Press Releases
MARCH 1ST 2022 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EUROPEAN CITIZENS INITIATIVE LAUNCHED TO ADDRESS 5G CONCERNS
- Citizens unite to change EU rules for 5G
A new European Citizens Initiative (ECI) has been launched in all 27 EU member states, including Ireland. The initiative, Stop (((5G))) – Stay Connected but Protected, has been launched by Europeans For Safe Connections, a collective banner for numerous national volunteer groups throughout European countries who share concerns regarding 5G deployment in their respective countries. Within Ireland the group is represented by Ireland For Safe Technology, “a volunteer-run national organisation advocating for the health and well-being of our communities, children, future generations and the natural world through common sense principles around the use and implementation of wireless technology in Ireland.” [1]
Ireland For Safe Technology member Aaron Kelly said: “There is huge public concern throughout Ireland regarding the roll-out of 5G and radio-frequency radiation exposure from wireless technology in general, and not just among the general public but at the political level as well. Between 2019 and 2020 nine Irish county councils voted to implement moratoriums on licensing for 5G until adequate safety studies have been carried out, yet our government seems determined to press ahead regardless with its Digital Connectivity Strategy which intends to have blanket 5G coverage and introduce so called smart cities.”[2][3]
He went on to say: “This action was taken as a European Citizens' initiative, a mechanism which gives EU citizens the legal right to propose new laws to the EU. The initiative comprises 23 new EU legislative proposals on three main areas: protection of life from microwave radiation; protection of environment from all impacts of 5G and digitalisation; and protection of our privacy, security and freedom.”[4]
The initiative along with the 23 legislative proposals was successfully registered with the EU Commission late last year, the task ahead now involves collecting 1 million signatures from citizens across the 27 member states.[5] Mr Kelly said: “We’re really pleased to have finally reached the signature gathering stage of the campaign. As Ireland is a small country our portion of the signatures required is less than ten thousand and we don’t believe we’ll have any trouble reaching that given the level of concern that has been expressed by the Irish public on this important matter. The massive roll-out of 5G technology threatens our health, our environment and our privacy and a substantial and growing portion of the Irish public is now aware of this despite questionable assurances there’s nothing to worry about from the very companies who stand to profit greatly from it.”
He added: “Once the required amount of signatures have been gathered our proposals will then be presented to the EU Parliament and Commission for a public hearing which the EU Commission will have to publish a formal response to.”
For more information on the initiative, to view the specific proposals and to add your signature visit:
https://irelandforsafetechnology.com/resources-europeansc.html
----------------------------------------------------------
ENDS
Additional Information on the 3 main areas of the proposals in the ECI initiative
Protection of life from microwave radiation
For years, in some cases for decades, scientists have warned about the consequences of the radiation pollution[6] from mobile technology. The NTP[7] and Ramazzini[8] studies showed the development of cancer in rats and the EU-funded Reflex[9] study showed oxidative stress which can cause DNA damage[10]. For mobile phone users, there is scientific evidence of other health effects, such as fertility problems and effects on brain function.[11]
Protection of environment from all impacts of 5G and digitalisation
5G is “an energy hog”[12] and is far from being a solution to climate change[13]. On the contrary, the digital ecological footprint will reach its peak with 5G. Our electronic devices have a large environmental impact. Phones contain many rare earth metals and minerals, which in the mining process often produce more than 2000 tons of toxic waste[14] for every single ton of metal produced.
Protection of our privacy, security and freedom
Big Data is the new gold. Data brokers are accumulating billions and trillions of data points worldwide. Massive personalized digital profiles are created about each of us. Harvesting our personal details goes far beyond what many of us can imagine. Our personal details are sold, leaked[15] or stolen for advertising, influencing, tracking or surveillance purposes[16].
