Nieuws van de afdeling

9 January 2007

Support action on access to medicines in the Third World

The Dutch government must support countries which produce cheaper versions of patented medicines. So say SP Members of Parliament Agnes Kant and Ewout Irrgang, who want the pharmaceutical concern Novartis to withdraw a legal challenge to India's legislation on patents. In addition Ms Kant, the SP's spokeswoman on health issues, and Mr Irrgang, development spokesman, want the US government to end its interference with Thailand's production of cheap generic medicines. The two are asking government ministers Hans Hoogervorst and Gijs Van Aardenne to take action. If Novartis and the US government succeed, millions of people in the Third World will be deprived of affordable generic medicines.

9 January 2007

NATO responsible for too many civilian victims in Afghanistan

SP Member of Parliament and Foreign Affairs spokesman Harry van Bommel is seeking clarification following a statement by NATO spokesman Brig. Richard E. Nugee, who, referring to the campaign in southern Afghanistan during 2006, said that “the single thing that we have done wrong and we are striving extremely hard to improve on is killing innocent civilians” Brig. Nugee admitted that dozens of Afghan civilians had lost their lives as a result of airstrikes and violent attacks in which NATO troops were involved.

8 January 2007

Politicians in action at nuclear base in Scotland against mega-investment in nuclear submarines

SP Member of Parliament Krista van Velzen joined parliamentarians from a number of different European countries in a blockade action in front of the gates of the Royal Naval base at Scotland's Faslane. The action forms part of a continuous relay which has already gone on for three months and is aimed at protesting against plans by British premier Tony Blair £40bn (about €60bn/$75bn) on new nuclear submarines.

5 January 2007

Put Japan's reinstatement of death penalty on agenda of official visit of Dutch minister

SP Member of Parliament Emile Roemer is asking Transport Minister Karla Peijs to raise the question of the death penalty during her forthcoming visit to Japan.

4 January 2007

Krista van Velzen joins British parliamentarians at Scots nuclear base

On Monday SP Member of Parliament Krista van Velzen will join British fellow parliamentarians in their efforts to blockade a nuclear weapons base in Scotland. The action is in protest against prime minister Tony Blair's plans to acquire a new fleet of atomic submarines at a cost of £40bn (about €60bn/$75bn) “We in Europe should not be ensuring ever more weapons of mass destruction, but working towards their dismantling,” said Ms Van Velzen.

1 January 2007

EU-Asia trade negotiations: SP development spokesman demands explanation

SP Member of Parliament and spokesman on development policy Ewout Irrgang is seeking speedy clarification of the position regarding new negotiations between the EU and a number of Asian countries regarding a free trade agreement. “Any treaty must avoid preventing the Asian countries from continuing to build their own economies," said Mr Irrgang. "The proposal to liberalise public services such as health care, education and the supply of drinking water must be withdrawn.”

International