The 'war on drugs' is presented as a necessary battle against social evils, writes Benjamin Ramm. But from the Andes to the Caribbean, prohibition has criminalised both religious and cultural expression. And it's a war that is strictly for the global poor: people in Colorado can grow pot - so why not Colombians?
… The 'war on drugs' is a war on culture and human diversity Benjamin Ramm | 28th April 2016 Comment War Society Religion Indigenous Peoples Culture Law colombia-cut.jpg The 'war on drugs' is presented as a necessary …
The military targeting of civilian infrastructure, especially of water supplies, is a war crime under the Geneva Conventions, writes Nafeez Ahmed. Yet this is precisely what NATO did in Libya, while blaming the damage on Gaddafi himself. Since then, the country's water infrastructure - and the suffering of its people - has only deteriorated further.
… War crime: NATO deliberately destroyed Libya's … Ahmed | 14th May 2015 News Libya Africa Water War Law libya-puddle-water-cut2.jpg The … especially of water supplies, is a war crime under the Geneva Conventions, writes …
A fusion of drone systems and chemical agents is set to transform the landscape of combat for states and non-state actors alike, writes Paul Rogers. These technologies won't just be used for warfare, but for 'public order' ... suppressing riots, protests and political dissent. Forget water cannon - this is the real deal.
… War and police? Drones, chemicals and … Paul Rogers | 10th January 2015 Comment War Technology Toxins Law UK Protest … These technologies won't just be used for warfare, but for 'public order' ... … far from signalling an end to the war, emphasise how distant that prospect …
Gaza farmers have lost 187 hectares of crops to aerial spraying of herbicides by Israel hundreds of meters within the territory's borders. The action, carried out in the name of 'security', further undermines Gaza's ability to feed itself and may permanently deprive farmers of their livelihoods. It may also represent a war crime under the 1977 Protocol to the Geneva Conventions.
… War crime? Israel destroys Gaza crops with … February 2016 News Middle East Farming Food War Law sprayed-field-cut.jpg Gaza farmers … of their livelihoods. It may also represent a war crime under the 1977 Protocol to the …
As the Arctic ice retreats, a fragile but resource-rich landscape replete with oil, minerals, fish and islands is opening up, writes Conn Hallinan. A new land-rush is on, and it could all lead to war. But it can be avoided provided states respect the rule of law and build on existing regimes of cooperation to protect the precious Arctic environment.
… hot politics - as the ice melts, a new Cold War can still be avoided Conn Hallinan | 25th … new land-rush is on, and it could all lead to war. But it can be avoided provided states … eight years ago this past July, two British warships - HMS Erebus and HMS Terror - sailed …
The International Criminal Court in The Hague is to broaden its focus to prosecute governments and individuals for environmental crimes, write John Vidal & Owen Bowcott. Examples include illegal deforestation, theft of resources, and expulsion of populations from their land.
… has mostly ruled on cases of genocide and war crimes since it was set up in 2002. It has … "Land-grabbing is no less harmful than war in terms of negative impacts on civilians" … Witness. "Today's announcement should send a warning shot to company executives and …
It's easy to forget that Julian Assange - reviled by mainstream media, hounded by Sweden's judiciary, 'red-listed' by Interpol, publicly attacked by the US defense secretary - remains an innocent man, 'wanted' for nothing more than questioning, writes John Pilger. His disgraceful treatment dishonours only his persecutors.
… truth-telling in an era of lies, cynicism and war. The persecution of Julian Assange must … that the two governments had discussed his onward extradition to the US before the European Arrest Warrant was issued. Perhaps an explanation is …
After a massive oil find in Syria's Golan Heights, occupied by Israel since 1967, Israel is asking President Obama to recognise its annexation of the territory, writes Jonathan Cook. To consolidate its hold, plans are afoot to quadruple Israeli settler numbers to 100,000.
