Latest news from Jean Lambert, London's Green Party MEP

Peace Cycle 2008

Jean Lambert — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 23:00:00 +0100

The Peace Cycle 2008 will take place from 14th - 31st August 2008, starting in Amman, Jordan, and continuing through Arab villages in Israel, then touring the occupied West Bank meeting with groups, individuals and families and ending in Jerusalem.

The idea of the ride is to give an opportunity to visit Palestine, to show solidarity, cycle alongside Palestinian cyclists and learn about the realities of life under occupation.

Cyclists are required to raise the costs of the trip plus a donation towards humanitarian charities in Palestine.

The Peace Cycle 2008 will finally converge on the European Parliament in Brussels for two days of media events and demonstrations to demand action to end the occupation and give peace a chance in the Middle East. These events will take place from 7th - 9th Sepetnber 2008.

For more information go to www.thepeacecycle.com or email cyclists@thepeacecycle.com for an information pack.

MEPs vote to finally include aviation emissions in trading scheme

Jean Lambert — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:00:00 +0100

The European Parliament today voted to finally include aviation in the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). Commenting on the outcome, the Green Party MEP for London, Jean Lambert said:

"Today’s vote represents a step in the right direction in terms of tackling climate change emissions across the board. However, the agreement fails in that it will allow the aviation industry unlimited access to credits from other sectors and the cap on emissions is nowhere near as challenging as that demanded of other sectors.

"Despite its clear limitations, the agreement will at least bring aviation under some kind of emissions reduction regime. This brings to an end the legislative vacuum the sector has enjoyed until now, despite being one of the fastest growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions."

Green MEPs demand G8 hearing for London resident held in Guantanamo Bay

Jean Lambert — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:00:00 +0100

The UK’s two Green Euro-MPs have called on President Sarkozy, the Foreign Office, the President of the European Parliament this week urging ministers to raise the case of a British resident incarcerated at Guantanamo Bay with US authorities at the G8 summit.

Jean Lambert, MEP for London, and Dr Caroline Lucas, MEP for the South East, are demanding that UK and EU representatives question American officials over the continued detention of Binyam Mohamed, who was reportedly captured in a process of ‘extraordinary rendition’.

Mr Mohamed has been held without trial by the US for over 6 years and is currently detained in Guantanamo Bay. He is suffering horrendous psychological trauma and is awaiting a decision about his case coming before a military commission.

Jean Lambert MEP said:

"Binyam Mohammed, a former London resident, has suffered the most atrocious and inhumane treatment since he was first detained, including being slashed across his body and genitals with a razor blade. He has now been detained without trial for over six years, is severely depressed and close to a complete mental breakdown.

"The only known evidence against him has been obtained during periods of torture and so is both unreliable and inadmissible. Any conviction based on such evidence would be wholly unsafe and unacceptable. International law must be upheld and all prisoners must have access to a fair trial in civilian courts. So far, there has been an appalling lack of any legal protection or rights for detainees.

"In this, the 60th anniversary year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we call on the EU to prioritise the immediate release of Binyam Mohamed and all other prisoners who have been held for so long without charge. This ongoing illegal imprisonment simply gives the green light for oppressive regimes around the world to follow the US example and disregard human rights."

Dr Lucas MEP added:

"The appalling treatment of Binyam Mohamed by the American authorities is a clear breach of international human rights law. A military trial will potentially result in a death sentence being handed down and will even further undermine the rule of law.

"The G8 summit in Japan is an ideal opportunity for ministers from the UK and the EU to demonstrate their commitment to humanitarian justice by questioning US officials over his continued detention and, indeed, to request the closure of the Guantanamo facility itself.

"I also call on the UK government to release information it has in its possession to show Mr Mohamed was a victim of extraordinary rendition, which could lead to his release.

"The British authorities have worked hard to secure the release of other UK residents detained in Guantanamo, including one of my constituents Omar Deghayes. I now urge them to speak up for the remaining detainee, whose story reveals the most horrific physical and emotional abuse as well as illegal rendition."

