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Posted on Categories News

Anti-tobacco activists want growing banned

By Agatha Ayebazibwe

Friday, July 13

In Summary

The group says treating diseases caused by tobacco costs more than the revenue the crop brings.

Anti-tobacco advocates have called for a total ban of tobacco growing and manufacturing in Uganda, saying the money collected in tax revenue every year is not enough to treat people with tobacco-related illnesses.

The group under the Centre for Tobacco Control in Africa while meeting in Kampala, said tobacco benefits only tobacco companies and its money does not help ordinary Ugandans.

The administrator of the Centre for Tobacco Control in Africa, Dr Sheila Ndyanabangyi, said all the money got from tobacco companies ends up treating people who get lung cancer, which is caused by tobacco.

A man smokes cigerettes

 

Growing effects
“Money comes through Uganda Revenue Authority to the Ministry of Finance and economic development, which then passes it through to the public hospitals, national medical stores and the Uganda cancer institute in form of drugs for treatment of the increasing number of patients suffering tobacco-related diseases,” Dr Ndyanabangyi said.

According to Dr Ahmed Ogwal, the regional WHO adviser on tobacco use, the list of diseases originating from smoking either directly or indirectly has been growing over time to include cancer of the bladder, esophagus, larynx, lung, mouth, and throat, while smoking also has been linked to chronic lung disease, chronic heart and cardiovascular disease as well as reproductive problems.

A recent study by Mr Richard Carmona, a surgeon in the US, showed that tobacco smoking causes diseases such as acute myeloid leukemia and cancers of the cervix, kidney, pancreas and stomach; abdominal aortic aneurysm, cataracts, periodontitis and pneumonia which were previously not linked to smoking.

The anti-tobacco supporters are appealing to government to pass laws that should put a total ban on all tobacco farming and selling in the country, saying the burden of treating people with these diseases lies with the government, which spends tax payers’ money on treatment of diseases which are being legally manufactured in the country every day.

They revealed that an estimated 30,500 people in Uganda die of smoke-related infections every year.

Many more, according to the survey, die due to health complications accruing from passive smoking.

While there is no exact figure of the number of people who die of tobacco-related illnesses in Uganda, what is clear is that government spends billions in treatment annually.

The Uganda Cancer Institute’s 2012/13 Budget stands at Shs103 billion, while the amount of money in terms of revenue collected from tobacco industries in Uganda every year amounts to Shs68 billion, which the anti-tobacco crusaders say is way too little to treat the diseases they help to create.

The spokesperson of British American Tobacco, Mr Solomon Muyita, however, said the tobacco industry contributes largely to the economy of Uganda in terms of foreign exchange, tax revenue and employs over one million Ugandans.

“Apart from opposing tobacco growing, they are not doing anything to contribute to the economy unlike BAT which contributes $70m.”

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Anti+tobacco+activists+want+growing+banned/-/688334/1452516/-/ts12suz/-/index.html

Posted on Categories Featured 57 Comments on ACTA may be dead… but not yet buried

ACTA may be dead… but not yet buried

Raphael Vassallo
Opponents of the controversial ACTA legislation were in full celebration mode this week, following what many believe was a definitive rejection of the law by the European Parliament.

The EP rejected the controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) on Thursday, in a 478 to 39 vote with 165 abstentions: after the European People’s Party (EPP) unsuccessfully attempted to delay the decision.

The EPP’s proposed postponement was rejected in a 420 to 255 vote, with nine abstentions.

But while activists loudly proclaimed the resulting ‘death’ of ACTA, newswires were considerably more prudent in reporting the event. ACTA, we were told, was not quite ‘dead’, but rather on ‘life support’. For while the EP has now rejected the law in its present form, the European Commission is still awaiting a ‘verdict’ from the European Court of Justice regarding the legality of the law itself – suggesting that the final act in the ACTA saga may not be over yet.

Earlier this year the Commission had referred ACTA to the ECJ, with a view to determining ACTA was incompatible “in any way – with the EU’s fundamental rights and freedoms, such as freedom of expression and information or data protection and the right to property in case of intellectual property”.

EC representative to Malta, Martin Bugelli, confirmed this week that the Commission is still awaiting the results of the Court’s inquiry: “Citizens and the Parliament have raised concerns over the potential impact of intellectual property rights on other fundamental rights,” Bugelli told MaltaToday. “This is why the Commission will continue to wait for the opinion of the European Court of Justice and study it closely. The Commission would also discuss the outcome of the Court referral with other signatories of ACTA and would then consider further steps to take.”

However, critics of ACTA have all along argued that the reason for the original referral to the ECJ was to sidestep the European Parliament.

European Commissioner for Trade De Gucht had even hinted that the Commission’s referral was intended as a insurance policy against possible rejection by the EP: according to minutes of a Heads of Cabinet meeting in February 2012 (made public by European Digital Rights, an NGO aiming to protect freedom of expression in the internet) the European Commission was profoundly impressed by popular opposition to ACTA, and described the “strong mobilisation” against the agreement by “certain NGOs and movements active on the internet” as a “problem” for the European Commission.

