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<DIV><B>From:</B> <A title=edavid@simnet.is href="mailto:edavid@simnet.is">Elias
Davidsson</A><STRONG>, Iceland</STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><BR>Judith is right about the
inflationary point for the $1/d MDG. The whole exercise stinks. For human
dignity is not measured by dollars, but the capacity of people to live in
dignity. <BR><BR>I have proposed - elsewhere - that the absolute minimum of
human dignity be defined as the norms applicable to prisoners of war. This might
sound strange to some. However, if you read the norms agreed by most States
regarding the conditions of life for POW (in the Geneva Conventions), you'll
find a very detailed list of the type and quality of food, water, clothing,
accomodation, facilities for learning and sport, etc. Similar, though less
binding norms have been adopted by the UNGA for general incarcerated persons,
which also require penitentiory facilities to ensure minimal standards of
existence to their population. <BR><BR>I contend that these minimal standards -
which are even applicable to convicted murderers - are the absolute minimum that
any human being should be accorded, regardless of monetary value. <BR><BR>One
may, however, contend that standards for innocent (non-convicted) persons should
be higher. But even if the standard on prisoners would be used, it would be
substantially higher than those discussed today in alleviating
poverty.<BR><BR></DIV></BODY></HTML>