06 March 2007

By Henri Myrttinen

Overall Situation

The situation in Dili continues to be defined by the on-going violence, which tends to fluctuate in terms of its intensity and the stated reasons for it seem to change with time. What a year ago was a conflict within the security forces became a sectarian loro monu/loro sa’e conflict, this then morphed into fights between various gangs, most notably PSHT vs. 7-7. During the course of the approximately 3 weeks which I ... read more

Februrary 2007

Dear Minister,

OVER 160 ENVIRONMENTAL, DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL ORGANISATIONS CALL UPON THE EU TO ABANDON BIOFUEL TARGETS.

In the build up to the EU Council meeting of Energy Ministers on February 14th, we are writing to you to highlight the concern of many organisations worldwide about proposed EU targets for biofuels. We are calling on you and your government to reject the proposal for EU-wide targets for biofuel use. At the time of writing over 160 organisations from Europe and the ... read more

31 January 2007

Open Letter

To: The Council of the European Union, the European Commission, the European Parliament, and citizens in Europe

We are extremely concerned by the plans as presented by the European Commission to adopt a mandatory target for biofuel use in transport. Implementing these measures means that the EU will risk breaching its international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect biodiversity and human rights; because, as set out below – the proposed targets will amongst other things ... read more

January 15th, 2007

Aide-Mémoire 4th Session of the UN Human Rights Council 12th March to 6th April 2007

Impunity

Impunity remains one of the key issues concerning Indonesia’s human rights record. There has been no progress regarding prosecution and trial of gross violations of human rights. Impunity is still enjoyed by those responsible for the 1999 violence in East Timor, despite repeated unambiguous demands and recommendations on the part of UN organs. This is above all the report of the Commission ... read more

Berlin, January 3, 2007

Dear Madam, dear Sir,

on January 10th, 2007, the European Commission is going to make an announcement about the review of the Biomass Action Plan and the European Biofuel Directive.

In December 2006, the European Parliament recognized that the lack of clear environmental standards and safeguards could have significant negative effects, such as an increase in tropical deforestation, agriculture intensification and biodiversity losses in Europe and abroad, while failing to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

For producer countries like ... read more