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Trade and investments

Political article

Schweiz bedroht das Recht auf Nahrung

In its free trade agreements with developing countries, Switzerland insists that they accede to UPOV 91, a convention that privatises seeds. This is at odds with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasant families, accepted by Switzerland.

Political article

Glencore sues Colombia over Cerrejón Mine

No sooner had the announcement on giving up fossil fuels been made, than Switzerland's Glencore International became the sole owner of Latin America's biggest open pit coal mine. It is even taking the Colombian State to court.

Political article

WTO: Switzerland can breathe easily – for now

Despite the postponement of the WTO Ministerial Conference, Switzerland is finding itself increasingly isolated in its opposition to the waiver of patent protection on Covid vaccines. The WTO General Council could and should decide quickly.

MC12 : Exclusive rights must finally be lifted

The WTO Ministerial Conference will discuss the temporary waiver of intellectual property protection on vaccines, tests and anti-covid drugs. We urge the Swiss government to stop its systematic blocking at the WTO.

Article as analysis

Civil society, the new historical subject

Jean Ziegler, author of the book titled «Was ist so schlimm am Kapitalismus – Antworten auf die Fragen meiner Enkelin», urges NGOs and social movements to create a new social world order based on rights, solidarity, reciprocity and complementarity.

Article as analysis

«Inequalities are rooted in the system»

Stefano Zamagni, Italian economist and President of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, explains in an interview why a new beginning with the civil economy can no longer be postponed.

Article as analysis

New law is needed to link economy and human rights

Even with growing numbers of human rights abuses as evidenced by the cases of China and Myanmar, Switzerland lacks any legal basis for the rapid introduction of targeted economic measures.

Political article

Tanzania plans to work the largest nickel deposit

The Tanzanian Government has signed an agreement on nickel mining with a British corporation under which profits will be split equally. State interventions can also be observed in neighbouring Zambia.

Article as analysis

Mercosur: fragmented impact assessments

After the conclusion of negotiations on the free trade agreement with Mercosur countries, the State Secretariat for the Economy commissioned an impact assessment regarding selected environmental issues. Social affairs and human rights were left out.