EarthAction

In Memory of Mikhail Beketov

Dear friends,

we are glad to inform you that today a complaint against Vinci
Concession Russie SA was filed before the Public Prosecutor of
Nanterre, France. We are very grateful to Association SHERPA, CEE
Bankwatch Network and all the people who contributed to the work on
this complaint.

Best regards,
Mikhail Khotyakov  

Movement to Defend Khimki Forest

 

THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE:

 Russian and European NGO investigations lead to the filing of a complaint against VINCI CONCESSIONS RUSSIE SA and against unknown persons before the Nanterre Public Prosecutor on 24 June 2013 

Paris, 24 June 2013 - Sherpa, Russie-Libertés, CEE Bankwatch Network and MOBO Princip, as well as members of Russian civil society such as the environmental activist Evgenia Chirikova, today submitted to the Public Prosecutor of Nanterre, France, a complaint relating to the conditions in which the NORTH WEST CONCESSION COMPANY - NWCC - , which is wholly owned by the French company VINCI CONCESSIONS RUSSIE, was awarded a public contract in 2009 concerning the construction of the highway between Moscow and Saint Petersburg. 

In recent years, investigations have been conducted by a number of European and international NGOs. This investigative work indicates that there may be serious reasons to believe that the VINCI CONCESSIONS RUSSIE Company - as well as other legal persons and individuals that are still to be identified – may have committed financial and criminal offences which could include bribery of foreign public officials and concealment of influence peddling. 

In addition to the climate of corruption which seems to have been present from the early planning stages of the project, serious environmental damage has been reported, especially in the Khimki Forest near Moscow. 

The undersigning NGOs expect the Public Prosecutor of Nanterre, to provide a quick judicial response that should be in line with the importance and the seriousness of the reported facts and with France’s commitments to fight corruption. 

Regarding the last point, they recall the recommendations made to France in 2012 by the OECD working group. 

The undersigning NGOs consider that the nature of the facts and their international and complex character would justify the immediate initiation of a judicial inquiry so that one or more examining judges can begin to investigate without delay. 

Press Contacts: 

Sophia Lakhdar, Director of Sherpa, 0033 (0)1 42 21 33 25, [email protected] 

William Bourdon, President of Sherpa, 0033 (0)1 42 60 32 60, [email protected] 

Pippa Gallop, Research Coordinator at Bankwatch, [email protected] 

Alexis Prokopiev, President of Russie-Libertés, 0033 (0)6 13 49 53 84, [email protected] 

Strides Towards Equality: The DOMA Decision

By Erin Corbett

Photo courtesy of Reuters 

This week has been historical for the gay rights movement with a breakthrough in legal history.  The Supreme Court has ruled the Defense of Marriage Act, otherwise known as DOMA, as unconstitutional. 

DOMA was signed into law in 1996 by then-President Bill Clinton, excluding married gay couples from a number of crucial legal rights, including the non-recognition of married partners of gay Americans under the immigration system. 

The Guardian states,                  

“Within hours of the supreme court ruling striking down the Defence of Marriage Act (Doma) […] many branches of the federal government including the Pentagon and State Department had issued statements saying they would immediately extend employee benefits to same-sex partners.”

Others, including the Department of Homeland Security have announced that immigration policies that affect mixed nationality gay couples would go under revision as well. 

Gay couples in same-sex marriage states will now have the right to file joint tax returns and will have access to federal benefits. But more than just in terms of legality, the ruling of DOMA as unconstitutional could provoke a shift in mentality of popular thought in US society.  Could this legal ruling reduce homophobia and thus the oppression of “non-heterosexuals?”

There is still much to be done in terms of same-sec marriage and legality, but the ruling of DOMA as unconstitutional has definitely been a positive step forward in embracing the many cultures and ideas of the world we live in today. 

Moreover, governor Jerry Brown of California has taken on a separate Supreme Court ruling, dismissing an appeal to uphold the state's Proposition 8 vote banning gay marriage. County clerks have been instructed to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples – the ruling is set to become official in 25 days.

It only seems right that such a huge step forward for the gay community take place during Pride month. 

The Guardian states,

“The San Francisco gay community threw one of the biggest parties of the year on Wednesday. Thousands of people thronged the Castro neighborhood, at the heart of gay life in the city. Businesses closed early and traffic was detoured away from the area as revelers danced into the night.”

Let us think of this time as a huge step forward for an oppressed community and remember that we must continue to fight for equal rights as there is a long way to go for many who are still victims of hate, fear, and ignorance. 

The only way to create further change is by continuing to talk about these pressing issues!   

Photo Source: http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/garrett_epps/rainbow%20flag%20article%20full%20reuters.jpg

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An End to Impunity For Sexual Violence in Conflict

On June 24th, the UN Security Council adopted a legally-binding resolution demanding the complete and immediate cessation of all acts of sexual violence by all parties to armed conflict. It noted that sexual violence can constitute a crime against humanity and a contributing act to genocide, and called for improved monitoring of sexual violence in conflict, and urged the U.N. and donors to assist survivors.

