23 May 2005 - A Group of Euro-MPs have criticised the Canadian government for its decision to bar African diplomat Tewolde Egziabher from international UN talks on the safety of GM foods this week.

Dr Egziabher, the African nations’ Chief Negotiator, was refused a Visa to enter the country to participate in the Cartagena Bio-safety Protocol meeting, which starts on Wednesday (May 25) in Montreal.

Green MEP Caroline Lucas said the talks should be accessible to all and the decision to withhold a Visa ran counter to the principle of easy access for diplomats to meetings of UN agencies and violated African rights to defend their interests in international meetings.

Dr Lucas, South-East England’s Green Party MEP, Vice-President of the Parliament’s Consumer and Health Intergroup and member of its Environment Committee, said:

“Dr. Tewolde, the Ethiopian government’s chief scientist and its representative to the Montreal-based UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), had his passport returned without the requested Canadian visa and without explanation.

“This is incomprehensible and inexcusable: Canada has the honour of hosting the Cartagena Bio-safety Protocol meeting and it must grant free access to all delegates – or at he very least offer an explanation for refusing Dr Tewolde’s application.”

She added: “The EU must show solidarity with its African, Caribbean and Pacific partners by demanding the African Chief Negotiator receives his Visa before the meeting begins.”

ENDS