Green MEP celebrates progress on LGBT rights at London Pride 2008

Jean Lambert — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:00:00 +0100

Jean Lambert, London’s Green Party MEP, will speak out in support of equal rights for LGBT individuals across Europe, at London Pride 2008 this Saturday 5th July. London Pride is the largest Pride event in the UK and Ms Lambert will join over 500,000 people expected to take part.

This week the European Commission adopted a proposal for a new law which will provide protection from discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation, as well as age, disability and religion or belief, beyond the workplace.

The new legislation will bring anti-discrimination legislation on sexual orientation into line with existing laws on race, ethnic origin and gender.

Speaking ahead of the London Pride event, Jean Lambert MEP commented: "I am proud to be attending this event which celebrates the freedom of the LGBT community in this country. However, we must not be complacent about fighting for equal rights for all. In many countries across Europe people still face discrimination and abuse as a result of their sexual orientation. "This week the European Commission decided to proceed with new legislation which will protect all European citizens from discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation. This is a clear step towards also ensuring that all UK citizens can travel across Europe free from the fear of being harassed or unfairly treated because of prejudice and intolerance.” "The European Union has in this case acted on the demands of European citizens. It now remains to be seen whether all member states will support the new proposals."

Eurobarometer surveys show that a large majority of Europeans support such legislation. 77 per cent back measures to protect people from discrimination in education and 68 per cent in access to goods and services.

Peace Brigades event to confront forces behind worldwide deforestation

Jean Lambert — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 23:00:00 +0100

London Green MEP, Jean Lambert, will be taking part in the Peace Brigades International UK conference entitled “The environment and its defenders under threat: deforestation, mega projects and human rights in Latin America, Africa and Asia” in Westminster on Thursday 26th June. The event will look at the dangers for those defending the rights of indigenous communities and the threats to biodiversity presented by deforestation, pollution and mono-crop cultivation.

Jean Lambert MEP said:

“The protection of the human rights of those who defend their communities and environment has become more important and urgent. Most of us take for granted the rule of law and the right to uphold it. Yet in many countries around the world, environment and human rights defenders face intimidation, threats, and even the risk of being murdered.

“This key event will explore what needs to be done in the international community to prevent such abuses and to halt the destruction of the great forests that we all depend upon for a stable climate.”

The conference will take part on Thursday 26th June 2008 in the Methodist Central Hall, Westminster, from 9am – 7pm.

Jean Lambert MEP will be chairing a panel debate on International Organisations working in Europe from 5-7pm, which will look at the European and international driving forces behind environmental damage and human rights violations. The session will explore whether the policies designed for protecting biodiversity and climate change are working and what else should be done. The panellists will include Veerle Dossche from the Forests and the European Union Resource Network, Peter Frankental from the Economic Relations Programme at Amnesty International UK and Liz Gallagher, Policy Researcher on Climate Change from CAFOD.

Further information about the event can be obtained from coordinator@peacebrigades.org.uk

Green MEPs speak out against US Missile Defence system ahead of CND protest

Jean Lambert — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:00:00 +0100

The UK's Green MEPs will speak out this week in support of Czech hunger strikers who are opposing a planned US Missile Defence radar near Prague, as part of a Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament protest taking place on 22 June.

Jean Lambert, the Green Party MEP for London, will address the CND vigil of solidarity in support of the Czech protesters. The event will be taking place opposite Downing Street on Sunday, which has been declared an international day of action, with speakers from 12-2pm.

Dr Caroline Lucas, Green MEP for South East England and a longstanding member of the CND national council, will take part in the hunger strike in support of the day of action.

In Prague, a number of leading political and cultural figures have already gone on hunger strike to protest against the Czech government's continuing negotiations with the US to build a Missile Defence radar near the city.

Jean Lambert MEP, a long-standing CND supporter, said:

"This an issue that matters to all of Europe and the European Parliament has made its opposition clear in a recent resolution against missile defence.
Opinion polls also show there is majority opposition to the system.

