Sarawak's lucrative logging industry has given rise to dynasties of enormous wealth and political power, writes Chris Lang, as revealed in this courageous investigation by Lukas Straumann. And the kingpin is multi-billionaire Abdul Taib Mahmud, Chief Minister of Sarawak for 33 years, whose whose property empire spans the globe.
… Money Logging: Corruption, power and the destruction of … has profited from illegal timber sales and corruption. Straumann singles out Taib as "the … using his profit from logging to feed corruption and finally having 'liquidated a …
Indonesia appears to brought rainforest logging under control - but it's all a huge illusion, according to a new EIA report. Traditional logging has been replaced by the mass clearance of rainforest for oil palm plantations, creating massive supplies of hugely profitable but often illegal timber. And lurking beneath the surface is a pervasive network of criminality and corruption.
… is a pervasive network of criminality and corruption. In November 2014, the newly … have been undermined by a combination of corruption and incompetence, resulting in the … face of illegal logging in Indonesia today. Corruption is a key obstacle to enforcement, …
Democracy campaigner Donnachadh McCarthy is in court tomorrow tomorrow on a fictitious charge of 'assault against a security guard in Parliament Square'. But his real offence was to expose the corruption at the heart of the Lib-Dems, with the sale of peerages by political parties for around £300,000. And now the CPS is trying to deny him a fair trial.
… But his real offence was to expose the corruption at the heart of the Lib-Dems, with … I was giving a Livestream interview about how corruption works in Britain's political system … a series of measures aimed at cleaning up the corruption and dishonesty I found at the heart …
Italian prosecutors have raided Shell's offices to investigate the suspicious acquisition of a huge offshore oil field in Nigeria, writes Vanessa Amaral-Rogers. The oil block, sold by the Government for $20 million to a shell company owned by the oil minister, was later acquired for $1.1 billion by Shell and Eni.
… Public Prosecutor's office for 'international corruption' offences. The alleged offences are … with Nigerian activist Dotun Oloko and anti-corruption campaigners at Re:Common and Corner … and Eni have always denied knowledge of the corruption at the heart of this deal, but …
The British establishment does nothing quite so well as lies, cover-ups and high-level corruption, writes Georgina Downs - whether it's the Hillsborough disaster or permitting polluters to poison us. Georgina won her own High Court legal victory protecting rural residents from pesticide exposure as long ago as 2008 - only to have it snatched away as Court of Appeal judges closed ranks.
… pesticides: establishment cover-ups, lies and corruption Georgina Downs | 4th May 2016 News … so well as lies, cover-ups and high-level corruption, writes Georgina Downs - whether … of all the establishment cover ups, lies, corruption, false narratives, and simply not …
It was all going so well for Chevron - a New York court had ruled that a $9.5 billion judgment against it set by Ecuador's supreme court for massive pollution deep in the Amazon was corrupt and fraudulent. But then its star witness broke ranks and admitted, in another court, that he had lied, and the only bribes were coming from Chevron. Will Ecuador's pollution victims finally get justice?
… fabricating an elaborate story of bribery, corruption and ghostwriting to strike back. … more thorough evidence rebutting Chevron's corruption allegations ... There's a very real …
Sanctions against Russian natural resource tycoons could be good for the environment, writes eco-campaigner Konstantin Rubakhin - if only they would target the right people. But so far, the EU has been turning a blind eye to powerful Kremlin insiders with an open licence to pollute and destroy.
… into places unsuitable for human life. Corruption has really stopped Russia … into places unsuitable for human life. Corruption is practically the main export of … conflict is a consequence of this total corruption. Because of this, it is better to …
A growing protest movement is demanding strong controls on international investors and logging companies buying up Romania's forests, writes Raluca Besliu. In its sights is Austria-based Schweighofer, which stands accused of criminal malpractice and accepting illegal timber shipments. The popular outrage stirred up by corporate misdeeds is now stimulating a wider democratic revival.
… of the investigation files from the Anti-Corruption Agency. The law may also cost …
Just as Indonesia's forests are going up in flames, in part as a result of illegal logging on a massive scale, the country's Trade Minister has issued a regulation that would rubber stamp exports of illegal timber - also undermining a timber agreement with the EU that's due to come into force next month.
… Independent Forest Monitoring Network (JPIK) Corruption in high places coud derail flagship …
A constitutional amendment that would allow 'strategic' public works including dams, roads, mines and other mega-projects to go ahead following the mere completion of an environmental impact assessment is being considered by a Committee of the Brazilian Senate, writes Helle Abelvik-Lawson.
