International Viewpoint - online socialist magazine

IV445 - February 2012 PDF

robm — 2012-02-29T21:20:00Z

PDF of IV 445 for download

- IV445 - February 2012 / PDF

Call to action – Reclaiming our future: Rio +20 and Beyond

Via Campesina — 2012-02-27T09:17:30Z

On 20-22 June 2012, governments from around the world will gather in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to commemorate 20 years of the “Earth Summit”, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) that first established a global agenda for “sustainable development”. During the 1992 summit, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CDB), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) and the Convention to Combat Desertification, were all adopted. The Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) was also established to ensure effective follow-up of the UNCED “Earth Summit.”

- IV445 - February 2012 / Ecology and the Environment

Against the Rule of Capital; For the General Strike

Radical Socialist — 2012-02-27T08:24:17Z

The industrial strike initially called for 28 February is all set to become a general strike. For the last two years, the UPA government has virtually refused even to negotiate with workers and their unions over any issue. Meanwhile, working class militancy has been picking up after a long period. In India, only about seven per cent of the working class is organised. Demands for union recognition have been at the heart of a number of struggles, especially in certain sectors such as the growing automobile sector. Bank employees, coal miners, forest workers (unorganised till recently, and not recognised as part of the working class by the government) and a variety of others have entered the lists with their own demands.

- IV445 - February 2012 / India, Trade unions/workplace organizing

Condemn the killings of CPI(M) activists, stand up for democratic rights for all

Radical Socialist — 2012-02-27T08:22:06Z

Pradip Ta and Kamal Gayen, two Burdwan district CPI(M) leaders, the former an ex-Member of the Legislative Assembly, were killed as the result of an armed attack by Trinamul Congress forces, in a clear case of mob lynching. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has immediately announced (it is her habit to announce immediately, without waiting for investigations by her own police force) that the real issue was factional conflicts in the CPI(M). She has also let us know that there were many criminal cases against Ta

- IV445 - February 2012

Coup bid reveals extremism within

Naimul Haq — 2012-02-26T14:35:39Z

Bangladesh's army has won paludits as leading United Nations peacekeepers, but the January coup attempt against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government has exposed lurking religious extremism within its ranks.

- IV445 - February 2012 / Bangladesh

Occupy, longshore workers challenge anti-union bosses

Jeff Mackler — 2012-02-25T14:11:13Z

Time Magazine designated its “Person of the Year 2011” as “The Protestor.” To make clear that its reference was to what the editors considered the most important development of the year, Time added to its cover-page headline: “From the Arab Spring to Athens, from Occupy Wall Street to Moscow.” Its feature story began, “No one could have known that when a Tunisian fruit vendor set himself on fire in a public square, it would have ignited protests that would topple dictators and start a global wave of dissent. In 2011 protestors didn't just voice their complaints, they changed the world.”

- IV445 - February 2012 / United States (USA), Trade unions/workplace organizing, Global Justice

Hunger is man-made and man can unmake it

Éric Toussaint, Jean Ziegler — 2012-02-25T09:06:51Z

Jean Ziegler interviewed by Éric Toussaint on the occasion of the release of his last book: Destruction massive, géopolitique de la faim, Éditions du Seuil, Paris, 2012.

- IV445 - February 2012 / Food crisis

Face the enemy in unity or back the chauvinists and perish

Vickramabahu Karunarathne — 2012-02-24T08:18:04Z

Pro government trade union leaders claim that a certain group of people backed by International Non Government Organizations is conspiring against the country, when it is on the right track for development after 30 years of protracted war. They say that these elements are acting with ulterior motives to reverse the achievements made by the country in the aftermath of the conflict.

- IV445 - February 2012 / Sri Lanka

From despair to resistance

Panayotis Sotiris — 2012-02-21T11:31:28Z

On Sunday 12 February 2012 the people of Greece, in demonstrations and street fights all over the country expressed in a massive, collective and heroic way their anger against the terms of the new loan agreement dictated by the EU-ECB-IMF Troika. Workers, youths, students filled the streets with rage, defying the extreme aggression by police forces, setting another example of struggle and solidarity.

- IV445 - February 2012

In defence of the Ultras: their message and our response – Egyptian Revolutionary Socialists on the football stadium massacre

Revolutionary Socialists of Eygpt — 2012-02-20T08:26:05Z

What message was the crime committed against the Ahly Ultrasâ€”that killed more than 75 martyrsâ€”meant to deliver? Was it to punish the forces and groups that ?participated in the revolution and that still continue to oppose the SCAF [The ruling army council]? This crime occurred on the anniversary of the “Battle of the Camel”â€”was it meant to confirm that those responsible for that battle still have their influence and power and can commit new crimes?

- IV445 - February 2012 / Egypt, Arab Revolutions