Stop the murder of trade unionists in Colombia - Stop the
EU-Colombia Free Trade Agreement
Despite the continuing murder of trade unionists in Colombia,
the European Union appears to be intent on rewarding the Colombian
regime with a Free Trade Agreement. The Colombian trade union
movement is completely opposed to this and similar trade agreements
with the USA, Norway and Canada are all currently blocked by their
respective parliaments due to human rights concerns.
For the EU to push ahead regardless of the human rights
situation will send completely the wrong signal to the Colombian
authorities about the importance that the EU attaches to human
rights and, as others have so far refused to grant such agreements
to Colombia, the EU will be responsible for breaking the
international consensus around this issue.
Unite the Union is committed to and are working with
Justice for Colombia on their Trade Campaign, urging the EU not to
support the continued violence and impunity against trade unionists
and human rights campaigners in Colombia.
The murder of trade unionists in Colombia is on the rise, with a
25% increase in 2008 compared to the previous year.
For details on the increase in trade unionists being assassinated
in Colombia see the new Fact Sheet. Click here
We do not believe Colombia should be rewarded with a Free Trade
Agreement whilst workers continue to be murdered simply for
standing up for their basic rights. Europe should stand together
with the rest of the international community in condemning this
horrific situation and telling the regime in Bogota that trade
benefits will only be offered if the human rights situation
improves.
The Colombian trade union movement has asked the European labour
movement to support them by stopping this Free Trade Agreement and
trade unions around Europe and Global Federations have joined the
campaign.
For more information see our new report on this issue "Trading Away
Human Rights". Click here
Please join the Justice for Colombia campaign in support of
trade unionists in Colombia. Follow the link below to a few
suggestions on how to get involved.
http://www.justiceforcolombia.org/?link=3_0_3
For further information on Unite’s work on this campaign and our
wider solidarity work with Colombia please contact ben.richards@unitetheunion.org
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