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29 July 2012 Edition

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Another Europe is possible

This is funded by the European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL)

Euro Parliament ‘steps up its game’ on illegal Israeli settlements

A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT motion criticising the Israeli Government’s aggressive and provocative attitude in bulldozing ahead with the construction and expansion of illegal settlements is one of the strongest statements made by the EP on the plight of the Palestinians, MEP Martina Anderson says.

The resolution also demands that illegal settlement goods are excluded under the preferential trade terms of the EU-Israel association agreement, a demand long championed by campaigners across the globe.

“The European Parliament has really stepped up its game,” the new MEP says, saying how proud she is to have joined other MEPs in casting her vote in favour of the motion in July.

 “I cannot underline the significance of this statement enough,” Martina Anderson says. “Although there was some opposition, I believe that the result of the vote demonstrates firmly the strong will of most EU parliamentarians to demand greater haste in addressing the plight of the Palestinian people.

“The message is gathering strength and we must continue to fight for an internationally-recognised, independent Palestine.”

ACTA law ‘dead in the water’

THE European Parliament’s rejection of moves to sign into EU law legislation imposing a corporate stranglehold on Internet sites means the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement is now effectively “dead in the water despite many EU states – including Ireland – having ratified it earlier in the year,” Martina Anderson MEP said.

“I am delighted that this attack on Internet and intellectual freedom, sponsored by global corporations, has been rejected. I am also pleased that I had the opportunity to assist in the defeat of this undemocratic law by voting against it.”

She pointed out that GUE/NGL has consistently opposed this legislation.

Martina Anderson said:

“ACTA would have undermined civil liberties and contributed to establishing Internet censorship

“It would have introduced civil sanctions and broadened the scope of criminal sanctions, thereby limiting the rights of citizens and restricting technical innovation. It would make even more difficult the transfer of technology to developing countries. inhibiting their industrialisation. It is an accepted fact that no country has been able to develop without some flexibility in the application of Intellectual Property Rights.”

“The adoption of ACTA would have seen Internet Service Providers co-operating “to take measures against alleged infringements that would amount to censorship, bypassing due process and the right to a fair trial”.

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