Global Justice Declaration Defending our Livelihoods, Defending the Cotton Farmer We cotton farmers, people living with HIV/AIDS, youth, women, cross border traders and economic justice activists participating in the Global Week of Action Economic Justice Festival in the Harare Gardens, Zimbabwe, 13 April 2005 note with great concern testimonies given by cotton farmers. The peasant farmers have lamented the grand robbery that has pushed their households into abject poverty. The enemy is known. It is the unfair low prices that cotton is fetching in the current marketing season. It is the unfair world trading system. It is the failure of global institutions such as the WTO to deliver social justice to the poor and downtrodden producers of this earth. We are aware that these low prices are stemming from heavy trade distortions caused by the US cotton subsidies and those of other Northern governments. We are aware that the subsidies are illegal. In fact they are unjust and cruel as they are causing untold suffering in our communities in Gokwe, Guruve and other cotton producing areas in Zimbabwe. We are also aware of the super profits that cotton merchants are getting on the back of starving communities. Owing to the multitudes dying from preventable diseases, with girl children being thrown out of school, we are therefore demanding: 1. An immediate reduction and total elimination of US cotton subsidies. 2. The Zimbabwe government to join hands with other African countries to push for the elimination of the illegal and unjust US cotton subsidies. 3. The Zimbabwe government to ensure that the voice of cotton producers is heard in all production and pricing negotiations that are of interest to small farmers. On our part, we undertake to campaign in solidarity with Zimbabwean cotton farmers in realizing trade justice for all small producers. Knowing the plight of other cotton farmers in Africa and across the developing world, we the undersigned shall sustain a campaign to ensure that justice is delivered to the hardworking but suffering cotton farmers. Defending the Cotton Farmer: A call to Action Name Organisation Address Signature