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 | … War Society Religion Indigenous Peoples Culture Law colombia-cut.jpg The 'war on … and their ancestral traditions. "Coca is our culture and our identity" , Bolivia's …
China's domestic ivory trade ban, which comes into force this year, is a major cause for optimism, writes Aron White. There are still loopholes, such as a partial exemption for 'cultural relics', that need clarifying and closing. Yet the new law sends a strong and timely signal that the global ivory market is progressively shutting up shop.
… elephant ivory has ceased, the Department of Culture shall guide the transition of the …
Plastic is ubiquitous around the world's oceans, writes Lesley Henderson, but although it's visible from space, it can be surprisingly elusive in the water - as she heard from Jo Ruxton, producer of the investigative documentary 'A Plastic Ocean'. Solutions to this growing hazard have also proved elusive to date, hence the film's strong focus on action: educational, cultural and legal.
… Comment Oceans Waste Pollution Ecology Health Culture Law jo-ruxton1-cut.jpg Plastic is …
On World Day of Indigenous Resistance, Wayúu woman ANGELICA ORITZ shares her experience as a human rights defender, living and fighting for the future of her community in the shadow of the largest opencast mine in Colombia
… If they did discover our lands and our cultures, then they also found out the ways to … submission. Today is about remembering those cultures and peoples whose resistance wasn't … water and food. It is where we pass on our culture and knowledge. It is where we practice …
An African movement for Earth-centred living and governance, founded in traditional cultures, is growing across the continent, writes HANNIBAL RHOADES. Meet the newly graduated Earth Jurisprudence practitioners helping a revival to flourish
… living and governance, founded in traditional cultures, is growing across the continent, … many challenges in practicing traditional cultures that protect Nature. They are often … Nature through the eyes of these traditional cultures, this is what brings us back to …
The struggle for collective rights unites all Indigenous peoples from North America to Palestine, writes Sarah Marusek - as does their common narrative of resistance to colonialism, imperialism and capitalism.
… the collective aspects of Native American cultures, the US has become more effective at …
Last week BP's Peter Mather - who claims to have 'green and yellow oil' flowing in his veins - took to the airwaves on Radio 4's The Bottom Line'. Evan Davies asked some tough questions, writes Chris Garrard - but failed to mention the shocking case of Colombian trades unionist Gilberto Torres, kidnapped and tortured for 42 days by paramilitaries employed by BP's joint venture partner.
BBC fails to challenge BP arts sponsorship chief on kidnap and torture allegations Chris Garrard Art Not Oil | 26th October 2015 Activism Oil Arts Human Rights Colombia UK Corporations …
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.
… on a symbol of life, and on Palestinian culture and survival, writes Dr. Cesar … tree is an essential aspect of Palestinian culture, heritage and identity, and has been …
Naomi Salmon argues that human rights law can - and should - have a crucial role in the fight to green our food systems ...
… well-being. It also neatly lifts food and agriculture out of the mire of destructive … the next general election GREEN LIVING Permaculture and Biodynamics: sustainable systems … a new momentum in the biodynamic and permaculture movement brought by young enthusiasts …
Five international judges say Monsanto's activities have negatively affected individuals, communities and biodiversity, writes Claire Robinson. The Monsanto Tribunal's damning ruling denounces the company's harmful impacts on food sovereignty, agricultural production, access to nutrition, the natural environment, seed diversity, climate change, pollution and traditional cultural practices.
… to save seeds. Since the advent of agriculture thousands of years ago, farmers have … denied farmers the ability to practice agriculture according to their traditional … of dangerous agrochemicals in industrial agriculture; the production and release of …
For Saskatchewan, uranium is an important part of the economy, but for the province's indigenous peoples, the land is everything. It is filled with relationships between beings who dwell together in an interconnected web. Their traditional ecological knowledge is not just a set of terms or data, but a deep, broadly-viewed reality which contains systematic respect for all creation.
