Resources

This is a library of QUNO publications, newsletters, and statements. Recent Publications

April 2005

References to Standing Invitations in the documents submitted to, and resolutions of, the 61st session of the UN Commission on Human Rights

References to Standing Invitations in the documents submitted to, and resolutions of, the 61st session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, March-April 2005.

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April 2005

References to Women in Prison and Children of Imprisoned Mothers in the documents submitted to, and resolutions of, the 61st session of the UN Commission on Human Rights

References to Women in Prison and Children of Imprisoned Mothers in the documents submitted to, and resolutions of, the 61st session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, March-April 2005.

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March 2005

Babies and Small Children Residing in Prisons

In the course of QUNOs work on the situation of women in prison, it became clear that imprisonment of women had an enormous impact upon children. This publication concerns babies and young children who stay in prison with their mothers. There are no obvious right or wrong answers to several of the dilemmas raised: neither separating babies and young children from their mother nor imprisoning them with their mother is desirable. This research tries to outline what the rights of the child in such a situation are, and how they can best be protected.  Some examples of strategies and good practices have been included. Also included are guidelines and suggestions for drafting legislation, regulations, policies and programmes regarding babies and small children residing in prisons.

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January 2005

Rethinking Innovation, Development and Intellectual Property in the UN: WIPO and Beyond

This paper critically analyses the increasing level of international intellectual property standards, the lack of economic analysis of such higher standards, the undemocratic and ideological international standard-setting processes, and the lack of coordination within and among developing countries on intellectual property matters. It argues that the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) should not be the only UN agency to deal with intellectual property.

To meet the challenges the paper analyses, it suggests implementing a development agenda for WIPO and taking deliberate steps to position other UN agencies to provide substantive contributions to global policies on innovation, development and intellectual property.

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January 2005

The Politics and Practicalities of a Disclosure of Origin Obligation

QUNO - Occasional Paper 16

This paper examines some issues that may influence the establishment of an internationally binding disclosure of origin obligation, and suggests possible strategies to achieve the developing countries’ objective. To this end, it addresses a number of political and practical questions that seem relevant.

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October 2004

Bilateral agreements and a TRIPS-plus world: the Chile-USA Free Trade Agreement

In these issues papers, the author examines a subject of importance in the developing international intellectual property regime and highlights the key issues arising. The topics have been chosen following consultations with negotiators from developing countries and respond to their concerns. The papers arise out of collaborative work between the Quaker International Affairs Programme in Ottawa and the Quaker United Nations Office in Geneva. Our aim is to contribute to a greater understanding of the impact of changes in this area upon people’s lives and better inform debate and negotiations.

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August 2004

Harmonisation or Differentiation in Intellectual Property Protection? The Lessons of History

Part One of the paper explains how the priority of achieving minimum standards of protection and enforcement of existing IPRs has been superseded by that of global IP harmonisation for patents and what may be referred to as dynamic responsiveness for copyright. It also identifies the strategies being adopted to accelerate and deepen these processes. Part Two aims to demonstrate that this is very important and raises very high economic stakes.

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June 2004

Women in Prison and Children of Imprisoned Mothers: Preliminary Research Paper

This is QUNO's initial publication on the question of women in prison, and their children. It is detailed, and as a preliminary research paper, it deals with a wide range of issues. It first provides an overview of and statistics concerning women in prison as a whole. It then looks at different groups of women – indigenous women, foreign nationals, transgender prisoners - and how they are affected by imprisonment. The paper then looks at mothers in prison and their children – whether imprisoned with or separated from their mothers. Perspectives on  healthcare for women in prison are offered. Finally, there is a section on abuse, inappropriate procedures and torture that women in prison may face.

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April 2004

Why Adolescents Volunteer: Oral Statement to UN Commission on Human Rights

An oral statement by Friends World Committee for Consultation (Quakers), to the 60th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. It highlights the importance of understanding the reasons for which young people volunteer for armed forces and armed groups, citing the importance of such understanding for demobilisation and long-term re-integration efforts.

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January 2004

Patents, Trade and Health

This non-specialist briefing paper describes how global rules on trade and patents can make medicines more expensive. It also describes how countries have sought to address this problem.

It suggests ways concerned individuals can get involved and points to other key actors working on these topics.

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January 2004

Bilateral Agreements and a TRIPS-plus World: The Chile-USA Free Trade Agreement

Focuses on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Chile and the United States of America (U.S.). The paper deals with broad aspects of trade, including general provisions establishing a free trade zone between the two countries, settlement of disputes, market access, services, investment, telecommunications and intellectual property (IP).

Its purpose is to contribute to a better understanding of TRIPs-plus issues, the specific contents of the FTA and the lessons that could be drawn from the negotiations between the most powerful and technologically advanced country in the world – with clear stakes in IPRs – and a small and dynamic developing country that has one of the most open and liberal economies of the Americas.

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January 2004

Patents, Trade and Food

This is a beginners' introduction about patents and other forms of intellectual property and how they can affect agriculture and food security. It refers to key actors working in this field and suggests ways that individuals can get involved.

Although published in 2004, its key points are valid today.

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January 2004

Patents, Trade and Development

This beginners' introduction to rules on patents, copyright and other forms of intellectual property describes how they affect distribution of wealth and power.  It describes what patents are, and how intellectual property rules underpin the control of, access to and use of technology, knowledge, medicines, seeds, biodiversity, scientific research and much more.

It suggests ways concerned individuals can get involved and points to other key actors working on these topics.

Although published in 2004, its key points are valid today.

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December 2003

Multilateral Agreements and a TRIPS-plus World: The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

Discusses TRIPs-plus standards at the multilateral level particularly in negotiations at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

The World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) substantially changed the international intellectual property regime by introducing the principle of minimum intellectual property standards. This paper discusses WIPO's structure, decision making and mandate in relation to UN development goals, and its role in harmonising patent law standards. It also considers the TRIPs-plus concept and provides policy recommendations for a development orientated international intellectual property system.

This is TRIPs issues paper number 3, published by QUNO Geneva and Quaker International Affairs Programme (QIAP), Ottawa.

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December 2003

"Child Soldiers: Why Adolescents Volunteer": Written Statement to UN Commission on Human Rights

A written submission by Friends World Committee for Consultation (Quakers), to the 60th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. It highlights the importance of understanding the reasons for which young people volunteer for armed forces and armed groups, citing the importance of such understanding for demobilizaton and long-term reintegreation efforts.

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November 2003

Paper on Adolescent Volunteers given at the Spanish Red Cross Conference, Valencia, Spain

This presentation highlights five major (but not exclusive) factors leading youngsters to join armed forces or armed groups without being coerced. These are: war, poverty, education, employment and family. It is important to understand these factors in efforts to demobilize/reintegrate former child soldiers.

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October 2003

Special and Differential Treatment of Developing Countries in TRIPS

Analyses the special and differential treatment provisions in the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPs) Agreement, assesses their implementation in support of development, and makes 10 recommendations for change.

These questions arise as differential and more favourable treatment of developing countries has been a fundamental principle of the General Agreement on Tarrifs and Trade (GATT) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

This is TRIPs Issues Paper number 2, published by QUNO, Geneva and the Quaker International Affairs Programme (QIAP), Ottawa

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