Newsletter Monsanto Tribunal – The Monsanto Tribunal has started!

Dear supporter of the Monsanto Tribunal,

We are experiencing something very special here today. Representatives from movements all over the world have travelled to The Hague for the Monsanto Tribunal and the parallel People’s Assembly. On this World Food Day we will conquer language and culture barriers to strengthen the world food movement. You are supporting this and you are part of it. This is great! We all need this movement to put an end to the era of unpunished poisoning and exploitation of the earth as soon as possible.

Please follow us online and watch the livestream (just click on your preferred language, followed by „prev“) from the Tribunal.

http://webcast.nfgd.nl:443/monsanto-tribunal/index.html

See our updates on our Facebook page. You do not need to be a member to view our videos and pictures there. If you have an account though, please share them, like us and invite your friends to do the same.

https://www.facebook.com/monsantotribunal/?fref=ts

And if you are on twitter, follow us @monsantotribun, retweet us and all the others that tweet about the Tribunal and the People’s Assembly. Tweeting about the Tribunal is a great way to show your support! The # of the day for Saturday 15th is #MonsantoEcocide (and we’ll send you a new one for Sunday 16th).

Tweets by monsantotribun

If you have not donated recently, please do it now if you can afford it. We need your support to strengthen the movement, to give the victims a voice and a platform and to take on Monsanto, Bayer and their likes.

http://www.monsanto-tribunal.org/donate/

The era of pesticides and war against nature is coming to an end. We are now entering the era of agroecology, of cooperation with nature to share life on earth and enjoy its abundance. We refuse more chemical warfare, patenting of life, junk food, land grabs and dependence of farmers on large corporations. Instead, we are standing together for a world where we reward farmers for their very important work, celebrate biodiversity, take care of healthy soils, and supply land for those who will use it wisely to grow good food for all.

Help us to move forward, be part of the movement.

Thank you!

_______________________________________________ English mailing list English@newsletter.monsantotribunal.org http://newsletter.monsantotribunal.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/english

We’re almost there. Help us to make the Monsanto Tribunal a huge success!

english@newsletter.monsantotribunal.org

Dear Monsanto Tribunal Supporter,
We are almost there! In a few days 30 witnesses and legal experts, from five continents, will testify in The Hague before five international judges. These witnesses will tell the judges, and the world, how Monsanto has ruined their health, their communities, their livelihoods.
This historic citizens’ tribunal will shine an international spotlight on Monsanto’s poisonous products and on the crimes this company has committed against human health and the environment.
With your help we have almost raised the necessary funds. We only need to raise $35,000 now to cover the costs of this historic event. We are many, and every little bit helps. Once we have reached this goal, any additional money can and will be used to help the victims of Monsanto in their national court cases. So if you have not done it recently, can you make a donation today? Click here to donate by credit card or by paypal.

http://en.monsantotribunal.org/donate/
Citizens’ tribunals have a long history of drawing widespread attention to corporate corruption, and of ultimately leading to criminal trials. Like you, we want the Monsanto Tribunal to push courts in countries all over the world to hold Monsanto accountable for its crimes.

 

Our team of volunteers has done an incredible job over the last weeks. We have finished preparing the organisation of the Tribunal and People’s Assembly, and promoted the Tribunal to the public and to the international media. The results can already be seen in different countries and will be very visible at the end of this week and early next week. We are already very present in the social media, and you could help to make it even better. Like us on Facebook and share our posts, follow us on Twitter and tweet and retweet, especially on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

 

We will communicate the link to the livestream in the upcoming days.

Our website and Facebook page will be regularly updated each day.

http://www.monsanto-tribunal.org/

We need your help to make this a success.

Please help us raise $35,000  to cover the costs of this historic event. Click here to donate by credit card or by paypal.

http://en.monsantotribunal.org/donate/
Thank you.
In Solidarity,
Tjerk Dalhuisen, on behalf on the organizing committee.
P.S. The Monsanto Tribunal is a grassroots citizens’ initiative, funded by people like you. No donation is too small. Please make a contribution today. Thank you!

http://en.monsantotribunal.org/donate/

_______________________________________________ English mailing list English@newsletter.monsantotribunal.org http://newsletter.monsantotribunal.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/english

Newsletter Monsanto Tribunal – Only one week to go!

 

Almost there!Very soon Monsanto will be on trial! 30 witnesses and legal experts from five continents will testify in The Hague before five international judges. These witnesses will tell the judges, and the world, how Monsanto has ruined their health, their communities, their livelihoods. We will make the theme of this year’s World Food Day (October 16th) the damage to health and nature caused by chemical industrial agriculture. Citizens’ tribunals have a long history of drawing widespread attention to corporate corruption, and of ultimately leading to criminal trials. Like you, we want the Monsanto Tribunal to push courts in countries all over the world to hold Monsanto accountable for its crimes.

