Trade Unions and NGOs Demonstrate in Doha

Thursday, November 15, 2001 - 02:00

Press statement issued by the Congress of South African Trade Unions.

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From: "Pruett, Duncan"
To: "ICFTU Press Officer Network"

Subject: Trade unions and NGOs hold public demonstration in Doha Date sent: Fri, 9 Nov 2001 18:06:37 +0100 *** Breaking News - Press Release *** Trade unions and NGOs hold public demonstration in Doha for a fair world trading system Brussels November 09, 2001 (ICFTU OnLine): According to ICFTU sources in Doha, an unexpected but peaceful demonstration led by unions and NGOs took place at the entrance to the Conference Centre where the opening ceremony of the 4th Ministerial WTO Conference was set to start at 17.30 local time (14.30 GMT). For half an hour, demonstrators stood carrying signs which read "NO Voice in the WTO", attracting attention from both media and delegates. Many of the demonstrators had taped up their mouths as a symbolic protest at working peoples' absence from the negotiating rooms of the WTO. Led by NGO leaders and ICFTU General Secretary Bill Jordan, the demonstration attracted over 100 participants. Due to the heavy security precautions in place, it could not be announced in advance. At a given signal, protesters took out placards reading "NO voice in the WTO". The Qatari authorities looked on in amazement, but did not react. "We want to give a clear message here in Qatar, just as thousands are doing around the world as part of the Global Unions Day of Action, that globalisation needs to work for people, and that the WTO must become more open and democratic", said Bill Jordan. For a full list of events of the Unions Day of Action: http://www.global-unions.org/action [3] For more information, contact the ICFTU Press Department on 32 2 224 0232 or James Howard in Doha on 32 4 97 540 333. __________________ Duncan Pruett Information / IT Coordinator International Confederation of Free Trade Unions Tel: +32 (2) 224 0219 GSM: +32 (477) 861 903 http://www.icftu.org [4] Don't forget November 9th: Global Unions Day of Action http://www.global-unions.org/wto-action [5] Patrick Craven and Moloto Mothapo Acting COSATU Spokespersons 011 339 4911 0r 082 821 7456 [email protected] [6] 082-821-7456 339-4911 ********************************************************* Visit the COSATU web site at http://www.cosatu.org.za/press/latest.html [7] for copies of our most recent press statements. Get free e-mail for union members. Visit www.union.org.za [8] and sign up now! It's free! COSATU takes steps to ensure that any attachments are free from viruses. You should, however, carry out your own virus check before opening any attachment. COSATU accepts no liability for loss or damage caused by software viruses. *********************************************************** ---------------------------------------- Contact 082-821-7456 Patrick Craven or Moloto Mothapo for further comment. Visit the COSATU web site at http://www.cosatu.org.za/press/latest.html [7] for copies of our most recent press statements. For the full archive go to: http://www.cosatu.org.za/press/archive.html [9]. Get free e-mail for union members. Visit http://www.union.org.za [8] and sign up now! It's free! COSATU takes steps to ensure that any attachments are free from viruses. You should, however, carry out your own virus check before opening any attachment. COSATU accepts no liability for loss or damage caused by software viruses. ---------------------------------------- Press mailing list [email protected] [10] http://gate.cosatu.org.za/mailman/listinfo/press [2]

Categories:

Development [11]

Issue Number:

42 [12]

Article-Summary:

According to ICFTU sources in Doha, an unexpected but peaceful demonstration led by unions and NGOs took place at the entrance to the Conference Centre at the opening ceremony of the 4th Ministerial WTO Conference.

Category:

Governance [13]

Oldurl:

http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category.php/development/4092 [14]