EDRi reported that “the increasing opposition to ACTA on the streets and among Member States created a very real possibility that the European Parliament would vote ‘no’ to ACTA in June, effectively killing it”.

The Commission’s referral to the ECJ was interpreted as a pretext to keep alive the possibility of a revised version of ACTA, in case the Parliament went on the reject the law: as in fact happened this week.

But why is the Commission so keen to keep ACTA alive in the face of such overwhelming opposition by European citizens? Leaving aside conspiracy theories along the lines that that the EC is in collusion with major corporations to maximise profits – or, more sinister still, that it has an interest in curtailing internet freedom in a bid to exert more control over the masses – the ‘official’ reason for Europe’s insistence on an international anti-counterfeiting agreement has much more to do with safeguarding European businesses against unfair competition.

The controversy itself may have revolved mainly around privacy and personal liberty issues: but lurking in the background was concern with competition from China: namely, to protect Europe’s prime resource – its intellectual property – from being eroded by counterfeit products flooding European markets.

Bugelli admits that this was and remains a primary concern for the Commission. “Seeking protection for European creators and enterprises, and pursuing a more level playing field with other global players, was indeed one of the main aims of the proposed Agreement. That was precisely why it was important to have non-EU partners around the same table to play by the same rules.”

He also concedes that the vote against ACTA will be “a setback for the protection of our intellectual property rights around the world.

“As the Trade Commissioner De Gucht said in Parliament this week, other countries may read in this rejection as a reduced commitment by the EU to protect intellectual property rights and to enforce the rights of its industries and artists around the world.”

Bugelli adds that efforts to stave off illegal competition to the detriment of European resources will not be completely sidetracked by the defeat of ACTA in the EP.

“European competitiveness on the global stage remains on top of the agenda of the European Commission, and it will continue to seek ways to enhance it.”

Source: http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/ACTA-may-be-dead-but-not-yet-buried-20120709

Posted on Categories Featured, News

Abortion complications still robbing young lives in Uganda

Experts blame the high levels of abortions to lack of comprehensive contraception, sex education, safer abortion measures, and safe and quality post abortion measures

SPECIAL REPORT BY XINHUA CORRESPONDENT Ronald Ssekandi

KAMPALA (Xinhua) — Uganda spends 7.5 billion shillings (3.1 million U.S. dollars) annually treating complications resulting from unsafe abortion, a new study reveals.

The World Health Organization guidance on abortion-related services reveals that in Uganda, about 300,000 abortions are carried out every year and in Africa an estimated 68,000 girls die from unsafe abortion and many more are injured, some permanently.

While speaking at a national conference on reducing maternal mortality from unsafe abortion, Florence Mirembe, an associate professor at the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at Mulago hospital last week said abortion related complications are one of the leading causes of admissions to gynecological wards in hospitals across the country.

Charles Kiggundu, a consultant gynecologist and obstetrician says many women, especially youth die from complications of unsafe abortion in the East African country.

“There is evidence that whatever the law or restrictions attached to abortion, the practice only goes underground and kills more women,” he said.

Experts like Kiggundu blame the high levels of abortions in the country to lack of comprehensive contraception, sex education, safer abortion measures, and safe and quality post abortion measures for those that must have the abortions.

According to The State of Uganda’s Population Report, about 755, 000 women get unintended pregnancies each year and many end up having unsafe abortions.

In Ugandan law, abortion is illegal. Any person who, with intent, procures an abortion is subjected to imprisonment for 14 years.

The law, however, provides for exceptions for this violation in situations when a pregnancy endangers the life of the mother and in some cases where rape has been proved.

Most women choosing abortion are doing so because of unplanned pregnancies, rape, incest and poor marital relationships.

Experts say that more than half of all abortions are believed to be carried out by individuals equipped with the knowledge and tact. These include doctors, nurses and midwives.

The remaining procedures are performed by non-professionals, including pharmacists, traditional providers and women, according to Guttmacher Institute, a non-profit organization advancing sexual and reproductive health worldwide.

WHO places the number of women who die from complications resulting from abortions performed by unskilled practitioners every year at 67,000.

According to the global health body, unsafe abortions are characterized by the provider’s inadequate skills; unsanitary facilities and use of hazardous techniques.

Health risks at the time of an unsafe abortion include infection, hemorrhage, septic shock and abdominal injury.

In the long run, chronic problems such as pelvic infection, ectopic pregnancy and infertility can occur.

State owned New Vision daily in November last year published a story of Kansiime a 14 year old girl who was forced to abort by her 20 year old boyfriend.

“I got pregnant in June, and when I found out in July and told Adolf about it, he said I must abort because the Police would arrest him for defilement,” Kansiime said.

“Although I was not ready for pregnancy, I never wanted to abort. I wanted to have my baby but Adolf took me into a clinic. The “doctor” told me to lie on a bed and said he was going to terminate the pregnancy,” she said.

After the abortion, the doctor instructed her to leave and did not give her any medication, despite the tremendous pain and over- bleeding.

“I was told to come back the next day to remove the cotton wool that he had inserted in my private parts. By the time I came out, Adolf was nowhere to be seen. I had to walk 1km back home. My condition worsened at night,” Kansiime narrates.

