ETC Group: Canada Denies Visa for Africa's Top Biosafety Negotiator

[Guest guest]

Wed, 18 May 2005 23:39:52 -0000

etc

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

 

_____________

ETC Group mailing list

http://lists.etcgroup.org/mailman/listinfo/etcgroup