… cabinet ministers are themselves embroiled in corruption allegations within the 'Lava Jato' corruption probe - and Temer is himself facing …
Gigantic global corporations are seizing ever more power, writes Aisha Dodwell, as they reshape the world to serve their quest for profit: corrupting politicians, subverting governments, and breaking international law on labour, environment and human rights with impunity. We need a new UN Treaty to force corporations to act within international law - wherever they may be.
Corporations rule the world? Not quite. But we must stop them while we still can! Aisha Dodwell Global Justice Now | 13th September 2016 Activism Law Un Corporations g4s-cut.jpg Gigantic global …
Industrial logging in the world's second largest rainforest is out of control, writes Raoul Monsembula, and spells disaster for both wildlife and forest people. There is an alternative: community forestry has just been enshrined in law. But resources must be committed to law enforcement in Congo and abroad, and to empowering forest communities.
… available on permits, production and exports. Corruption is endemic and it appears that …
Spain's Coto Doñana shows the value of EU conservation law, writes Laurence Rose, as the UK tries to get rid of the Birds and Habitats Directives. Both have proved essential to the protection and restoration of one of Europe's greatest wetlands.
… Add in some good old-fashioned allegations of corruption and the media began to take …
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.
… of land in the past 10 years. The anti-corruption campaigners Global Witness say this …
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?
… office was characterised by privatisation, corruption, and repression. Amapola says that … bring greater peace and stability and lessen corruption. Social justice requires a profound …
The Labour Party has launched a new manifesto for wildlife protection, writes Angus Nurse - and a good thing too! But turning the tide for nature will take more than stricter laws and penalties. Ultimately it's about enforcement. And that means prioritising wildlife crime, committing expert officers, and providing resources.
… within the UK. It is also an area where corruption and the involvement of organised …
The rushed passage of the Infrastructure Bill with all its pro-fracking provisions and toothless 'safeguards' is an abuse of democracy. And as it's manifestly against the national and public interest, it's also in breach of both MPs' and Lords' legally binding Codes of Conduct. Now Jojo Mehta intends to hold them to account - in Court.
Fracking: MPs and Lords have derelicted their legal duties - now they must pay the price! Jojo Mehta | 26th February 2015 Activism Law Politics Fracking UK Pollution Water Oil Gas …
The organizers of tomorrow's International Monsanto Tribunal describe it as a 'moral trial', while the company dismisses it as a 'mock trial' and 'stunt'. The truth, writes Pete Dolack, is that it's about much more than this one company. On trial is the entire neoliberal system of 'free market' finance and monopoly capitalism.
… regulators and government authorities, lying, corruption, commissioning bogus scientific …
While other countries apply themselves to environmental challenges from climate change to nature protection, Russia - with its massive wealth of nature and natural resources - is stubbornly refusing to take part, writes Lucy E J Woods. And as the economy declines, the pressure is on: to ignore environmental regulations, and clamp down on environmental defenders.
… says Tchouprov, "goes immediately to the next corruption scheme. This is the reality. Russia …
This month the UN is meeting to enact binding global rules on the conduct of business and transnational corporations, writes Sam Cossar-Gilbert, reversing the trend for increasing business empowerment in TTP, TTIP and TISA. The new UN Human Rights Treaty aims to provide justice for the victims of corporate criminality anywhere in the world.
… corporate crimes go unpunished due to the corruption of local legal systems and the fact …
India's Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee stands accused of Contempt of Court for evading Supreme Court orders to carry out full biosafety tests on GM crops and publish its data, writes Colin Todhunter. The immediate issue is a herbicide tolerant GM mustard now approved for large scale trials, while earlier findings remain under an impenetrable veil of official secrecy.
India's top GMO regulator's 'Contempt of Court' over GM mustard trials Colin Todhunter | 15th December 2015 News GMOs Law India Farming Biodiversity Regulation mustard2-cut.jpg India's Genetic …
The COP20 host, Peru's President Humala, certainly talked the talk on indigenous rights last September when he signed a $300 million deal with Norway. But his violations of indigenous rights, 'hands off' approach to murders of indigenous leaders and recent unguarded comments betray his true sentiments.
… a decade; poor law enforcement and pervasive corruption that is allowing illegal logging to …
Far from creating a 'level playing field' for business, TTIP favours foreign corporations over domestic ones - while undermining governments' right to legislate for public health, safety and wellbeing. Australia got the message in 2011 after being sued for its anti-smoking policies - now Europe must catch up!
TTIP threatens EU nations with corporate weapons of mass destruction Kevin Albertson | 10th November 2014 Comment Trade EU US Australia Law Health Corporations australia-cigs-cut.jpg Far from …