 

Read More

Every Day is World Refugee Day

By Erin Corbett

 

Photo courtesy of The Guardian

June 20, 2013 was World Refugee Day, a day dedicated to honoring those who have been forced to leave their countries due to fears of persecution, conflict, and violence. Likewise, the G8 summit is a forum for 8 global giants (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the US, and the UK) to discuss global challenges and potential solutions to move forward.  This year’s forum (6/17-6/18) focused especially on the Syrian conflict and what to do with the Assad regime. 

The crisis in Syria, of course, brings the issue of refugees to the attention of the world, and with good reason, as there are now over 1.5 million refugees that have fled the country.  Unfortunately, the crisis in Syria is not the only cause for such a large number of refugees, which is an issue that is mirrored around the globe every day. 

There are around 15 million refugees in the world today, and around 28 million Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs). Being a refugee does not end once individuals and families flee their homes. It is a constant struggle and “the average refugee spends 12 years in camps and often has to endure crowded, unfamiliar and sometimes unsafe surroundings on a daily basis,” states The Guardian.

While it is important to honor and admire these people for their strength as survivors, it is also a reminder that too many people have been forced to live in communities with little hope of returning home or of starting a new life elsewhere.  World Refugee Day is a reminder of the urgent need to bring displacement to an end as soon as possible.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has done a great job of responding to the immediate humanitarian needs of refugees around the world. However, governments, development actors, and citizens and organizations in both the public and private sector need to come together now to continue efforts in finding solutions for people who have been displaced. For a family or an individual to be forced to leave their country, their home, their life, and to have to live in a tent in a refugee camp in uncertainty and in the “unknown” is unacceptable and we have failed to address these global problems.

It is not only important to continue to find solutions for those who have been displaced already, but it is imperative that the international community open its eyes to the horrific violence that continues to force people to flee their communities and countries every day. 

Though World Refugee Day is a day to honor and admire the strength of both refugees and IDPs, it is also a time to remember that we, as an international community, have a job “to mobilize our collective outrage that 28,000 people are being uprooted from their homes every day and that millions continue to live in limbo,” states Brookings-LSE Project on Internal Displacement. 

While June 20, 2013 was a day to honor and admire these struggles, it was also a reminder of our duty to honor these people by preventing and resolving the conflicts that uproot far too many people in the world on a daily basis.  

World Refugee Day may be just another day for some, but for millions struggling around the world, World Refugee Day is every day.  

A LETTER REGARDING "MOMENTUM FOR CHANGE: URBAN POOR"

Dear Colleagues,

We would like to bring to your attention another important activity as part
of the UNFCCC secretariat’s Momentum for Change initiative for the year
2013. The call for applications for Momentum for Change: Urban Poor which
opened on 17 May and closes on 28 June 2013 .

Momentum for Change: Urban Poor will recognize successful examples of and
climate adaptation and mitigation activities from around the world that
benefit urban poor, demonstrate measurable impact on the ground and
potential for scalability and transformational change.  It is implemented
in partnership with the World Economic Forum. For more information,
including how to submit an activity, please visit:
http://unfccc.int/secretariat/momentum_for_change/items/7370.php

The Momentum for Change initiative aims to provide a public platform to
highlight broad-ranging climate change actions that are already achieving
impacts on the ground, in addressing both climate change and wider
economic, social and environmental issues. By demonstrating that climate
action is achievable and economically attractive, and enhances efforts to
drive sustainable development, Momentum for Change aims to inspire decision
makers and the public at large to support immediate and ambitious climate
action.

A small number of these activities will be chosen by the Momentum for
Change Advisory Panel as part of the 2013 Momentum for Change "lighthouse
activities", and will be presented during a special event at COP 19/CMP 9,
in Warsaw, Poland.

If you or your networks have activities that match the above focus areas,
we would love to hear from you.  We will appreciate if you can forward this
message as widely as possible.

For any questions, please contact the United Nations Climate Change
secretariat at [email protected]

Best regards,

Momentum for Change Team

A LETTER FROM THE UBUNTU FORUM - BLOG LAUNCHING

Dear colleagues,

As you may already know, one of the goals of our project is to promote the networking as well as complicities with different actors, especially within civil society, but also from the Academia and other stakeholders, in order to promote progress in the different areas of work in which we focus our action.

As you also know, one of the topics in which we have been working more intensively in recent years is, precisely, the campaign in favour of the Financial Transaction Tax, as an innovative financing mechanism for development, but also as a first step towards the urgent regulation of the global financial system. This process will not be fully effective unless the issue of tax havens is properly tackled.

Therefore, today we are presenting the following blog as a new tool of this campaign:

We hope this will be of your interest, and we invite you to share it with your contacts. We also encourage you to become a subscriber in order to receive the updates that will be published periodically.

As you will be able to see, you will find activities and initiatives that we or other actors organise, as well as news, articles, etc. Therefore, do not hesitate to send us any information you consider appropriate to share in this field.

Moreover, we take advantage of this communication to inform you about the recent article published by the ministers of Development of France, Germany and Belgium, in several newspapers (such as Le Soir, Berliner Zeitung or La Vanguardia) in favour of the Financial Transaction Tax and the use of a significant part of its revenue for cooperation and climate finance.

