Free Trade or Just Green Trade? … 6

Free Trade agreements often enable companies to protect their investments from state regulation. They can sue the government if it tries to ban their threat to the environment, notes John Feffer. But civil society organizations want a legally binding treaty to make business responsible for human rights violations and environmental crimes.

Human Rights, Water Insecurity on Six Nations … 8

Amber Johnson and Sue Dick observe that many Indigenous Reserves in Canada have inadequate access to clean water. Even the Six Nations of Grand River, a reserve only 31 km from Hamilton, Ontario, lacks connection to drinkable water. Why so, when other rural communities the same distance from major centres have clean water?

Fix the World … 11

Global governance was already in a mess and Russia’s attack on Ukraine makes its improvement essential. Metta Spencer thinks that the worst defects can be fixed by only six changes to the UN: a World Citizens Assembly; a Stakeholders Council for civil society and corporations; a Futures Lab; Enforcement of international law against aggression; an Emergency Peace and Rescue Force; and clarification of international laws on separatism and self-determination.

Realizing the Human Right to Peace … 18

James C. Simeon notes that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights names security of person as a right, and the UN“s Responsibility to Protect doctrine establishes the obligation of all States to protect their populations from war. Sadly, we are far from achieving this security, so there are now millions of refugees in flight.

C-20’s Motherly Saint and Global Civil Society … 22

Amma (meaning Mother) is a Hindu spiritual leader who provides humanitarian support, including by building the largest hospital in Asia. Now she has been appointed to chair the C-20 for 2023, since it is India’s turn to lead that group. The C-20 is the Civil Society body of the G-20 – the 20 countries that control 85% of the world’s economy. Jill Carr-Harris asks whether a simple but saintly woman representing one ancient culture can lead such an inclusive global organization.

Iran in Ukraine: “Look to the East” Policy or Trapped in a Moral and Political Predicament? … 24

Mojtaba Mahdavi notes that Iran’s official foreign policy was, until recently, to join “neither the East nor the West.” But in 2005 hardliner President Mahmood Ahmadinejad declared that Iran would henceforth “Look to the East.” Since Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, that country’s relationship with Russia has strengthened. Tehran treats the attack on Ukraine as a legitimate response to Moscow’s security concerns and will build a factory in Russia to produce thousands of drones. This policy may prove self-destructive in the end.

Just a Lump of Coal? … 27

The war in Ukraine and the end of gas and oil imports from Russia have led Germany to reactivate coal power plants that had been shut down, reports Michaela Ehring. But Europeans are not alone in such destructive practices. Canada still has 19 operating coal mines, and their environmental and climate effects are deplorable.

War Criminals & Military Aggressors Who Occupy Seats inthe Security Council … 28

On April 1 Russia will begin its month-long rotating presidency of the UN Security Council, writes Thalif Deen. It is ridiculous for a country to occupy such a role while its president could be arrested for war crimes. Still, this situation is not unique; recall the case of Slobodan Milosevic. Indeed, all the permanent members of the Council might have lost their presidencies too.

DEPARTMENTS
Newsworthy ……… 2
Editorial ……… 4
Letters ……… 5
Reviews ……… 32
Forum Directory ……… 35
Current Controversies ……… 38