Uganda ’s contraceptive use stands at 24 percent which is less than projected target of 50 percent by 2050.

The 2011/2012 national budget Uganda allocated 8 billion shillings (3.3 million U.S. dollars) for family planning.

Activists argue that for Uganda to reduce on the abortion levels which arise mainly because of unwanted pregnancies government must invest adequately in maternal health and family planning.

According to the United Nations Population Fund Uganda has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world standing at 435 deaths per 100,000 births while unsafe abortion causes up to 26 percent of the maternal deaths.

According to the UN population agency although more women in Uganda are now able to practice family planning, majority still lack full access to reproductive health services, including quality contraceptive services.

Reproductive Health Uganda , a local nongovernmental organization has embarked on a massive distribution of condoms and contraceptives in order to prevent unwanted pregnancies and HIV/ AIDS.

The organization is using university students to reach their peers educating them on using contraceptives

Posted on Categories Featured 97 Comments on The Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2012: The right of artistes

The Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2012: The right of artistes

The revamped Bill offers artistes different rights for different media

Not very long ago, issues like patents, trademarks, copyright, etc, collectively called intellectual property rights (IPRs), were sort of alien subjects relating mainly to foreign companies and some large Indian companies. However, people have become more conscious of their rights regarding their creations. The past few years have seen the emergence of a strong campaign by some leading film personalities for protecting the rights of writers, singers, lyricists, etc. The Indian Copyright Act, 1957 (the Act) governs the law applicable to copyright, modelled along the British laws. The Copyright Act of 1914 was, in turn, based on the British Copyright Act, 1911. Similarly, the Copyright Act, 1957 borrowed extensively from the Copyright Act of the United Kingdom of 1956.

According to Wikipedia, “Copyright is a right given by the law to creators of literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works and producers of cinematograph films and sound recordings. In fact, it is a bundle of rights including, inter alia, rights of reproduction, communication to the public, adaptation and translation of the work. There could be slight variations in the composition of the rights depending on the work.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines copyright as: “The exclusive right given by law for a certain term of years to an author, composer, etc (or his assignee), to print, publish and sell copies of his original work.”

The Act has served well but, in recent years, there was a demand for effecting changes in the Act to protect the interest of persons who have not been protected under the Act for no fault of theirs, mainly singers, lyrists, writers, etc. The Copyright Amendment Bill, 2012 (the Bill) incorporates the desired changes in the law. The Bill has been approved by both the houses of Parliament.

A major challenge before the lawmakers was about the fact that changes in technology could play havoc with the rights of a person, unless there is adequate protection in law; a case in point being the change in the way films, songs, etc, are produced and broadcast. A few decades back, there were not many modes or options available to producers of cinema to exploit their product, but the last decade and a half has changed the landscape dramatically. Today, producers of cinema have several avenues to exhibit their product and generate revenues for themselves and this includes the use of songs and music as well.
However, a problem arose when producers refused to share the additional spoils with the original creators/ singers on the ground that all the rights were with the producers as they had already paid for them. They refused to take cognisance of the fact that new technologies have provided hitherto non-existent avenues / mediums for exploiting different aspects of cinema and its music. The Bill attempts to redress this grievance of artistes of different genres who can assign different rights in respect of their creations.

A very important change in favour of the creators is that any such assignment will not be applicable to any medium or mode of exploitation of the work which did not exist or was not in commercial use at the time when the assignment was made. In other words, unless the assignment specifically referred to such medium or mode of exploitation of the work, it will not be automatically valid. The effect of the change will be that, in future, with the advent of new technologies and opening up of new avenues of revenue generation, the interest of assignees will be protected and they would be entitled to a share in the earnings generated by the new income streams.

The Bill has also attempted to streamline the functioning of the Copyrights Board by effecting important changes in its constitution and management. Hopefully, these changes will make the Copyrights Board nimble-footed to meet the demands of a dynamic situation where change will be the only constant.

Source: http://www.moneylife.in/article/the-copyright-amendment-bill-2012-the-right-of-artistes/26764.html

Posted on Categories Featured, News 65 Comments on MEPs finally reject ACTA copyright treaty

MEPs finally reject ACTA copyright treaty

By Stewart Mitchell

The European Parliament has rejected the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), drawing a line under a proposed law that has caused bitter debate for years.

ACTA started life behind closed doors as global rights holders and politicians looked to address intellectual property issues online.

European regulators held a key hand in the process, effectively signing – or not signing – on behalf of member states. Today MEPs voted overwhelmingly against the agreement, 478 to 39.

“This is a major victory for citizens and organisations who worked hard for years,” said campaign group La Quadrature du Net in a statement. “On the ruins of ACTA, we must now build a positive copyright reform, taking into account our rights instead of attacking them.

“The ACTA victory must resonate as a wake up call for lawmakers – fundamental freedoms as well as the free and open internet must prevail over private interests.”
Read more: MEPs finally reject ACTA copyright treaty | News | PC Pro http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/375670/meps-finally-reject-acta-copyright-treaty#ixzz1zoKUiSpQ

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