November 12, 2001
Success of decentralised mobilisations on WTO in over 40 countries shows deepening and strengthening of the global civil society movement since Seattle.
Citizens groups around the world are organising hundreds of events in a week of action (5-13 November) to show the widespread opposition to the launch of a new trade round. Activities are held all over the world, including in Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Honduras, Hongkong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, South Corea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia and Turkey United Kingdom. Activities are diverse and colourful and range from public fora, teach-ins, fair trade parades, demonstrations and rallies, street theatre etc.
Since the last WTO Ministerial in Seattle, December 1999, many thousands of citizens have intensified their campaigns and protests against corporate globalisation and the WTO and for a sustainable, equitable and democratic trading system. The anti-corporate globalisation movement has grown in depth, diversity and size since Seattle. More and more people around the world are realising the negative consequences of a corporate-led globalisation agenda and of the WTO.
In Seattle around 50.000 citizens from around the world protested against the WTO and made a call of "No New Round, Turnaround!". Already now its is clear that hundreds of thousands of people have participated in the decentralized actions and events during this action week.
From some of the countries where actions took place we were informed about the estimated numbers in the rallies and street actions: In Bulgary on the 1st of november 10.000. In the trade justive parade in London participated over 5000 persons. On the 5th and the 9th november in Turkey (over 20.000). On the 6th of november in India ca. 100.000 persons in different rallies. On the 9-10-11th of november in Germany in different cities 5000. On the 9th of november in the Bask Country 1000 and 600 in Bracelona, in Malaysia 10.000, in Bulgaria 10.000, in France 7000 in the rally in Paris and actions/rallies in at least 60 more cities, in Bangladesh several thousands, in Geneva 5000, in the Philippines 1000. On the 10th of november in Rome 100.000, in Thailand 1000 persons participated.
Despite the enormous security and limited participation by civil society in Doha (each NGO is limited to one representative) there have already been several stunts and actions on the ground in Doha. Members of the Our World is Not for Sale" coalition which put forth the "WTO: Shrink or Sink" 12-point plan, has had daily events ranging from street theater, a silent protest, a protest targeting the undemocratic process pushed by USTR Zoellick and EU Commissioner Lamy.
Hundreds of groups united in their concerns and demands have signed the global ‘Our World is Not for Sale: WTO: Shrink or Sink" statement. The statement calls for a rollback of the power of the WTO and for a fundamental revision of trade rules. The statement incorporates eleven specific demands which include no new trade round and expansion of the WTO's agenda, protecting basic social rights and needs from the WTO, stopping corporate patent protection and ensuring access to medicines and seeds, banning patenting of life, recognising food as a basic human right, eliminating the investment measures agreement, ensuring special and differential treatment of developing countries, prioritising social rights and the environment and democratising decision-making.
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