"The UK Government has already made our country more vulnerable to attack by approving sites for the US Missile Defence system without any parliamentary debate. If this system continues to develop we risk escalating the arms race, which the world cannot afford.

"The missile defence system is based on the fallacy that it will make the world safer, but in fact it will leave all countries open to more concerted attacks. It will simply intensify divisions between nations and the Czech Republic should oppose its development. Such a decision could force the new US administration to retract its proposal."

Dr Caroline Lucas commented:

"I am participating in Sunday's hunger strike in solidarity with the Green Party in the Czech Republic, together with the vast majority of Czech people who oppose plans to appropriate their land for a US missile defence system radar.

"The US continues to site almost 500 nuclear weapons around the EU despite huge condemnation from European citizens. The US is breaching international law and we must not allow Europe to be complicit in this blatant proliferation of missile capacity.

"The protest on Sunday will send a clear message from the UK, the Czech Republic and beyond that we want independence from America's military bases and the illegal nuclear weapons of mass destruction they contain. Conflict prevention and resolution will make the world safer - more bombs will not. We call on the Czech Parliament to reject the US's proposals and on the EU as a whole to join us in standing up for peace."

Greens condemn European Parliament vote on immigration policy

Jean Lambert — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:00:00 +0100

The Greens/EFA Group today condemned the adoption of the returns directive by the European Parliament. Commenting on the vote Jean Lambert, the London Green Party MEP and Shadow Rapporteur on the directive, said:

"The Greens are very disappointed with the outcome of the vote today. With this directive, irregular migrants can be detained up to 18 months even for reasons beyond their control, such as a lack of cooperation from their country of origin. The Greens maintain three months should be the maximum.

"Furthermore a five-year re-entry ban becomes the rule rather than the exception, preventing many immigrants from seeing their own families in the EU. Let's not forget that most people illegally residing in Europe initially entered legally but, for example, overstayed their visas. By imposing a blanket re-entry ban rather than considering each case on its merits, things will get worse for people already in a difficult situation.

"Parliament has given a green light to EU member states to also return people to countries of transit, despite the potentially devastating consequences. For example a Congolese person returned to Morocco will most probably be detained or end up with no option but to reside there illegally. This is no solution."

The directive was adopted with 367 votes in favour, 206 against and 109 abstentions. The UK Government has opted out of the directive and will not be covered by its provisions.

London MEP urges Government to commit to full compliance with air quality laws

Jean Lambert — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 23:00:00 +0100

Jean Lambert today backed Environmental Protection UK, and ten other leading environmental and health organisations, in calling on the UK Government to commit fully to complying with the new EU Directive on Air Quality. The London Green Party MEP has also written to the European Commission and to Hillary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, urging the UK Government to meet the new air quality standards as soon as possible.

Welcoming the new EU Directive, which came into force on 11 June 2008, Jean Lambert said:

"Air pollution is an 'invisible killer', being responsible for far more deaths than traffic accidents, but it receives only a fraction of the attention. The UK Government has indicated that it will apply for an extension to the deadline on meeting the new air quality standards and this is simply unacceptable. People across the UK suffer from serious illnesses caused or aggravated by air pollution and this is particularly the case in London where air quality at several sites consistently fails to meet current basic EU standards."

In London, an estimated 1000 people die prematurely every year and a further 1000 are admitted to hospital as a result of air pollution. The impacts of air pollution on human health range from minor respiratory complaints to reduced lung function, asthma, chronic bronchitis, cardiovascular disease and reduced life expectancy. Air pollution in the EU, most notably from fine particulate matter and ground-level ozone, reduces life expectancy by an average of nine months.

The new EU Directive on Air Quality merges four existing EU Directives and a Council Decision into a single text to become Europe’s main air quality legislation. It will modernise reporting and provide a framework to address breaches of air quality laws that have taken place since 2005. The Directive also introduces new targets and limit values for fine particles PM2.5, an important move as fine particles present the greatest risk to human health of all air pollutants.

