Issue 539 (16-28 Feb 2013)
Experts warn of threats to food and housing rights

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Rights expert highlights threats to women’s right to food
Women suffer various forms of discrimination which in turn adversely affect their right to food, says a UN human rights expert.
by Kanaga Raja

Housing rights expert warns of global tenure insecurity crisis
The threat of eviction or displacement facing millions around the world is undermining the right to adequate housing, according to a UN rights monitor who advocates grounding security of tenure in a human rights framework rather than a narrow property rights regime.
by Kanaga Raja

South experts discuss WTO Doha Round and Bali Ministerial
Trade diplomats and experts assessed the outlook for the WTO’s Doha Round talks from a developmental standpoint during a recent conference on developing countries and multilateral negotiations.
by Kinda Mohamadieh

Need to accelerate work on all fronts, urges Lamy
Noting that “time is not on our side”, the WTO head has called for a redoubling of negotiating efforts among member states in order to achieve concrete outcomes at the trade body’s yearending Bali Ministerial Conference
by Kanaga Raja

“Information-sharing” meeting on agri proposal till early March at WTO
In light of a proposed early agreement in the Doha Round on food security issues, a series of meetings will be convened at the WTO to raise member states’ understanding of already existing food security schemes.
by Kanaga Raja

The world’s worst judicial system
More countries are realizing how they are at the losing end of a biased arbitration system that is loaded against them in investment cases that can cost them billions of dollars.
by Martin Khor

Central bank autonomy a dangerous mirage
The concept of central banks’ independence belies their subordination to the dictates of financial capital, writes Alejandro Nadal.