Interviews

South African organisations urge government to investigate murder of anti-mining activist

Interview with Robby Mokgalaka from groundWork-Friends of the Earth South Africa

Mama Fikile Ntshangase was shot dead at her home in Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal province, by four gunmen on 22 October. She was Vice-Chairperson of a sub-committee of the Mfolozi Community Environmental Justice Organisation (MCEJO) and actively opposed the expansion of the Tendele coal mine near her home. “We feel that she  … Read more

Every vote counts

Interview with Liz Butler from Friends of the Earth US as the world awaits the results of the presidential election

As of Friday morning, Joe Biden had secured 253 electoral votes of the 270 needed to win the Electoral College, with Donald Trump at 214. But in the last few hours, Trump turned to the courts to stop the vote count, tweeting “Stop the Count” and refusing to acknowledge his  … Read more

Social victory in Sweden: Oil company Preem drops plans to expand oil refinery

After two years of protests, the Swedish environmental movement celebrates a major new victory

“I’m absolutely sure that our resistance was one of the big factors that made them realise that this was not going to happen” said activist Lena Maloney from Friends of the Earth Sweden in an interview with Real World Radio. “They might have been able to expand their oil refinery  … Read more

Global Week of Action for Debt Cancellation led by Jubilee South Americas network

“Life should be above debt”

“Financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund still determine and influence major decisions in our countries and the direction of our public policies, through how they allocate resources and loans,” warned Martha Flores, General Coordinator of the Jubilee South Americas network. “We are seeing our  … Read more

India: Ongoing repercussions and demands after massive fire in oil well

Organisations warn about corporate negligence: “Oil India Limited functions on their own basically”

On 13 September, almost four months after the explosion and oil spill in the Indian town of Baghjan (Tinsukia district, Assam state), experts from the company in charge of  the oil well (Oil India Limited) and international engineers managed to control the fire. Four days earlier, an engineer from the  … Read more

Agriculture in Gaza: impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on a sector already suffering from Israeli occupation

Obstacles, challenges and potential ways out for Palestinian farmers

Farming in Palestine, an essential activity for the national economy, was already suffering from military attacks and the Israeli blockade. The sector now faces further damages due to the COVID-19 pandemic and government response measures, including lockdown. “Palestinian farmers are unable to access the necessary agricultural inputs, lands and markets  … Read more

“Monoculture plantations are the visible face of the agribusiness model”

Interview with Isaac Rojas, co-coordinator of the Forests and Biodiversity Program at Friends of the Earth International

21 September marks the International Day of Struggle against Monoculture Tree Plantations. This day was declared in 2004 by rural communities in Brazil, to expose the impacts of industrial tree plantation projects expanding in their territories and to reaffirm their determination to resist plantations and recover their territories from corporations.  … Read more

Beyond the pandemic: online discussion organised by the Continental Day for Democracy and against Neoliberalism

Interview with Tica Moreno, World March of Women Brazil: “Having a horizon of transformation towards a new society is possible"

On 22 September, the Continental Day for Democracy and against Neoliberalism (La Jornada Continental), will hold an online discussion entitled “Popular dialogues: unity, democracy and life for our peoples”. Taking place at 4pm in Central America (12am midnight CET), the discussion will be broadcasted live on their Facebook page in  … Read more

BERTA CÁCERES CASE: TRIAL FOR MILITARY OFFICER AND BUSINESSMAN ACCUSED OF MASTERMINDING MURDER

Honduran court announces that David Castillo must face oral and public trial. Interview with Bertha Zúniga.

After an 18-month suspension of the preliminary hearings to decide whether to open trial against David Castillo, a Honduran court finally announced on 26 August that he will face an oral and public trial. A military intelligence officer trained at West Point, David Castillo is also a known businessman linked  … Read more

“If we don´t mobilise, they are going to let the Machi die”

Milarray Painemal, coordinator of the Indigenous Commission of ANAMURI, demands justice for spiritual leader Celestino Córdova

After being 100 days on hunger strike, on 11 July, Machi Celestino Córdova announced he would begin a dry hunger strike. With the little strength he has left, he sent an audio message addressed “to the Mapuche people and native peoples, to all society around the world, to all peoples  … Read more