For too long, economic and development actors – supported by governments, and bolstered by academics and the corporate press – have claimed that there are no links between economics, human rights, and political issues. In fact, there’s no separation between commercial and financial issues, and the protection and well-being of human beings and the environment.

The recent spate of global activism has successfully challenged the reigning development model, favored by banks, corporations, mutual funds, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and World Trade Organization (WTO). But it’s also critical of an international human rights movement dominated by organizations based mainly in the North. read more

"The International Criminal Court promises, at last, to supply what has for so long been the missing link in the international legal system, a permanent court to judge the crimes of gravest concern to the international community as a whole:  genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes."   – KOfi Annan, Secretary-General, United Nations

The Washington and Seattle demonstrations have shown the need for radical reform, for justice to oppressed peoples, and judgment on the institutions that cause the global proliferation of human misery and environmental decimation.  The International Criminal Court will investigate and prosecute violations of international humanitarian law, war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and environmental destruction as part of war crimes. Although the US has not yet endorsed the formation of the ICC American policy makers need to hear the voice of their constituency that claims for global justice. read more

Over the past 10 years, popular and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have markedly increased their influence in global decision-making. Now these groups are coming together to forge a common agenda, put recommendations on the table, and take united action to solve our common problems.

From April 2-8, for example, the inaugural session for a permanent Global People’s Assembly (GPA) will be held in Apia, Samoa. The momentum has been building for many years. The Millennium People’s Assembly Network (MPAN) held five sessions during the Hague Appeal for Peace Conference, with some 30 delegations attending. A Provisional Delegates Council was formed to move ahead with planning between meetings of the GPA. read more

Over a century ago, the "last" Tasmanian aborigines – a sailor named William Lanny and a woman named Truganami – became objects of scientific curiosity as the only remaining representatives of their race. Upon his death, Lanny’s body was exhumed, dismembered, and mutilated by scientists from the prestigious Royal Society of Surgeons. They crept into the morgue and graveyard in the dead of night, stealing various parts until "there was nothing left but blood and fat upon the floor." read more

When the Pentagon’s plan to inoculate all 2.4 million US service men, women, and reservists with an obscure anthrax vaccine surfaced almost three years ago, few people anticipated the opposition that would emerge. During an environmental review period, "public comments" submitted by veterans’ rights group Citizen Soldier and others raised questions about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, previously used by only a small number of workers, and urged that independent civilian scientists and groups be allowed to participate in studies. Typically, the Pentagon ignored these suggestions, preferring to storm ahead on its own. read more