… Heights, captured from Syria during the 1967 war. Sources close to the talks told the … said : "I think the president didn't think it warranted an answer. It wasn't clear how … the permit had to be withdrawn soon afterwards. Resources plundered Today, 22,000 …
G4S, the UK government outsourcer that supports Israeli security functions in the West Bank, will now supply 'custodial services' to Guantánamo Bay Naval Base, writes Clare Sambrook. Shocked? You shouldn't be. G4S is impervious to public criticism and defies international law with impunity.
… Sambrook | 13th August 2014 Activism Law War USA Cuba Corporations Human Rights … Garcia has played a significant role in the 'War on Terror', serving as a stop-over for CIA … (Boycotts, Divestments & Sanctions) and War on Want , calling upon G4S customers and …
Julian Assange's struggle for freedom is one of law and justice against vengeful state power determined at all costs to darken the light of truth that Wikileaks has cast into the murkiest of places, writes John Pilger. Now, after a long series of moral and legal victories, his release may finally be drawing near.
… truth-telling in an era of lies, cynicism and war. The persecution of Julian Assange is … in 2013 - wrongly believed to be carrying Edward Snowden. According to documents released … that the two governments had discussed his onward extradition to the US. Contrary to its …
Israel's armed forces have destroyed vital water and sewage infrastructure in their bombing campaign of the besieged territory, writes Mohammed Omer. This constitutes a severe breach of the 1977 Protocol to the 1949 Geneva Conventions on the part of Israel and all those conceiving, planning, ordering and perpetrating the attacks.
… 16th July 2014 News Middle East Water Health War Law Human Rights gaza-children-cut.jpg … Israel is deliberately targeting the wells: "Warplanes have targeted two wells directly, … may leave 100,000's with no water Israeli warplanes have also targeted five water …
When we speak of WMD, we usually think of weapons - nuclear, biological, or chemical - that are delivered in a moment, writes Tom Engelhardt. But what of climate change: a WMD on a long fuse, already lit and smoking ...
… congressional votes were changed in favor of war thanks to hair-raising secret … in the Middle East, the "brink" beyond which war has endlessly loomed. And yet there was … he used against Iranian troops in his 1980s war with their country - with the help of …
Brazil's new neoliberal government is intent on building a massive new dam deep in the Amazon rainforest on the on the Tapajós river, writes Helle Abelvik-Lawson, obliterating the indigenous territory of the Munduruku people in defiance of their constitutional rights.
… Brazilian Constitution outside of times of war or disease outbreaks. That may be why … us every day, us and our children." State of war The Munduruku people - who number around … - say that they are living in a state of war. "The people in the village are always …
The US's development of its new 'smart' nuclear bomb, the B61-12, is an outright violation of the Non Proliferation Treaty, writes Xanthe Hall. Yet five other 'non-nuclear' NATO nations - Germany, Holland, Belgium, Italy and Turkey - are set to accept it onto their territories, so their own aircraft can use it in nuclear attacks.
… Hall | 9th October 2015 Comment Nuclear WMD War Law b61-12-cut.jpg The US's development of … Tornado delivery aircraft will get new software. It is a little known fact: Germany, … first 'shot across the bows' start a nuclear war? Nuclear deterrence is the archetypal …
First corporations gained legal personhood, writes Don Fitz. Next they seized the right to force 'free trade' on unwilling populations. Now they are making sure that 'corporate rights' trump citizen rights - like the right to wholesome food and a healthy environment. That's where the 'Right to Farm' constitutional amendments come in ...
… rights of persons date to the post-Civil War ear. In the late 1880s the US Supreme … trade' During the decades following World War II, corporations sought to expand their … The first wave of corporatocracy looked inward: It focused on US businesses power that …
This autumn the Monsanto Tribunal will assemble experts from around the world to set out the evidence against the global mega-corporation, which will stand accused of monstrous 'crimes' against people and the environment. The Tribunal's verdict will not be legally binding - this time. But on a future occasion, it may be.
