The next Newsletter will be out in mid-July, ahead of the European Parliament's Summer Recess
Jean Elected to Liberty's Council
At Liberty's AGM, Jean was elected to the organisation's Council body. As a longstanding supporter of Liberty's work, Jean was extremely pleased to be elected to the Council, and will be working to further Liberty's key aim of protecting civil liberties.
International Day Against Homophobia ( IDAHO)
IDAHO is marked every year on 17 May - the day the World Health organisation finally removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders. In a statement of support, Jean emphasised the importance of eliminating homophobia from the world completely.
Fair Trade Day
As the international celebration of fair trade took place around the world on 13th May, Jean called for the UK to really make a difference and buy fair trade goods everyday of the year, not just on World Fair Trade Day.
Guantanamo Bay Seminar
Jean chaired a seminar on Guantanamo Bay, hosted by the Institute of Race Relations. The main speaker was Victoria Brittain, journalist and co-author, with Moazzem Begg, of Enemy Combatant: a British Muslim's journey to Guantanamo and, with Gillian Slovo, of the play Guantanamo: honour bound to defend freedom.
Westminster Meeting on Human Rights in Turkey
Jean was one of the key speakers at a meeting in the House of Lords on violence and repression of the Kurds in Turkey. Other speakers included members of a recent fact-finding mission to Turkey, including the chair of the Bar Human Rights Committee.
Sikh Remembrance Event, Trafalgar Square
Jean supported this event, organised by London Sikhs. The event commemorated the tragic events of June 1984 in Amritsar, Panjab and the need for justice for the victims. The military crackdown in Panjab in June 1984, resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Sikh civilians during the attack on the Golden Temple complex. Jean gave a video message in support of the event and issued a public statement.
Working Lives Research Institute
As a member of the advisory board to the WLRI, based at London Metropolitan University, Jean participated in a meeting which discussed issues of racism and discrimination faced by Londoners in the workplace, and Health and Safety Executive concerns relating to safety issues for migrant workers.
Nurses Day
To mark Nurses Day 2006 Jean praised the dedication and invaluable care nurses give to the profession and warned against NHS staffing cuts that would stretch nurses to the limit under pressure but would ultimately effect standards within the NHS.
Local Election Night, 4 May
On election night, Jean was one of the guests on the late night BBC 1 Local Election Programme with David Dimbleby, commenting on the results as they cam in. Jean was thrilled to be able to talk about Green gains! The Greens went from 1 to 12 seats in London, and made gains elsewhere in the UK, holding all seats they were defending.
Visit to RSPB Reserve, Rainham Marshes
Jean was given a guided tour of RSPB's large reserve on the eastern edge of London. Jean met the RSPB's European Manager and the Rainham reserve Manager, and discussed key issues of importance for the organisation and the reserve. Jean is keen to continue to support the protection of London's wildlife, habitats and open spaces.
World Environment Day and the Big Recycle
As the Big Recycle kicked off on World Environment Day, Jean gave Londoners a few handy tips as to how they could make recycling and green thinking part of everyday life including; using water wisely; recycling all materials possible; installing a compost bin and water butt; and switching to energy saving light bulbs.
Compost Awareness Week
With over 30 million tonnes of municipal waste produced in the UK every year Jean marked Compost Awareness week (7– 13 May) by urging the UK to think before they bin their rubbish and compost their waste into the garden instead of the landfill site.
Constituents' Concerns
Many constituents have written concerning Ernesto Leal. Ernesto, a Hackney resident living in the UK for many years, following his exile from Chile, was recently arrested and is being unfairly threatened with deportation. Jean has raised these concerns with the Home Office. More information can be found at: www.friendsofernesto.org.uk.
Social Inclusion DVD
For two days, Jean was filmed in the European Parliament by journalists from Redcurrent Films and Newham Sixth Form College. The team are making a DVD on how the EU impacts on social inclusion. Filming will also take place in London.
Young Solicitors Visit
Jean hosted a Parliamentary visit by the Young Solicitors Group. The visit comprised of a talk, tour of the Plenary chamber and a question and answer session with Jean. The group posed a variety of questions on issues ranging from a typical MEP day to Europe's role in safeguarding the environment.
