Protesting about a bad trade deal1 December 2005
Protesting about a bad trade deal
Friends of the Earth believes the trade deal currently being proposed at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) spells very bad news for people and planet.
So we decided to take our no deal is better than a bad deal message direct to the offices of the WTO, EU and the UK Prime Minister.
London
On the eve of the WTO's 6th Ministerial in Hong Kong, Friends of the Earth supporters along with members from:
- Greenpeace
- People & Planet
- War on Want
- World Development Movement
demonstrated outside 10 Downing Street.
Sebastian Klier, Sarah Waldron, Nikki Packham, Matthew McGregor
This coalition of development and environmental groups came together to show that UK people are concerned about what happens at the WTO in Hong Kong.
A statement was handed in to the Prime Minister's office setting out our position on the Hong Kong trade talks that no deal is better than a bad deal (†PDF).
Brussels
On 21 November, EU trade ministers met in Brussels to finalise the EU trade position ahead of the WTO Ministerial.
Friends of the Earth local group members joined staff to be there.
At 10am a protest was held in front of the European Commission with a corporate giant and 50 activists from different campaign groups.
This was followed by a media conference launching a new report by the Seattle to Brussels network - a European trade campaign coalition.
The report claims that EU trade policy is being driven by big business and not by concern for the environment or relieving poverty.
Some local group members then joined a trade justice march organised by the coalition called Global Call to Action Against Poverty.
Others lobbied their MEPs, and went on a Corporate Observatory Europe tour which visited the offices of European corporate lobbyists.
Finally, in the evening, a demonstration was held outside the venue where the trade ministers were having dinner. Tired but happy, the campaigners felt they had done their bit to make their voices heard.
Camden Friends of the Earth members on the evening demo
Geneva
On 19 October, the WTO's General Council met in Geneva. The General Council is 2nd only to the WTO Ministerial meetings in decision-making powers.
Martin Khor from Third World Network finds the WTO has the winning hand.
We were outside the meeting, inviting WTO delegates to play our loaded card game. They were given the chance to gamble with forests, fish, livelihoods, education and water. And they lost.
This allowed us to remind them that no deal is better than a bad deal when your dealer is the WTO.
© Friends of the Earth