Sincerely,

Manuel Manonelles
Director
UBUNTU Forum

NOTE: EarthAction was a founding member of the UBUNTU Forum. 

The Importance of "Umoja" in the Fight for Gender Equality

 

Video from abc40 news, wggb.com

By Erin Corbett 

For many around the world, the third Sunday of June (celebrated widely on other days as well) is a day dedicated to celebrating dad: it’s Fathers Day! It’s a day to show fathers how much they are appreciated, while honoring and celebrating fatherhood, and the influence of fathers in society. 

What is especially important to think about is, in fact, this immense influence of fathers (and men) in society.  This year, I decided to think about fathers in a global context, particularly their role in the fight for gender equality. 

I reached out to third year Hampshire College student, Elizabeth Wright.  Elizabeth is an intern with Burundian based organization, Umoja Now.  The organization works to achieve gender equality and end gender based violence by bringing men and women together.  Umoja translates to “unity” from Swahili, a name perfectly suited for this organization as it seeks to fight for gender equality by strengthening the unity between men and women.  Umoja Now, with offices in both Burundi and Western Massachusetts, combines law, policy, social work, and development to accomplish this mission.

I asked Elizabeth to tell me a little bit more about an event that Umoja Now organized to be held this year on Fathers day in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Elizabeth discussed the event, known as One Billion Fathers Rising, which is organized by, for, and about men working to end violence and abuse in their communities.  The event brought together activists, educators, musicians, and dancers, while raising awareness about the important role of fathers in ending violence and abuse, which is why the event is held on Fathers Day.

Why is it important to engage men and fathers in the fight for gender equality?

Wright explains,

“Equality cannot be accomplished if both genders aren’t involved equally. Fathers play a crucial part as role models for their sons and daughters.”

One Billion Fathers Rising was a success, gaining significant media attention.  The many performers and speakers attracted locals around Downtown Northampton, who stopped by to listen to the music and speeches and learn more about the work of Umoja Now. 

It is important to remember, in the fight for gender equality and ending violence against women, that using “umoja” or unity as a lens paves the way to embracing peace.  

 

Click for more information about Umoja Now. 

 

 

 

Parliament Raises the Roof for Tar Sands Protesters

Photo credits to http://campusprogress.org/campus_files/uploads/images/tree.jpg 

Environmental activists against tar sands, which is a form of fuel producing more GHG emissions than conventional oil, have posted a video of themselves visiting the parliament in Canada.  The activists managed to climb the roof of the parliament with t-shirts saying "oil out of politics," in hopes of disrupting the prime minister, Stephen Harper's address.  Three demonstrators have been arrested.    

The Guardian states the following: 

"The Love Canada Hate Tar Sands site said: 'We have entered parliament to interrupt Harper's speech. We have managed to climb onto the roof with T-shirts saying 'oil out of politics', 'stop Harper' and 'stop the tar sands'. Two campaigners spilled molasses on the floor outside of Parliament'"

The activists said in a statement: "Cameron's government opens its arms to Harper and his cronies … Harper should be shamed internationally but he is instead invited to address both houses of parliament. Harper has taken Canada down a dangerous climate path, destroyed whole ecosystems and overriding centuries-old treaty rights."

Other protesters have demonstrated outside of the parliament as well.  The UK Tar Sands Network protested as the Canadian prime minister arrived, with close to 50 people campainging against the extraction of oil from tar sands in the boreal forests of Canada. 

"The group wants the UK government to support EU measures to label tar sands as more polluting than conventional oil and to discourage its future import."

Proud To Be Indigenous

Photo courtesy of Red Alliances Media (http://redalliances.com/2013/05/06/proud-to-be-indigenous-with-first-peoples-worldwide/)

The month of May was a fun and exciting time for indigenous peoples from all over the world as they were invited by the First Peoples Worldwide organization to take to social media and express what they love about being indigenous during Proud To Be Indigenous Week.  

First Peoples Worldwide was founded in 1997 as a program that offers funding for local development projects in indiegnous communities worldwide.  The work of this organization is particularly incredible because it is an indigenous-led organization that gives a voice to indigenous communities in solving today's challenges around climate change, food insecurity, among others.  The organization is made up of head staff, a global network of board members, grantees, and practitioners that all represent diversity and solidarity in indigenous lifestyles.  

The organization used the month of May as a way to include indigenous peoples from around the world in expressing that theye were proud to be indigenous.  First Peoples received over 300 photos from 69 different indigenous communities across 33 countries with a campaign on Twitter that used the trending tags #Proud2BIndigenous and #P2BI.  The photos are available on the organization's Facebook page. 

In addition to the online campaign, First Peoples hosted several events in New York City, including a workshop led by the founder, Rebecca Adamson, on how corporations need to engage and work with indigenous communities because their voices need to be heard when the issues at hand concern these people.  

Though the Proud To Be Indigenous week is over, submissions are welcome throughout the year!

For more information, visit First Peoples Worldwide.  

Story thanks to Neva Morrison, First Peoples Worldwide managing director.