We have been shut out

There were 12 protests inside the conference centre yesterday, held by a number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) Now the WTO has banned NGOs from the press briefings, their only opportunity to be in the same room with delegates to the meeting.

The U.S. delegation lodged a complaint with the WTO over our peaceful action during their press conference yesterday. The WTO jumped when the U.S. spoke, and banned all NGOs from the press briefings.

At first, the WTO cited our protest at the U.S. press conference as a reason for banning all NGOs from the press briefings. Somehow, the WTO was told that we had thrown the maize used in our protest at the delegates. This was not true - we placed it in front of the delegates, while Alejandro Calvillo, from Greenpeace Mexico, read our statement. Then the action was over and we left the room.

We met with the WTO this morning and offered to hand in our accreditation badges if they would grant the other NGOs access to the press briefings. The WTO did not accept our offer.

So the WTO process becomes even more secretive and inaccessible. Negotiations are held behind closed doors - doors that are closed to both the press and NGOs. Now NGOs have been shut out of the only opportunity they have to present their views to delegates. With the slightest public protest being shut down in the hotel zone around the conference, the WTO continues to become more unaccountable and secretive.