… of Traditional Knowledge and First Nations cultures, beliefs and spiritual … of Traditional Knowledge and First Nations cultures, beliefs and spiritual understanding. …
The exuberance of childhood celebrated in books such as Just William is now frowned upon as inappropriate behaviour, resulting in more and more children being prescribed behavioural drugs. Rachel Ragg investigates
… Health Medicine Drugs Pharmaceuticals Play Culture Control Children Drugs Organics … behaviour has indeed been affected by our culture and environment; which in turn affects … also subjected to a highly consumer-driven culture which is almost created to produce …
Australian governments have long waged a one-sided war on the continent's Aboriginal peoples, writes John Pilger. And now a new weapon has come into play: the starvation of the most remote, culturally intact communities. It's all part of a multi-faceted program of physical and cultural annihilation. And yet the world is silent.
… self-determination and connection to land and culture and, as Amnesty reported, a 40% lower …
Australia's deliberate and calculated attacks on its indigenous population carry many of the hallmarks of genocide, writes John Pilger. And things are getting worse, not better, as states that have grown rich by exploiting Aboriginal land evict and demolish remote Aboriginal communities.
… self-determination and connection to land and culture and, as Amnesty reported, a 40% lower …
There is a growing global movement to recognise the rights of rivers, writes Debadityo Sinha. But rights alone are not enough. We must love and respect rivers, and even think like rivers to understand the vital functions they perform within landscapes and ecosystems, and so discover where their 'best interests' truly lie. And then we must be willing to act: protecting rivers and restoring them to health and wholeness.
To discover the 'rights of a river', first think like a river Debadityo Sinha | 22nd May 2017 Comment Water Natural World Law narmada-cut.jpg There is a growing global movement to recognise the …
From the next Erin Brokovitch, to a group of teens cleaning up Kenya's Kibera slum, a clutch of innovative youth film-makers are documenting crucial issues and demanding social and environmental justice
… to drink but as a central element to their culture. As the water is diverted by pipeline … water. ‘We don't want what's left of our culture to be taken away too. We think about …
A huge hotel development has been built on a pristine beach belonging to the 'Amis, one of Taiwan's indigenous tribes, despite numerous court rulings confirming its illegality. Glenn Smith met 'Amis campaigner Sinsing, whose fight for justice began when the government handed out eviction notices to her community - and will continue until the hotel is razed and the beach restored.
… concerning land rights or our tribe or our culture. But now the issue of 'identity' is … to be one and the same. An attack on our culture What other impacts has the Miramar Resort Hotel had on your culture? Here there's a lot that can be said. …
Campaigners who dared confront the might of the US's nuclear weapons establishment, in the process revealing the chronic insecurity of its facilities, are paying a heavy price, writes Michael Edwards. But their strength, serenity and joy in the face of brutal injustice brings hope to the world for a just and peaceful future.
… ), to the militaristic policies of nations. A culture of violence has taken over the US For … of the prison system. Both stem from a culture of violence in the USA which is … we shall, overcome Just as important, this culture of violence can be systematically …
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.
ICC to prosecute environmental crimes for profit John Vidal Owen Bowcott Guardian Environment | 21st September 2016 News Law Human Rights Land Grabs rohingya-cut.jpg The International Criminal Court …
The neoliberal model of 'development' is ravaging nature and pitting communities and eco-defenders against powerful corporations and colluding police and military forces. The violence must stop!
… violations against environmental defenders. A culture of impunity and collusion Corporate …
Landfill sites, giant hog farms, incinerators and other 'bad neighbor' industries in the US tend to be situated in African American communities, writes Heather Kathryn Ross. The Environmental Protection Agency is legally obliged to prevent 'environmental racism', but from California to Michigan, low-income communities of color have been waiting years for it to take a stand. Now, backed by Earthjustice, they are forcing the issue - in the courts.
… Title VI complaints. EPA lacks a civil rights culture' According to Engelman Lado, … well-meaning EPA staffers are trapped by a culture that doesn't make resolving civil …
Oxford Council's Executive Board meets today to decide whether to criminalise 'noncompliant' busking, pavement art, cycling and other activities in the City's vibrant public spaces, punishable with a £1,000 fine. Jonny Walker wrote them this Open Letter.
… have the effect of criminalising grassroots culture and creating arbitrary criminal … policies that create a vibrant street culture which welcomes artists and musicians. …