In the post-Paris era, national security vs. right to privacy is an increasingly difficult terrain to navigate.
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18 January Jan 2016 0831 18 January 2016 It takes to TTIP: bureaucrats and big business to attack the public interest
A report released by Corporate Europe Observatory and LobbyControl shows how this pillar of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership talks is set to facilitate attacks on standards and could be used to suppress the powers of democratically elected politicians.
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14 January Jan 2016 1420 14 January 2016 Families on the frontline against radicalisation
“Violent radicalisation is not a new problem, but it is a phenomenon in constant evolution.” On Tuesday at the King Baudouin Foundation a meeting was held amongst civil society and radicalisation experts, on working with families to both prevent violent radicalisation, as well as providing support for those whose children have already left for Syria and Iraq since 2012.
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13 January Jan 2016 1100 13 January 2016 Amnesty International asks the US to close Guantánamo
On the occasion of the 14th anniversary of the opening of the detention centre of Guantánamo Amnesty International said that the US Congress’ obstruction to shutting the detention center at Guantánamo Bay risks placing the US alongside countries who consistently disregard internationally agreed standards of justice and human rights,
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11 January Jan 2016 1644 11 January 2016 2016: Global Challenges
From Cologne to Yemen, we’re only 12 days in and already conflict, migration, women’s rights, climate justice, and human rights issues are set to dominate our 2016 headlines. In the age of information, it’s hard to pinpoint the key global challenges facing us. To simplify things, here is Vita International’s birds-eye view of the top 6 global challenges facing us this year.
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11 January Jan 2016 1124 11 January 2016 Make trade, not war
International commerce may diminish incentives for countries to wage war against each other, according to the "Networks of military alliances, wars, and international trade" study.