(January 1, 2007) Once upon a time, sovereign debts were just that — debts or the entitlement to be repaid fully, including interest. During the 1970s it was thought unnecessary to make any distinctions between debts, based on the assumption that sovereigns might possibly become illiquid, but could never become insolvent.
Other News Sources
Odious debt, old and new: The legal intellectual history of an idea
(January 1, 2007) In a sense, all debts are odious; that is, to use dictionary definitions, “hateful; disgusting; offensive.”1 Yet insofar as international economic law today is concerned, only a certain few debts can be considered “odious debts” in order to contest and perhaps eventually to repudiate them.
The odious debt doctrine after Iraq
(January 1, 2007) The odious debt doctrine has experienced renewed popularity in the past few years; it has been heralded by academics, political commentators, economists, and politicians as a mechanism to alleviate burdens imposed by illegitimate rulers.
Ecuador at the crossroads: an integral audit of the public debt case
(January 1, 2007) Ecuador’s debt can be considered "illegitimate" from various perspectives: ethical, financial, legal and social. The flagrant violation of human, economic, social and ecological rights caused by the debt makes it illegitimate, unjust, immoral and unrepayable.
Illegal power plants, coal mines plague China
(December 27, 2006) On the edge of this dusty farming hamlet, the massive smokestack of the half-finished Xinfeng Power Plant looms as a monument to China’s out-of-control demand for energy.
Local authorities lambasted for environment neglect
(December 26, 2006) China’s top environmental official lambasted grassroots authorities here Tuesday, saying that serious local protectionism has fostered rampant environmental violations.
SEPA: hear petitions or face penalties
(December 26, 2006) Beijing: China’s environmental watchdog will help handle from now on environmental petitions to avoid being involved in court litigation again.
Huge China dam costly to farmers
Chongqing, China: Officials here say the mammoth Three Gorges Dam Project along the historic Yangtze River will control deadly flooding, provide electricity to millions of people, and create vital inland navigation along a 400-mile long reservoir.
France cancels 80% of its Iraqi debt
(December 22, 2006) France cancels the equivalent of $US5.2 billion of Iraqi debt, amounting to 80% of France’s claims towards Iraq.
China’s reporters face a backlash over investigations
(December 21, 2006) In a country where media censorship is national policy, Liu Jianqiang has pulled off some remarkable journalistic scoops. When a wealthy socialite struck and killed a farmer with her BMW in northeastern China three years ago — and then got off with a slap on the wrist — it was Mr. Liu, an investigative reporter from out of town, who dug deep into the case.
Media at the forefront of China’s environmental fight
(December 20, 2006) Environmental destruction has reached serious proportions in China, where press freedom remains a pipe dream. Yet, the government is trying to use the media to throw light on this growing problem — one that has the potential to undermine economic development.
Citizens file complaint against international finance corporation pulp and paper mills in Uruguay
(December 16, 2006) The Center for Human Rights and Environment (CEDHA)
Thailand and Myanmar at odds over Salween dams
(December 13, 2006) Signaling a potentially momentous change in its foreign policy toward Myanmar, Thailand’s new Energy Minister Piyasvasti Amranand has said he intends to reassess, and possibly abandon, the previous Thai government’s controversial joint-plans with Myanmar’s military junta to build five hydroelectric dams along the Salween River.
Scientists fail to find endangered white-flag dolphin
(December 13, 2006) A team of 30 Chinese and foreign scientists wrapped up their 39-day hunt for the rare white-flag dolphin here on Wednesday, regretting that they had failed to find the rare mammal in the Yangtze River, the species’ only habitat.
Kenyan corruption case a step forward for odious debts campaign
(December 12, 2006) An International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes tribunal has struck out a lawsuit against the Kenyan government over a contract dispute after it discovered the contract had been secured illegally through a US$2 million bribe paid to former President Daniel arap Moi.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
Lisa Peryman
Probe Media
Other News Sources
Probe International 