www.agp.org | Archives - WTO info: IMMEDIATE RELEASE: WTO OPENING CEREMONY DISRUPTED (13/12/2005)

December 13, Hong Kong

Over forty unannounced protestors from across the world joined together inside the opening ceremony of the WTO Ministerial in Hong Kong to protest at the WTO's ongoing drive towards liberalisation.

'We have seen ten years of deceit under the WTO. We are protesting because we cannot continue to watch the WTO take away the lives and livelihoods of farmers, peasants and workers across the world,' said Walden Bello, Executive Director of Focus on the Global South.

After a silent peaceful protest, the members of civil society who held white banners above their heads, left the auditorium leaving the delegates surprised and the security personnel in flummox.

Across the auditorium, signs were held up with the words in many languages: 'Stand by your people' and the 'WTO Kills Peasants'.

Protestors demanded that developing country members of WTO reject the hollow development package, and walk away from the trade talks.

'There is nothing on the table at the WTO that is going to benefit developing countries. Developing countries must reject what is on offer. It is a case of 'no deal is better than a bad deal',' said Mr Bello.

For more information, please contact Brett Solomon on +852 6497 2675

Brett Solomon
Media Officer
Focus on the Global South
www.focusweb.org
HK Mb: +852 64972675
Office: + 66 2 218 7363, 64 & 65
Email: brettfocusweb.org.

MEDIA RELEASE: Focus on the Global South

WTO OPENING CEREMONY DISRUPTED AND TOLD: "WTO KILLS PEASANTS"