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Make sure you don't miss it! International Forum on Clean Clothes!
From April 30th until May 10th the Clean Clothes Campaigns in Europe, together with the Permanent Peoples Tribunal, will organize an International Forum on Clean Clothes.
The first part will take place in Brussels. An expert jury of international jurists will hear the complaints of the Clean Clothes Campaigns concerning working conditions in the garment and sportswear sector and look into questions concerning the rights of workers and consumers. Witnesses from all over the world will testify on the situation in the sector, more specifically concerning a number of large companies. These are: Adidas, Auchan, C&A, Disney, H&M, Levi Strauss, Marks & Spencer, Nike and Otto Versand. These companies will of course be invited and get the opportunity to present their view.
The aims of the International Forum on Clean Clothes:
1. To organise a forum for citizens focusing on the rights of workers. On 30 April about 1500 people are expected in Brussels at the inaugural Forum in the Palais des Congrès; almost 2000 people somewhat later on the same day at the party in La Madeleine, and 200 the following days at the sessions of the Tribunal. Special attention will be paid to the coverage of the event.
2. To strengthen networks by enabling southern partners (about fifteen witnesses: workers, NGO members or unionists) to testify to their actual working and living conditions, and by giving them the opportunity to share their experience of actions in favour of the respect of the Human Rights. These partners will come from different parts of the world such as Indonesia, China, Bangladesh, Madagascar, Haiti, Eastern Europe, the UK,...
3. To go on negotiating with the companies while confronting them with workers' testimonies. We reject any manichean or accusatory approach.
4. Obviously the Clean Clothes campaigns are founded on an ethical commitment in favour of the Human Rights. But we would also like to buttress our approach with legal arguments. We have therefore appealed to the collaboration of the Tribunal Permanent des Peuples. The objective is to work out a legal approach at two levels: - the consumer's right to be informed of the working conditions under which the clothes they buy are produced; the liability of the distributors and the clothing companies at every stage of the production.
The program of the International Forum on Clean Clothes: April 30th, 6.30 p.m.: opening session in Palais des Congres
Presentation of the Forum, introductions by the Permanent Peoples Tribunal and the Clean Clothes Campaigns, presentation of the witnesses. April 30th, 9.00 p.m.: made in Dignity party in La Madeleine Food, drinks and great music! Bands from Paris/Northern Africa and Angola.
May 1st: participation in trade union events, possibilities to meet and discuss with the witnesses.
May 2nd and May 3rd: sessions of the Permanent Peoples Tribunal in the CES. Cases on the above mentioned companies and presentation of juridical reports. May 4th: deliberation of the jury (not public) May 5th: press conference with the conclusions of the jury.
After this international event, the witnesses will go to the different European countries where a Clean Clothes Campaign is active to participate in national events. The focus of these events will differ from country to country. A central point will be to present the outcome of the event in Brussels. Check with your local CCC for more details.
We hope to see you all in Brussels!
For further information contact "Clean Clothes Campaign" PO Box 11584 - 1001 GN, Amsterdam, Olanda, tel: 0031-20-4281824, fax: 0031-20-4209925, e-mail: ccc@xs4all.nl
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