Search the Internet          Tips  Sites: Finance, Investment

Indian NGOs protest at WTO meet

Protestors including Indian NGOs (Non-government Organisations) led by environmentalist Vandana Shiva on Monday held a demonstration at the venue of WTO Ministerial Conference in Doha against US-European Union move to grab intellectual property rights which they alleged are detrimental to public health concerns of the developing countries.

The demonstration, which lasted about 30 minutes was followed by plays depicting sufferings of women due to non-availability of affordable medicines.

Shiva, joined by 50 odd activists from Greenpeace and French Workers Union, protested against patenting and environmental issues and held placards "No Patents On Life".

This is the second time the group held a protest at the venue, which has been sanitised from such demonstrations.

Laws are strict in Qatar and protestors could be imprisoned upto five years. Though 800 NGO activists are in Doha for the conference, they are generally quiet unlike in Seattle where violent protests led to the disruption of the ministerial conference.

"Poor farmers are becoming victims of pro-globalisation seed companies," Shiva said, adding farmers commit suicide in India as a result of policies of market freedom.

While the WTO talks too much about patenting of drugs, it does not give much mention to traditional medicines, genetic resources or expertise of various countries including India.

"Neem is India's own medicinal plant, but US firm W R Grace made successful attempts at patenting it. We have also succeeded in frustrating the efforts of a firm called Ricetec which went ahead with patenting of Basmati rice," Shiva said.

ALSO READ:
India and the WTO: News and issues

Money
Business News

Tell us what you think of this report