   

Thanks to you!This unique event is only possible thanks to the support of people like you. Thank you! Please continue to help us to spread the word, especially just before, during and the days after the event. Forward this newsletter to friends, ask them to sign support, write to journalists you know, share our posts on Facebook on your page and in groups, retweet our messages if you use twitter, compose your own messages on other social media. You can follow the hearings on live stream, the links will be on our website a few days before the Tribunal starts. We will upload videos on our website and our Facebook page during the event. Please share!

   

The Bayer Monsanto mergerMany of you have asked about the pending buyout of Monsanto by Bayer, and how this will affect the Monsanto Tribunal. Here’s the good news. Bayer’s proposed buyout of Monsanto will have no negative impact on the Monsanto Tribunal. First of all, the buyout will be challenged. And even if it’s approved, it won’t be final until well into 2017. More important, when the tribunal judges issue their final advisory opinions (scheduled for December 10th), those legal opinions will apply to all agribusiness corporations (including Bayer)—not just Monsanto. Besides, the merger of giants is not a sign of strength, analysts have pointed at the signs of an industry in trouble. The possible consequences of such a merger on people and the environment make the Monsanto Tribunal even more important to send a strong signal to the world.

   

International Criminal Court widens scope – steps towards prosecution of ecocide In the near future environmental destruction could lead to governments and individuals being prosecuted for crimes against humanity by the international criminal court. The UN-backed court in The Hague has mostly ruled on cases of genocide and war crimes since it was set up in 2002. It did not investigate major environmental crimes so far. In a change of focus, the ICC said recently it would also look into crimes that result in the “destruction of the environment”, “exploitation of natural resources” and the “illegal dispossession” of land. This is an interesting development. The Monsanto Tribunal might be a very good preparation for a major case at the ICC.

   

Growing supportThese last weeks we have seen a spectacular surge in support. Some 70,000 individuals have now signed their support for the Tribunal and so did almost a 1000 organisations and companies. From local food initiatives and affected communities to huge networks like La Via Campesina, the international movement which brings together millions of peasants and farmers, landless people, women farmers, indigenous people, migrants and agricultural workers from around the world. The Monsanto Tribunal is supported by organizations from Slow Food International, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, Organic Consumers, Navdanya but also by a wide range of specific campaign groups, NGO’s and businesses around the globe. Watch the new support videos on our Facebook page (also accessible without a Facebook account).

   

Meet the witnesses and expertsLook at the program to get to know the 30 witnesses and experts from 5 continents who will travel to The Hague to testify. Some of their names might be familiar to you, like the French farmer Paul François, the only person who ever won a court case against Monsanto after being poisoned by Lasso. Gilles-Eric Séralini, the scientist who exposed the potential carcinogenity of GMO corn and roundup, and who was heavily attacked by Monsanto trolls. The Canadian farmer Percy Schmeiser who was sued by Monsanto for patent infringement. Damian Verzeñassi and Marcelo Firpo, health experts from Argentina and Brazil. The Mexican beekeeper Angelica El Canche. Farida Ahkter from Bangladesh on the dangers of GMO eggplant (photo below). Witnesses and experts include: – health experts, victims and representatives from communities affected by the spraying of pesticides in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, France, India, Sri Lanka and Paraguay, – farmers and seed savers from Australia, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Canada, France, – beekeepers from Yucatan, Mexico, – scientists from Brazil, Germany, France, the UK and the US. Check the program of the hearings and pleas of the Tribunal here.

   

The Peoples Assembly, speakers and workshopsThe People’s Assembly will be a remarkable event in itself. Parallel to the hearings of the Tribunal, it will give a space to movements from all around the world to connect and network, while featuring prominent speakers like Vandana Shiva, Ronnie Cummins, André Leu, Hans Herren, Corinne Lepage, François Veillerette and many more. Three rounds of workshops on seeds, GMOs, pesticides, agroecology as the way forward and holding corporations responsible will see lots of interaction between participants from all five continents. Below, Charito Medina (MASIPAG, Philipines) and Nivia Silva (MST, Brazil) . See the program for more details.

   

Join the process, at home or in a local eventOf course we can’t all travel to The Hague. You can be with us by watching the livestream of the Tribunal, or by participating in one of the many local events on and around World Food Day. We will upload videos of the People’s Assembly on our website and Facebook during the event. We are looking forward to this historical event and we still need your help to make it a success! Share the word, and if you have not already done so recently, please donate.

