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Picture Credit: Agence France Presse/Filei The "Surge" of Prisoners (May 7, 2008)

Amid all the talk about the US military "surge" in Iraq, little has been said about the accompanying "surge" of Iraqi prisoners, whose numbers rose to nearly 51,000 at the end of 2007. Global Policy Forum’s Ciara Gilmartin states that “US forces hold nearly all detainees indefinitely without charge, an arrest warrant or the opportunity to defend themselves.” Human rights monitors, including the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), are denied access to detention centers in Iraq by US officials. This lack of oversight not only increases the likelihood of detainee abuse, but also violates international human rights law. (Foreign Policy in Focus)
GPF's Page on Iraq | Torture and Prison Abuse in Iraq | What's New on Iraq

Picture Credit: Agence France Presse/Filei

foodline.gif Causes and Strategies on World Hunger: Green Revolution versus Sustainable Agriculture (May 2008)

Global Policy Forum’s Katarina Wahlberg criticizes the World Bank’s proposal to create a Green Revolution in Africa. By focusing on boosting agricultural production through scientific development of more productive crops, the Bank disregards the fact that the Earth’s biological systems cannot be exploited forever. Also, the supporters of the new Green Revolution fail to address the major causes of the global food crisis, including biofuel production and unsustainable global consumption of meat. The author calls for a shift from industrial agriculture of export crops to sustainable agriculture for local consumption. (World Economy & Development in Brief)
What's New on Social and Economic Policy | GPF's Page on World Hunger

Picture Credit: Reuters/Brennan Linsley Letter to the Security Council on the Issue of Detainees in Iraq (April 22, 2008)

On April 28, 2008, the Security Council will discuss Iraq and receive a report from the US on the Multinational Force (MNF). In anticipation of this debate, Global Policy Forum and International Federation for Human Rights call for greater attention to the extrajudicial and arbitrary detention of large numbers of Iraqis held by the MNF, including some 20,000 held in a vast prison camp in the southern desert. GPF's Page on Iraq | What's New on Iraq

Picture Credit: Reuters/Brennan Linsley

Updated Tables and Charts on UN Finance

GPF’s updated tables and charts show UN members’ contributions and debts to the UN regular and peacekeeping budgets.

  • US vs. Total Debt to the UN: Table 2008
  • US vs Total Debt to the UN, 1996-2008: Graph 1996-2008
  • Regular Budget Payments of Largest Payers: Table 2008
  • Regular Budget Assessments & Payments: Table 2008
  • Debt of 15 Largest Payers to Peacekeeping Budget: Table 2008
    GPF's Page on UN Finance
  • Picture Credit: US Department of Defense/Spec. Charles Gill “War and Occupation in Iraq” – An NGO Report (June 2007)

    This major report is an indispensable resource on the occupation. In twelve detailed chapters, the authors provide an informative and readable analysis, concluding with recommendations for action. Among the topics covered are: destruction of cultural heritage, killing of civilians, attacks on cities and long-term military bases. The report has been written and produced by Global Policy Forum and co-published by thirty NGOs. Press Release | GPF's Page on Iraq | What's New on Iraq

    Picture Credit: US Department of Defense/Spec. Charles Gill

    Internships at GPF
    GPF has a large internship program, welcoming students and young professionals from all over the world. For more information about the internship, application procedures, deadlines and qualifications, please visit our internship page.

    Donate to Global Policy Forum!

    Thanks to individuals like you, Global Policy Forum has for many years monitored policy making at the United Nations, promoted accountability of global decisions, educated and mobilized for global citizen participation, and advocated on vital issues of international peace and justice.

     

    IRAQ

    Food Crisis Hits Fallujah
    Inter Press Service, May 12, 2008

    Iraqi Officials Implicated in Smuggling of Antiquities
    Az-Zamar, May 13, 2008


    SECURITY COUNCIL

    How Autonomous is Autonomy? The Western Sahara Dispute in a Bind
    Middle East Institute, April 2008

    D.R. Congo Reviews Mining Contracts Signed During Resource-Fueled War
    World Politics Review, May 8, 2008


    EMPIRE

    The Responsibility to Protect and Its Application to the Situation in Burma
    World Federalist Movement Institute for Global Policy, May 9, 2008

    Radar, Star Wars, & the Czech Republic
    Z Magazine, May 1, 2008


    SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC POLICY

    Public Action to Remedy Hunger
    Hunger Project, August 2, 1990

    The New Green Revolution in Africa: Trojan Horse for GMOs?
    African Centre for Biosafety, May 2007


    GLOBALIZATION

    Globalisation and War
    Transnational Institute, March 10, 2008


    NGOs

    US Counterterrorism Developments Impacting Charities
    International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law, December 2007

    Quid Pro Quo: A Journalistic Look at NGO-Media Interaction in Africa
    Brown Journal of World Affairs, 2005


    NATIONS AND STATES

    A World of Selfistans?
    Foreign Policy in Focus, March 13, 2008

    EU Considers Toughening Offensive on Tax Havens
    International Herald Tribune, May 14, 2008


    UN FINANCE

    United Nations System Funding: Congressional Issues
    Congressional Research Service, February 1, 2008

    Tell Congress: Pay Our Growing UN Arrears
    United Nations Association of the United States of America


    UN REFORM

    Business and Human Rights - Treaty Road Not Travelled
    Business and Human Rights, May 6, 2008

    One UN Pilots: Aligning UN Capabilities in Support of National Development
    Stanley Foundation, March 2008


    INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE

    Truth Commissions and Prosecutions: Two Sides of the Same Coin
    Pambazuka, March 27, 2008

    The Challenge of Justice in Negotiating Peace
    Building a Future on Peace and Justice, June 2007


    SECRETARY GENERAL

    Kurt Waldheim, Former UN Chief, Is Dead at 88
    New York Times, June 15, 2007

    The Return of Dag
    UN Special, September 2005