Archive for October 9th, 2012

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09/10/2012

‘Italy Must Prioritize Human Rights Approach with Migrants’ – UN

Human Wrongs Watch

Italy must prioritize a human rights approach when dealing with migration, a United Nations independent expert said, urging the Government to not let security concerns overshadow its border management policy.

Mulberry Street, along which New York City’s Little Italy is centered. Lower East Side, circa 1900.Photo; Debivort at en.wikipedia

The Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, François Crépeau, made six recommendations to the Italian Government after having spent nine days in the country meeting with Government representatives, civil society and international organizations, as well as many migrants, the UN reported.

His recommendations address Italy’s management of the European Union’s (EU) external borders, ranging from agreements with Libya and other neighbours, to full access by international organizations to migrants, as well as improving appeal systems to challenge expulsions.

Italy must ensure that “migration cooperation with Libya does not lead to any migrant being returned to Libyan shores against their will, either by Italian authorities, or by Libyan authorities with the technical or logistical support of their Italian counterparts,” Crépeau said, adding that bilateral re-admission agreements between Italy and its neighbours must have human rights at their core.

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09/10/2012

Chronic Malnutrition Hits 870 Million People, One in Eight World Inhabitants

Human Wrongs Watch

Rome, 9 October 2012 – Almost 870 million people, or one in eight, are suffering from chronic malnutrition, according to a new United Nations report released today, which shows a sharp decline in the number of undernourished people over the past two decades, but warns that immediate action is still needed to tackle hunger particularly in developing countries.

Somali refugee children at the Buramino camp in Ethiopia. Photo: WFP/Jiro Ose

The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2012 (SOFI), which was jointly published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP), reveals that the number of hungry declined more sharply between 1990 and 2007 than previously believed. The new estimates are based on an improved methodology and data for the last two decades, the agencies said in a news release.

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09/10/2012

IMF-World Bank Meeting Amid Signs of Major Downturn

Human Wrongs Watch

By Nick Beams, WSWS*, 9 October 2012 – The annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank starting in Tokyo today is being held amid growing signs that the world economy is headed for a major downturn.

Old man hit by Riot Police in demonstrations in Athens. Photo credit: Ggia | Wikimedia Commons.

According to a leaked report, the IMF has lowered its forecast for world growth in 2012 to 3.3 percent, down from the estimate of 3.4 percent in July. The world growth forecast for next year was cut to 3.6 percent, down from the estimate of 3.9 percent three months ago. It predicted that the euro zone economy would shrink by 0.4 percent this year and expand by only 0.2 percent in 2013. It says that “the further cooling of global economic growth this year and next year” will be “accompanied by a significant increase in downside risks.”

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09/10/2012

Global Economy: IMF Sees a Gloomier Picture

Human Wrongs Watch

Tokyo, IMF*, 9 October 2012 – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) presented a gloomier picture of the global economy than a few months ago, saying prospects have deteriorated further and risks increased. Overall, the IMF’s forecast for global growth was marked down to 3.3 percent this year and a still sluggish 3.6 percent in 2013.

Source: IMF

In its latest World Economic Outlook, unveiled in Tokyo ahead of the IMF-World Bank 2012 Annual Meetings, the IMF said advanced economies are projected to grow by 1.3 percent this year, compared with 1.6 percent last year and 3.0 percent in 2010, with public spending cutbacks and the still-weak financial system weighing on prospects.

“Growth in emerging market and developing economies was marked down compared with forecasts in July and April to 5.3 percent, against 6.2 percent last year. Leading emerging markets such as China, India, Russia, and Brazil will all see slower growth. Growth in the volume of world trade is projected to slump to 3.2 percent this year from 5.8 percent last year and 12.6 percent in 2010.”

“Low growth and uncertainty in advanced economies are affecting emerging market and developing economies through both trade and financial channels, adding to homegrown weaknesses,” said IMF Chief Economist Olivier Blanchard.

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