For more information and verification contact:
Aaron Kelly: Ireland. info@irelandforsafetechnology.com 087-3858498 (after 6pm)
Pernille Schriver: ECI coordinator, Denmark. stop5geci@protonmail.com land line telephone +45 64670106 (after 4pm)
References
[1] Link to Ireland For Safe Technology group description
https://irelandforsafetechnology.com/who-we-are.html
[2] Link to wording of nine County Council moratoriums on 5G licensing
https://irelandforsafetechnology.com/resources-for-politicians.html
[3] Link to Digital Connectivity Strategy for Ireland draft paper 2022
https://www.gov.ie/en/consultation/d6f0e-consultation-on-the-digital-connectivity-strategy/
[4] Link to campaign objectives / specific proposals
https://signstop5g.eu/en/solutions/our-objectives
[5] Link to campaign registration with EC Commission
https://europa.eu/citizens-initiative/initiatives/details/2021/000009_en
[6] Link to Lancet study
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(18)30221-3/fulltext
[7] Link to NTP study
https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/whatwestudy/topics/cellphones/index.html
[8] Link to Ramazzini study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29530389/
[9] Link to Reflex study
https://www.jrseco.com/eu-reflex-study-shows-dna-damage-caused-by-radiation-from-wireless-devices-and-mobile-phones/
[10] Link to DNA study
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC8562392/
[11] Link to WHO International EMF Project - International Advisory Committee
paper (fertility/brain function )
https://www.academia.edu/49209568/World_Health_Organization_International_EMF_Project_International_Advisory_Committee_IAC_25th_anniversary_of_the_International_EMF_Project_and_the_10th_Optical_Radiation_meeting_South_Africa_National_Report_2021
[12] Link to 5G energy consumption
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/11/11/2124486/0/en/ABI-InterDigital-Report-Wireless-Ecosystem-Energy-Consumption-to-Grow-by-160-by-2030.html
[13] Link to “Green 5G or red alert” Miguel Coma, 2020
https://wsimag.com/science-and-technology/64080-green-5g-or-red-alert
[14] Link to Harvard International Review on rare earth toxic waste ratio
https://hir.harvard.edu/not-so-green-technology-the-complicated-legacy-of-rare-earth-mining/
[15] “533 million Facebook users' phone numbers and personal data have been leaked online” Insider 2021
https://www.businessinsider.com/stolen-data-of-533-million-facebook-users-leaked-online-2021-4?r=US&IR=T
[16] “Biometric and Behavioural Mass Surveillance in EU Member States” Report for the Greens/EFA in the European Parliament 2021
https://www.greens-efa.eu/biometricsurveillance/
Many more scientific resources can be found at
:
https://irelandforsafetechnology.com/recent-scientific-studies.html
JANUARY 20TH 2019 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOVEMBER 25TH 2019 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cork County Council questions 5G Safety
-Councillors call for independent investigations into radiation effects on public health -
Today Cork County Council passed motions questioning the safety of 5G wireless technology and calling on RTÉ to organise and conduct a national debate on the safety of 5G technology. [1]
The motions were tabled by Councillor Kevin Murphy and Karen Coakley who represent the Bandon/Kinsale and West Cork electoral areas respectively. Speaking outside the council chambers Councillor Murphy said
"It is my duty and responsibility as a public representative and Councillor, to make sure the public are fully informed about the potential health risks and benefits of 5G technology. Does Irish society have a necessity for 5G technology? Why do we need it so soon? Especially considering there are health concerns? I request that RTÉ our national broadcast service hosts a thorough public debate on prime-time about the pros and cons, risks and benefits of 5G technology with experts representing all sides."
The move was welcomed by new campaign group Ireland for Safe Technology. Group member Paul Lynch said: "We welcome today's move by our Councillors in advocating for the health of our communities and future generations. We are concerned about the lack of safety testing for 5G as we know that the World Health Organisation classify the radiation from this technology as cancer-causing. The people of Cork and more widely of Ireland have nothing to be gained by being used as guinea pigs in trialing 5G for the telecoms companies." [2]
Principal Investigator of Ireland's Governance Risk and Compliance Technology Centre Tom Butler said: "Scientific studies conclude that microwave radiation from wireless radio frequency sources, including 5G, poses an existential threat to humanity and the environment. Wireless microwave radiation is a toxin that scientists, epidemiologist and medical practitioners link with the recent significant increase in brain tumours and other cancers in teenagers and young adults and, also, significant increases in neuropsychiatric, neurodegenerative and reproductive issues in children, adolescents and adults. The evidence is there in the scientific literature, and the truth will out, but now is the time to act before irreparable harm is visited upon our children and grandchildren."
He continued: "Children are at a growing risk of present and future ill-health due to weak governments, captured government departments and agencies, corrupt institutions, a compliant press and unethical or ignorant academics. As with tobacco smoking and climate change, the scientific evidence has existed for some time and is growing by the year. The problem is that industry are winning the battle for hearts and minds by war-gaming academics, corrupting governments, manipulating the press, and leading the public by the nose. As is always the case with adult misconduct, the losers are the current generation of children.” [3]
Cork County Council is the 6th Council in Ireland to pass motions concerning 5G technology following Wicklow, Roscommon, Sligo, Leitrim, and Clare. The roll-out of 5G technology has been stopped in Brussels, Geneva, Israel, parts of Italy, the Netherlands, and many parts of Australia due to health concerns over radiation, and France has banned wireless internet in Schools altogether. [4]
----------------------------------------------------------
ENDS
For more information and verification contact:
Paul Lynch: 089 2553096
Tom Butler: 087 9865629
Councillor Kevin Murphy: 087 2417843
Councillor Karen Coakley: 0872360323
Notes
[1] Link to wording of Cork motions:
https://www.irelandforsafetechnology.com/news
[2] Campaign group website:
https://www.irelandforsafetechnology.com
[3] Links to scientific studies:
https://www.irelandforsafetechnology.com/recent-scientific-studies
[4] International Policy Briefing: https://ehtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/International-Policy-Precautionary-Actions-on-Wireless-Radiation.pdf