   

Newsletter Monsanto Tribunal – Less than 2 months to go

 

In weniger als zwei Monaten findet das Monsanto Tribunal statt.Der Countdown läuft! In weniger als zwei Monaten findet das Monsanto Tribunal statt. Bitte unterstützt uns in dieser wichtigen Phase und helft uns für die Realisierung mit einer Spende. Wie könnt Ihr zum Gelingen des Monsanto Tribunals beitragen? Die Vorbereitungen für das Tribunal und die Vollversammlung der sozialen Bewegungen (Peoples Assembly) sind in vollem Gange und unsere PR-Arbeiten wurden intensiviert. Nun ist der Moment gekommen, an dem wir Eure Unterstützungen wirklich benötigen: – Die Veranstaltung wir auf jeden Fall stattfinden! Wir müssen jedoch noch 150.000 Euro durch Spenden aufbringen. Bitte gebt alle für die Durchführung unseres gemeinsamen Tribunals eine Euch maximal mögliche Spende. Für Spender aus Deutschland haben wir hierfür extra eine Spendenplattform eingerichtet. Ihr könnt dort u.a. für die Tickets der Zeugen und die internationalen Übersetzungen spenden. Jeder Betrag ist eine Hilfe und legitimiert das Verfahren! Mehr Infos erhaltet Ihr auf der Spendenseite. Bitte spendet jetzt. Bitte kommuniziert das Ereignis auch an andere Personen weiter! Sendet beispielsweise diesen Newsletter mit ein paar persönlichen Worten an Eure Freunde. Fragt sie, ob Sie nicht auch auf der Webseite unterzeichnen möchten. Dann werden auch sie regelmäßig per Newsletter informiert. Ein deutliches Votum für das Tribunal kann jeder mit seiner persönlichen Unterzeichnung hier leisten. Folgt uns in den sozialen Medien! Teilt und verbreitet unsere Hinweise so oft als möglich auf Facebook und auf Twitter. Gemeinsam werden wir die Verbrechen Monsantos öffentlich machen!

   

Anmeldungen für das Monsanto Tribunal und das Peoples Assembly sind ab jetzt möglich!Die Anmeldungsphase für das Monsanto Tribunal und das People´s Assembly hat begonnen. Auf der Seite für Eure Registrierung findet Ihr auch die vorläufigen Programme. Alle engagierten Helfer und geladenen Gäste sind bereits angemeldet! Wir bitten alle anderen, die gerne dabei sein wollen, sich eigenständig anzumelden. Wartet nicht zu lange damit, die Plätze sind leider begrenzt. Als Unterstützer des Tribunals seid Ihr nun mit diesem Newsletter früher als andere Interessenten informiert. Wir haben einen Eintrittspreis festgelegt, um so einen Teil der Kosten zu decken. Personen mit geringen Einkommen können einen Preisnachlass von 50 Prozent beantragen. Personen, die eine Anreise von mehr als 300 Kilometer haben, können freien Eintritt beantragen. (Ihr bezahlt dann nur für das vor Ort bereitgestellte Essen.) Wenn Ihr es Euch aber leisten könnt, dann zahlt bitte den Eintritt. Wir benötigen diesen kalkulierten Betrag für die grundlegenden Kosten der Organisation. Für den Erhalt eines reduzierten Eintrittspreis oder eines freien Eintritts, sendet Ihr bitte eine Mail an: registration@monsanto-tribunal.org Hier könnt Ihr Euch für das Monsanto Tribunal anmelden. Hier könnt Ihr Euch für das People´s Assembly anmelden.

   

Das Monsanto Tribunal hat neue Botschafter!Wir freuen uns weitere neue Botschafter vorstellen zu können: João Pedro Stédile, den nationalen Koordinator der großen Landlosen-Vereinigung MTS in Brasilien; den französischen Dokumentarfilmmacher und Umweltaktivist Nicolas Hulot; den deutschen Sänger Konstantin Wecker, die außergewöhnliche Modedesignerin Vivienne Westwood und Christiane Lüst, die engagierte Gründerin der Aktion GEN-Klage, aus Deutschland. Richard A. Falk und Florianne Koechlin sind unsere beiden neuesten Botschafter: Falk ist aus den USA und emeritierter Professor für Völkerrecht wie auch ein ehemaliger UN-Sonderberichterstatter für Palästina. Koechlin ist aus der Schweiz. Sie ist Biologin und GVO-Spezialistin. Sie beschreibt den Grund für Ihr Engagement folgendermaßen: „Meine größte Sorge ist, dass Monsanto weltweit eine Art der Landwirtschaft verbreitet die desaströs ist. Riesige Monokulturen, patentiertes GVO-Saatgut, Pestizide, Künstliche/synthetische Dünger. Das ist das Gegenteil eines nachhaltigen agrarökologischen Systems für die Zukunft. Aber Monsanto ist da nicht alleine: Syngenta, BASF, Dow Chemicals und andere sitzen im gleichen Boot. Es geht bei diesem Tribunal also nicht ausschließlich um Monsanto, sondern um alle übermächtigen Konzerne der Agrarindustrie. Ich fordere ich Euch deswegen auf, dieses Tribunal zu unterstützen. Es ist wirklich wichtig!“ Schaut Euch die Video-Botschaften auf Facebook oder auf unserer Website an und teilt sie in Euren Netzwerken.