"United Nations instructs Canada to suspend Site C dam construction over Indigenous rights violations," 9 Jan 2019 In a rare rebuke, the United Nations has instructed Canada to suspend construction of the Site C dam on B.C.’s Peace River until the project obtains the “free, prior and informed consent” of Indigenous peoples. Canada has until April 8 to […]

Right now, as Canadians, it’s impossible for us to be informed consumers because of a lack of supply chain transparency. We need to demand better from the companies we buy from, and from our government. We need legislation to end all forms of child labour... The House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development […]

"It's time for a bill of data rights," 14 Dec 2018 ... “Data ownership” is a flawed, counterproductive way of thinking about data. It not only does not fix existing problems; it creates new ones. Instead, we need a framework that gives people rights to stipulate how their data is used without requiring them to take ownership of it […]

“Organizaciones acuerdan paro indefinido en Hualgayoc contra la contaminación minera”- 16 de enero de 2019 A raíz de la fuga de líquidos que trajo consigo relaves desde las operaciones mineras de la empresa Gold Fields ocurrida a mediados del mes de diciembre, las principales organizaciones sociales de la provincia de Hualgayoc como rondas campesinas y […]

“El letargo de la institucionalidad ambiental para cerrar definitivamente Pascua Lama” – 18 de enero de 2019 El proceso de fiscalización y sanción de Pascua Lama ha sido largo y lento. Actualmente se encuentra aún pendiente a la espera de que el Primer Tribunal Ambiental se pronuncie en relación a la reclamación presentada por la […]

Protect the Protest, an international task force of over 20 organizations working to protect free speech, is calling on the U.N. Human Rights Committee to address the growing trend of corporations and individuals in the United States using Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) to silence free speech. The task force filed a recommendation on […]

...Suggested Recommendations   1.Adopt federal anti-SLAPP legislation with provisions to:  a. Ensure the rapid dismissal (with prejudice) of lawsuits targeting Constitutionally protected free speech that is made in the public interest. b. Enable defendants to recover attorney fees and other costs from SLAPP plaintiffs. c. Automatically stay discovery until the Court rules on the anti-SLAPP […]

"Gillette #MeToo razors ad on 'toxic masculinity' gets praise - and abuse," 15 Jan 2019 Shaving company Gillette has been bombarded with both praise and abuse after launching an advertising campaign promoting a new kind of positive masculinity... The advertisement features news clips of reporting on the #MeToo movement, as well as images showing sexism in […]

Im März 2018 hat die Europäische Kommission einen Aktionsplan für ein nachhaltiges Finanzwesen vorgelegt. Der Aktionsplan ist Teil der EU-Bemühungen, durch ein nachhaltiges Finanzwesen den Klimaschutz und eine nachhaltige Entwicklung zu unterstützen, sowie ein wichtiger Schritt bei der Umsetzung des Übereinkommens von Paris und der EU-Agenda für nachhaltige Entwicklung. Im Mai 2018 hat die Kommission […]

General Council Chair Junichi Ihara of Japan has appointed Amb. David Walker of New Zealand to assist him in working with WTO members to resolve differences on the urgent matter of the functioning of the organization’s Appellate Body.

The government of Lithuania is contributing EUR 20,000 (approximately CHF 23,000) in 2019 to help developing countries and least-developed countries (LDCs) increase their participation in multilateral trade negotiations.

Venezuela has requested WTO dispute consultations with Colombia regarding certain Colombian measures affecting the distribution of liquid fuels. Venezuela’s request was circulated to WTO members on 14 January.

On 11 January 2019, the Philippines notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had decided to initiate on 20 December 2018 a safeguard investigation on ceramic floor and wall tiles.

At a meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) on 11 January, WTO members considered a request from the United States for the establishment of a panel to rule on additional duties levied by Turkey on certain US imports. WTO members also formally adopted panel and Appellate Body rulings concerning tax measures in Brazil used […]

Online registration for the 16th WIPO-WTO colloquium for teachers of intellectual property (IP) is now open. The colloquium, which will take place in Geneva from 17 to 27 June 2019, aims at helping teachers from developing countries and economies in transition to become more aware of the Geneva institutions, negotiations and other activities concerning intellectual […]

Thailand filed an appeal on 9 January concerning the WTO compliance panel report in the case brought by the Philippines in “Thailand — Customs and Fiscal Measures on Cigarettes from the Philippines (Article 21.5 — Philippines)” (DS371). The compliance panel report was circulated to WTO members on 12 November 2018.

Venezuela has requested WTO dispute consultations with the United States regarding US measures affecting goods and services of Venezuelan origin. Venezuela’s request was circulated to WTO members on 8 January.

On 7 January 2019, Madagascar notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had decided to initiate on 31 December 2018 a safeguard investigation on detergent powder.

On 3 January 2019, Turkey notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it initiated on 30 December 2018 a safeguard investigation on yarn of nylon or other polyamides.

After the Government's Brexit deal was defeated in the House of Commons on January 15, Open Europe's Anna Nadibaidze, Zoe Alipranti and Pieter Cleppe take a look at European reactions to the 'meaningful vote'.The post We regret and we need more clarity: European reactions to the ‘meaningful vote’ appeared first on Open Europe.

Speaking to BBC News alongside Conservative MP Bernard Jenkin after the 'meaningful vote' on January 15, Open Europe's Henry Newman warns about the prospect of Brexit being put at risk.The post People who love Brexit the most are now risking it appeared first on Open Europe.

Open Europe's Anna Nadibaidze spoke to TRT World before the UK Parliament's vote on the Brexit deal on January 15, saying that to give further clarifications, the EU need to be sure they will help the deal pass in the House of Commons.The post The EU needs clarity from the UK Government appeared first on […]

Speaking to Al Jazeera English ahead of the UK Parliament's vote on the Brexit deal, Open Europe's Dominic Walsh says it would be difficult for the Prime Minister to bring back the deal without tweaking it.The post Difficult to see how May can bring the deal back without any changes appeared first on Open Europe.

Open Europe's Aarti Shankar spoke to TRT World News ahead of the UK Parliament's 'meaningful vote' on the Brexit deal, outlining the paths ahead.The post The main difficulty for a Brexit Plan B is unclarity about what Parliament wants appeared first on Open Europe.

The Government recently published a paper on Northern Ireland setting out a range of commitments on the backstop. Open Europe's David Shiels examines the proposals as well as the response from the EU.The post The Government’s paper on Northern Ireland appeared first on Open Europe.

MPs from across the political spectrum have denounced the Brexit deal, but their proposed alternatives are not without their problems. Open Europe’s Dominic Walsh argues that the deal’s critics in Parliament should consider key questions about the alternatives ahead of the vote.The post Questions to put to opponents of the Brexit deal appeared first on […]

The government has suggested it could accept an amendment by Labour MPs to protect social, employment and environmental standards after Brexit. Open Europe's Aarti Shankar examines what this means and how it might affect MPs support for the Prime Minister's deal.The post Accepting Labour MPs’ amendment sends a useful political signal appeared first on Open […]

Open Europe's Aarti Shankar argues that the UK cannot easily 'suspend' the Brexit process to buy time.The post ‘Suspending’ Article 50: What options does the UK have? appeared first on Open Europe.

Interviewed by Euronews on January 7, Open Europe's Pieter Cleppe discussed the chances of the Brexit deal passing the UK House of Commons.The post Brexit deal could pass with relatively modest changes appeared first on Open Europe.