Sustainable Development
Jean, as the Employment Committee representative on the Sustainable Development Strategy, made a valuable contribution to the recent Austrian Presidency report in which "green training" is now highlighted as a vital aspect of sustainable development.
Shadowing Scheme
Jean was joined for a day by Emma Haddad from the Home Office as part of a scheme to increase understanding of the relationship between the UK and EU. Emma participated in meetings which Jean held with the Jesuit Refugee Service and with a research fellow from the Centre for European Policy Studies.
Services
With Services of General Interest now high on Parliament's agenda, Jean took part in the Group press conference on this issue. Jean re-iterated the Group position that such services need to be protected from competition rules and be reinforced and developed.
Anti Racism Lunch
As Vice President of the Anti-Racism Inter-group, Jean took part in a working lunch at which Jenny Watson, Chair Equal Opportunities Commission initiated an informal discussion on the interaction between race and gender discrimination.
Anti Gypyism
Along with Claude Moraes, Jean concluded this morning conference which looked into media representations of the Roma community.
Strasbourg
Plenary
In the May Strasbourg Session we heard speeches from Bolivian President Morales and Mahmoud Abbas who stated "there is a Palestinian partner for peace with Israel". MEPs voted on food safety and debated human rights in the world. On the issue of enlargement, it was concluded that Romania and Bulgaria would be able to join the EU in 2007 if they resolve remaining failings.
Meetings
Jean held several meetings in Strasbourg including a discussion on asylum returns with the Report's Author, a meeting with the Sri Lankan Ambassador (Jean was involved in the drafting of the Resolution on Sri Lanka) and Lunch with the President of Greece.
Chemicals Written Declaration
Jean is author of the current Written Declaration on Chemical Weapons. It calls for a world wide ban on chemical weapons and remembers those who have been affected by their use. Because the Declaration will lapse on the 26 July, we ask that you write to your MEP urging them to sign. To find out how to contact your MEP CLICK HERE
Jean in Washington - CIA
Jean is a member of the European Parliament Temporary Committee which is investigating CIA involvement into extra-ordinary rendition flights on EU soil. Jean and other MEPs traveled to the US on a fact finding mission. Unfortunately, few politicians or journalists were willing to go "on the record" with their findings. Moreover, the Bush Administration was reluctant to openly cooperate - in the end the delegation was met by John Bellinger, top legal adviser to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. He flatly denied any wrong doing by the CIA.
Jean in Glasgow - ECRE
Jean gave a key note speech at the European Council on Refugees and Exile's Spring Conference in Glasgow. The event aimed to inform the ECRE membership of ways to increase their involvement in shaping the European policy agenda.
Letter from Jean Lambert printed in the Guardian on 18th May 2006, 'Another Atomic Age for Britain?'
It would seem Tony Blair has confirmed his decision to embark on the unnecessary road to nuclear power without giving any consideration to the alternatives. There are 21 renewable technologies available in the UK that are affordable, safe and clean and do not threaten the planet.
But Blair's reluctance to explore these possibilities means he may never realise that the UK has the ability to meet its electricity needs three times over with the use of wind power at sea alone.
Instead of paying for nuclear power Blair should be investing in a future of renewable energy, devoting his attention to fixing the "technical problems" he sees with wind and solar power. Nuclear power doesn't provide a solution to climate change and can only bring danger and disruption to the UK.
Due to the upcoming Summer Recess, the next newsletter will be in mid July.
3-11 June, Stop the Arms Trade Week
4-18 June, London Sustainability Weeks, across London.
7-9 June, European Parliament Delegation visit to asylum centres, Canary Isles
22 June, EPSU Conference on Services of General Interest, Brussels
27 June, POLIS meeting on Transport and Social Inclusion, Brussels
1 July, Europride, London
1–9 July, National Mammal Week
7 July, 1st Anniversary of London Bombings
8 July, Rise: London United Festival, Finsbury Park.
9 July, International Gun Destruction Day
15–16 July, Sport Relief
22 July, Big Gay Out
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