… history of producing toxic chemicals for warfare, its well-documented manipulation of … on Business and Human Rights. Complicity in war crimes for supplying herbicides to the US … for Operation 'Ranch Hand' during the Vietnam War (see photo) . This will be considered …
The official investigation into the downing of MH17 is without precedent in the history of aviation, writes James O'Neill, as it gives one of the prime suspects, Ukraine, a veto power over publication of the report. Grieving families of the victims may never know know the truth, as geopolitics triumphs over justice.
… December 2014 News Transport Law Human Rights War Ukraine Australia Netherlands Russia … route so that it flew directly over the war zone in eastern Ukraine. They asked for an … Regional Development (Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss) seeking a copy of the agreement. …
Government plans to enact a 'domestic extremism' law, announced in yesterday's Queen's Speech, threaten to make thought criminals of all who challenge the established order, writes Donnachadh McCarthy. At risk are campaigners, protestors, journalists and all who dissent from Britain's neoliberal corporatocracy.
… in a liberal democracy. Don't mention the war - the one against us! Was there any … announced : "Measures will also be brought forward to promote social cohesion and protect … his experience for The Ecologist . As Arbib warned, "to judge by its shabby record, the …
As World Water Week kicks off in Stockholm today with a theme of 'Water for Development', the drought being deliberately inflicted on Palestinians is firmly off the agenda, writes Laith Shakir. While Israelis water their lawns, irrigate crops and swim in Olympic-sized pools, Palestinian communities a few kilometers away are literally dying of thirst.
… | 23rd August 2015 News Water Middle East USA War Law Human Rights … up again following the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, when Israel first assumed control of the …
The uprooting and cutting down of over a million olive and fruit trees in occupied Palestine since 1967 is an attack on a symbol of life, and on Palestinian culture and survival, writes Dr. Cesar Chelala. A grave crime under international humantarian law, the arboricide is also contrary to Jewish religious teachings.
… Middle East Farming Forests Law Human Rights War olive-tree-woman-cut.jpg The uprooting and … the "starvation of civilians as a method of warfare" . It states: "It is prohibited to … is found in the Torah: "Even if you are at war with a city ... you must not destroy its …
Britain's long-suffering nuclear bomb test veterans have once again had justice denied to them, writes Chris Busby, by a shocking piece of judicial chicanery in London's High Court in which the judge whimsically excluded all the scientific evidence that did not suit the Ministry of Defence. But the veterans' fight for justice and scientific truth continues, facing its next test in the Court of Appeal.
… the Ministry of Defence's refusal to grant war service pensions to men who attended … publications. Can you imagine? From 2004 onward I was the expert witness in several … from eminent scientists - Professors Vyvyan Howard, Inge Schmitz-Feuerhake, Malcolm Hooper …
Little publicised government plans to 'reform' court costs are intended to foreclose access to environmental justice for all but the wealthiest individuals and communities, writes Paul Mobbs. Meanwhile cuts to agencies and regulators will make it ever harder for them to do their jobs - making public participation in environmental protection all the more important.
… struggle against Hitler in the Second World War, he continued this theme by stating: " ... … this country is in the economic equivalent of war today and we need the same spirit. We need … of getting the defendant's full costs awarded against them without any cap; the …
In 1975 Indonesia invaded the small Pacific country of East Timor, writes John Pilger, and then massacred a third of its population to suppress demands for independence. Now unearthed documents show the genocide was supported by Australia so it could grab the oil and gas reserves of the Timor Sea. Despite East Timor's independence, won in 1999, Australia is still stealing its oil and gas revenues worth $5 billion and counting.
… Indonesia USA Pacific Oil Law Human Rights War timor-leste-cut.jpg In 1975 Indonesia … British consulate in Surabaya, and British warships escorted a ship full of Indonesian … largely on Australia's terms. Soon afterwards, Prime Minister Mari Alkitiri, a …
Oliver Tickell met Polly Higgins, remarkable campaigner and founder of Mission Lifeforce, shortly before she died this month.
… W Bush's front man, justifying the Iraq war on British TV and radio. Last September … just part of the story about how we move forward. Bolton's main thrust is anti-ICC. But … Protectors is like Conscientious Objectors in war. They are attempting to protect society at …