Estonian MPs Demand Transparency
Estonian MPs confront the veil of secrecy and demand transparency, broader access and democratic accountability in the lead up to the World Health Organization’s COP9
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by Dave Cross
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INNCO says: “In November 2021, delegates from across the world will attend a powerful WHO conference. Decisions taken will impact every country on the planet. The health of former and current smokers who have a right to access lifesaving nicotine alternatives hangs in the balance.”
The problem the world faces is that despite a commitment to transparency, the WHO have barred independent journalists and consumer representatives from accessing the event as spectators.
Estonian MPs Tarmo Kruusimäe and Madis Milling appeared in a video confronting the veil of secrecy and demanded transparency, broader access, and democratic accountability.
Interview
“I wrote again to Minister of Health and Labour Mr Kiik and I said that the WHO will meet in the autumn,” says Tarmo Kruusimäe. “I asked, how is it, that our officials will attend and defend Estonia’s positions, but how is the Estonian stance formed and could a Member of Parliament know these positions?”
“I also asked if an Estonian Parliament Member could be an observer? I do not require the right to vote there. I don't want people going there who don't have a clue about the background, who are not in touch with the subject.”
INNCO Banned From COP8
“They go there, receive the commandments, and mark these as classified for two decades. And then we are expected to make decisions by speculating on how much the officials actually understood!”
“They wouldn’t know their arse from their elbow. They have been given a slate of directions restrict, prohibit, prohibit, restrict, restrict, prohibit.”
The hard-hitting interview is damning of the current political approach to the Conference of Parties. It is time for change.
References:
- International Network of Nicotine Consumer Organisations - https://innco.org/
Dave Cross
Journalist at POTVDave is a freelance writer; with articles on music, motorbikes, football, pop-science, vaping and tobacco harm reduction in Sounds, Melody Maker, UBG, AWoL, Bike, When Saturday Comes, Vape News Magazine, and syndicated across the Johnston Press group. He was published in an anthology of “Greatest Football Writing”, but still believes this was a mistake. Dave contributes sketches to comedy shows and used to co-host a radio sketch show. He’s worked with numerous start-ups to develop content for their websites.
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