Jean Lambert MEP continued:

"There is no place for a third runway at Heathrow airport, which would clearly exacerbate existing problems and hinder the UK’s ability to meet these new targets. It is also essential that the Mayor protects the low emission zone and continues with the timetable of action for improving London's air quality. This involves rolling out the next stage of the Low Emission Zone in July, to include buses, coaches and lighter heavy goods vehicles, and to take in heavy vans and mini-buses from 2010. This plan should lead to a marked improvement in the capital's air quality.

"The EU has introduced these new rules to protect the health of citizens across Europe. There is no reason why the Government should endanger the health of UK residents by failing to meet these common air quality standards.”

Notes

The full text of the letter sent to the Prime Minister is as follows:

Dear Prime Minister,

The provision of a healthy environment is one of the Government’s greatest responsibilities to protect citizens. Despite this, levels of air pollutants in many parts of the UK are substantially in breach of the health and ecosystem standards set in the Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and are currently expected to remain so for some time.

We, the undersigned, believe that the recent approval of the new European Union Directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe gives you the opportunity to make a clear and unequivocal public commitment that the Government will ensure full United Kingdom (UK) compliance with it.

We urge you to consider going further by committing the Government to improving human health and protecting biodiversity, the environment and historical sites by complying with laws concerning emissions to air generally: whether for the purpose of fighting climate change; improving air quality or otherwise. If the UK does not meet its short-term obligations for air quality, what chance is there that it will meet five-year carbon budgets and longer-term commitments introduced in the Climate Change Bill?

An unambiguous commitment now from the Government backed thereafter by prompt and meaningful action will give stakeholders of all types, whether from business, the non-governmental sector or citizens generally, the certainty and time necessary to play their full part in delivering the required changes in the most cost effective manner.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

Environmental Protection
Asthma UK
The British Medical Association
Campaign for Better Transport
Campaign for Clean Air in London
The Environmental Industries Commission
Environmental Protection UK
Green Alliance
The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland
Sustrans
The UK Public Health Association
WWF-UK

European Wind Day

Jean Lambert — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 23:00:00 +0100

On 15 June, you can participate in a vast range of events taking place across European regions and cities. This is your chance to learn more about wind energy and support one of the main solutions for the looming climate and energy crisis.

The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), organiser of the event, believes that European citizens should have the chance to make their voices heard in today’s energy game. European Wind Day 2008 offers you the possibility to discover how wind turbines work, how much energy wind can deliver in Europe and many more fascinating facts about this clean and infinite source of energy.

You can participate in family days and wind farm openings all over Europe, conferences and public debates, contests and races and many more activities all with the same theme: wind energy.

Click on European Wind Day 2008 to access basic facts and figures about wind power in Europe, the benefits it brings and the basic functioning of wind turbines.

Image copyright: EWEA

European Commission to go ahead with horizontal anti-discrimination Directive

Jean Lambert — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:00:00 +0100

The European Commission stated late yesterday that it will go ahead with bringing forward a horizontal Directive to combat discrimination in access to goods and services on grounds of disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief and age.

Jean Lambert, the London Green Party MEP and Member of the European Parliament Intergroups on Ageing, Anti-Racism, Disability and Gay and Lesbian Rights, congratulated the Commission on their decision, which will end the hierarchy of legal protection from discrimination.

She said:

"I whole-heartedly welcome this announcement from the Commission that it will stand by its original promise. This decision is in no small part due to the enormous response from equality groups calling for an inclusive Directive. I congratulate all those who supported the progressive voices in the European Parliament and have lobbied hard, written to the Commission, signed petitions and spoken up for equal rights.

"The Commission has recognised that it is essential to provide legal protection for all and end the hierarchy which currently exists. I look forward to hearing more from Commissioner designate, M. Barrot, at his hearing before the Parliament’s Citizens' Freedoms Committee in Strasbourg on Monday."