PDF of IV 445 for download
Call to action – Reclaiming our future: Rio +20 and Beyond
27 February 2012, byOn 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.”
Against the Rule of Capital; For the General Strike
27 February 2012, byThe 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.
Condemn the killings of CPI(M) activists, stand up for democratic rights for all
27 February 2012, byPradip 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
Coup bid reveals extremism within
26 February 2012, byBangladesh’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.
Occupy, longshore workers challenge anti-union bosses
25 February 2012, byTime 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.”
Hunger is man-made and man can unmake it
25 February 2012, by ,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.
Face the enemy in unity or back the chauvinists and perish
24 February 2012, byPro 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.
From despair to resistance
21 February 2012, byOn 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.
In defence of the Ultras: their message and our response – Egyptian Revolutionary Socialists on the football stadium massacre
20 February 2012, byWhat message was the crime committed against the Ahly Ultras—that killed more than 75 martyrs—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”—was it meant to confirm that those responsible for that battle still have their influence and power and can commit new crimes?
