We can only be appalled by the results of the G8 summit in Genoa,
both in what we saw and in the missed opportunities. On the practical
and logistical organisation, and particularly the management of
demonstrators, the agenda and its results, as well as the legitimacy
itself of a 8 countries-summit on matters which concern the entire
international community, the FIDH deplores the incapacity - or
the lack of will - of the G8 to face in an appropriate manner
the challenges of globalisation.
1- Repression against demonstrators :
The FIDH strongly condemns the human rights violations by the
Italian police forces. The FIDH demands the opening of an independent
and impartial investigation in order to discover the abuses perpetrated
by the police forces.
The FIDH condemns the use of violence by any party; however, after
Seattle, Prague, Quebec and Gothenburg, the trend towards criminalisation
of social protest seems confirmed, directly violating the right
of association and peaceful demonstration, recognised by the community
of States.
The FIDH is very concerned by the reaction of the police forces
against the demonstrators and in particular by the police raid
against the headquarters of the Genoa Social Forum, coordinating
a dozen of anti-globalisation movements. During this particularly
violent raid, 66 persons were injured and 92 militants were arrested.
The FIDH has submitted this matter to the Observatory for the
protection of human rights defenders.
In total, about 180 persons have been arrested. The evidence collected
by the press and NGOs attest that the use of force by the Italian
police against demonstrators and journalists was disproportionate.
The FIDH holds the Italian authorities directly responsible for
the bad treatments suffered by the demonstrators.
2- Concerning the progress of the work and the content of the
final declaration :
The FIDH deplores the insufficiency of the measures taken by the
G8 in the struggle against poverty, the protection of environment,
debt relief for the least developed countries and the guidelines
for export credit agencies.
The heads of States and of governments recognized that there is
" currently a disagreement on the Kyoto Protocol " concerning
the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions ; and have only reached
a minimal agreement on its ratification.
The FIDH takes note of the creation of a global Fund to fight
HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, but regrets that the funds
allocated are much smaller than planned.
The FIDH deplores the inadequacy of the final Declaration whose
vague and ineffective terms are merely a statement of principle
unworthy of such a meeting.
No progress
on export credit agencies :
In an open letter on the 17th of July, the FIDH urged the G8
countries to ensure the inclusion of human rights in export
credit agencies guidelines (agencies which guarantee the risks
of foreign investments).
The FIDH takes note of the refusal of the G8 to add human rights
to ECA guidelines, where reference is made to environmental
norms only, which alone cannot guarantee the objective of sustainable
development for all set up by the international community. The
members of the G8 have committed themselves to reach agreement
in the OECD on a Recommendation by the end of the year.
The FIDH wishes this recommendation to go further than the "Okinawa
mandate".
Finally
the FIDH notes the irony of the Declaration, supporting the
initiative on "everything except arms", in favour
of least developed countries, though the ECAs of the G8 countries
are the main guarantors of arms sales to those countries.
3. on the
legitimacy of G8 meetings :
The FIDH is amazed that matters affecting the entire international
community and thus requiring debates in multilateral institutions
such as the United Nations are dealt with by great powers only.
The FIDH is pleased that the heads of States and governments
recognised the " fundamental importance of an open public
debate on the key challenges facing our societies " and
supported a "broad partnership with civil society",
however it is doubtful about their real political will to consult
the movements of civil society.
http://www.fidh.org
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