[Upd-discuss] Canadian govn't denies visa for Afica's top biosafety scholar against bio-patenting

[Zapopan Martin Muela-Meza]

Canadian govn't denies visa for  Afica's top biosafety scholar against
bio-patenting
etcgroup@lists.etcgroup.org
Date:	Wed, 18 May 2005 23:39:52 -0000
From:	etc@etcgroup.org  Add to Address BookAdd to Address Book
Subject:	ETC Group: Canada Denies Visa for Africa's Top Biosafety
Negotiator



ETC Group
News Release
18 May 2005
www.etcgroup.org

Canada Denies Visa for Africa's Top Biosafety Negotiator
Montreal's status as UN's biodiversity headquarters is jeopardized

Ottawa - In a breathtaking display of political interference, the 
Canadian government has blocked entry of Africa's chief negotiator for 
the Cartagena (biosafety) Protocol, who was scheduled to attend UN 
meetings beginning next week in Montreal. The Protocol is the United 
Nations treaty that governs the international movement of genetically 
modified (GM) organisms.

Dr. Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher, the Ethiopian government's chief 
scientist and its representative to the Montreal-based UN Convention on 
Biological Diversity (CBD) had his passport returned without the 
requested Canadian visa yesterday, and without explanation.

The renowned scientist submitted his passport to the Canadian embassy 
on May 5 and had planned to fly to Oslo, Norway for inter-regional 
negotiations prior to attending the Montreal meetings that begin 
Wednesday, May 25.  Because his passport was returned only May 17, Dr. 
Tewolde was forced to miss the Oslo meeting.

Labeled dangerous?

Officials at Foreign Affairs and Citizenship and Immigration have been 
unable to offer an explanation for rejecting the negotiator's visa. Dr. 
Tewolde has been to Canada often over the past decade, participating in 
intergovernmental negotiations on biodiversity and biosafety. Since the 
Rio Earth Summit of 1992, Dr. Tewolde has been one of the most well 
known leaders among African diplomats addressing environmental issues.  
However, his positions have not been popular with the Canadian 
government.

During the negotiations on a UN treaty on crop genetic resources 
adopted in Rome last year, Dr. Tewolde spoke on behalf of all 
developing countries in demanding the right of farmers to save and 
exchange seeds and in opposing "life patenting" (intellectual property 
over biological products and processes). In the negotiations that led 
up to the Cartagena Protocol, the Ethiopian clashed with his Canadian 
counterparts, demanding higher standards to prevent GM contamination. 
At UN meetings in Montreal and around the world, Dr. Tewolde has spoken 
passionately against Terminator technology (genetically-modified seed 
rendered sterile at harvest time, forcing farmers to buy new seeds each 
growing season). In February, the Canadian government was prepared to 
dismantle a de facto moratorium on Terminator at a UN biodiversity 
meeting in Bangkok. Canada was deeply embarrassed (and highly 
criticized) when its position became known.

The Ethiopian scientist had made it known that he would be coming to 
Montreal next week to press for the labeling of genetically modified 
seeds and food products and for companies and governments to accept 
liability when their seeds lead to GM contamination.  Canada has thus 
far failed to ratify the UN biosafety protocol and is known to be 
opposed to both compulsory GM labeling and liability.

"I had planned to participate in these negotiations and continue with 
trying to help finalize the unfinished business of protecting 
biodiversity and human beings," wrote Dr. Tewolde in a letter sent 
today to colleagues around the world.

Montreal's UN future in doubt:

In 1995, the Canadian, Québec, and Montreal governments persuaded the 
United Nations to locate the Secretariat for the UN Convention on 
Biological Diversity in Montreal.  One of the critical requirements for 
hosting a major UN agency is easy access for foreign diplomats to 
attend intergovernmental discussions.

"In barring Dr. Tewolde from participating in the Montreal meetings, 
Canada is jeopardizing Montreal's future as a United Nations city," 
said Eric Darier, a campaigner with Greenpeace in Montreal, "If Ottawa 
is doing this for its own political purposes, it is making a grave 
mistake and tarnishing Canada's reputation in the process."

"Dr. Tewolde is one of the most respected scientists in his field," 
said Pat Mooney, Executive Director of ETC Group in Ottawa, "If the 
Canadian government can't make sure Dr. Tewolde has his visa for the 
opening of the meetings, Canada does not deserve to host the Convention 
on Biological Diversity." ETC Group is a Canadian-based international 
civil society organization with observer status in the United Nations. 
Mooney talked with Dr. Tewolde by telephone today.

Dr. Tewolde himself is concerned that Canada's actions signal a 
pattern, "Now that I have been prevented from coming to Montreal, who 
knows which ones of you will be prevented next time?" he wrote.

Dr. Tewolde is the recipient of a number of awards and honors for his 
work in defending biodiversity and the environment. In particular, he 
received the Right Livelihood Award (also known as the Alternative 
Nobel Prize).

For further information:

Eric Darier, Campaigner, Greenpeace, Montreal (514) 933-0021 x 15; 
mobile (514) 605-6497

Pat Mooney, Executive Director, ETC Group (613) 241-2267; mobile (613) 
261 0688

Lucy Sharratt, Coordinator, Ban Terminator Campaign, (613) 241 2267

--------------------------- * ---------------------------
"Any man who reads a lot and uses a little his own brain
falls into lazy mental habits.” 
--------------------------- * --------------------------- 
"Cualquier hombre que lea demasiado y utilice poco 
su propio cerebro cae en hábitos mentales perezosos.” 
-- Albert Einstein (Thorpe, S. (2001). Como pensar como 
Einstein : How to Think like Einstein. Bogota: Norma, p. 214)


		
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