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<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><font size=5
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:16.0pt;font-weight:
bold'>NGO HUMAN RIGHTS CAUCUS<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:
bold'>Hong Kong Deal on Collision Course with Human Rights<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>Hong Kong, December 19, 2005</span></font></i><span
lang=EN-GB>: The WTO deal reached in <st1:place w:st="on">Hong Kong</st1:place>
yesterday will rollback the enjoyment of human rights around the world, says a
coalition of more than 50 human rights and other NGOs. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'>This failure to achieve a true development outcome is
a direct consequence of the WTO members’ refusal to acknowledge the
impact of trade policy on human rights. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Despite the announcement of a “development
package,” the agreement further restricts the policy space required for
national governments to implement their human rights obligations, which are
integral to development.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Many developing countries have complained of political
pressure exerted by developed country capitals to give further concessions on
services and non-agricultural market access (NAMA) in exchange for a limited
compromise on agriculture and an illusory deal on access to medicines.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Developing countries are being forced to choose
between putting food on the table and providing adequate healthcare for their
people, Caucus members emphasized. Access to adequate food, health and
education are all human rights and must not become bargaining chips in a power
game between unequal players.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'>These flaws in the decision-making process reflect the
need for greater participation, accountability and transparency at the WTO.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'>The Human Rights Caucus demands that a full
independent human rights assessment of contentious issues be undertaken before
any new negotiation session are scheduled, including an assessment of the
international human rights obligations of developed countries.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Contact:<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Elin Wrzoncki (+852) 9748 6959<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Esther Bares (+852) 6307 5937<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>Full text of the statement of the
Human Rights Caucus, with endorsements, is available in English, French and
Spanish at </span></font></i><span lang=EN-GB><a href="http://www.dd-rd.ca/"><i><span
style='font-style:italic'>www.dd-rd.ca</span></i></a><i><span style='font-style:
italic'><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Davinia Ovett</span></font><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Programme Officer</span></font><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>3D -> Trade - Human Rights - Equitable Economy</span></font><span
lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=FR style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>15, Rue des Savoises</span></font><span lang=FR><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=FR style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>CH-1205 Genève</span></font><span lang=FR><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=FR style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Switzerland</span></font><span lang=FR><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Tel: +41 22 320 21 21</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Fax:</span></font><span lang=EN-GB> </span><font
size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>+41
22 320 69 48</span></font><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Email: <a href="mailto:dovett@3dthree.org">dovett@3dthree.org</a></span></font><span
lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Website: <a href="http://www.3dthree.org">www.3dthree.org</a></span></font><span
lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <img border=0 width=110 height=48
id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:image001.jpg@01C604BF.7B161FF0"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-GB
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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