The International Office for Human Rights Action on Colombia

Business Human Rights

The European Parliament prioritises trade interests over human rights and sustainable development

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According to studies by the London School of Economics “the two Agreementslack mechanisms for monitoring and enforcing Human Rights”

The European Parliament has prioritised trade over human rights and sustainable development today in a vote that brings into force two agreements between the European Union and Central America, and Colombia and Peru. The agreements will not do enough to address human rights abuses in Latin America, and do not take into consideration the asymmetries between the two regions, according to broad group of civil society organisations.

Not all that is green is good – Paper on the increase of agrofuel production and its impacts

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Paper on the expansion of palm oil & sugar cane production and free trade agreements between the EU, Colombia, Peru and Central America. By the networks Aprodev, Alop, Cifca, Oidhaco and Grupo Sur, with the support of Oxfam Solidarité.

At the same time as Olivier de Schutter, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, urged the G20 to “put an end to public biofuel mandates and fiscal subsidies, which are a major factor in rising food prices and an important driver of the rush towards farmland in developing countries”, the EU is about to ratify Trade Agreements with Colombia and Peru and an Association Agreement with Central America (AA) that aim among other things to increase EU imports of basic commodities and in particular raw materials for agrofuel production.

EU Trade Agreements with Central America, Colombia and Peru: Roadblocks for sustainable development

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Publication of a paper that offers elements for consideration during a democratic debate before the European Parliament on the European Union (EU)-Colombia and Peru Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the EU-Central America (CA) Association Agreement (AA).

These agreements are expected to be presented by the European Commission to the Council and the European Parliament (EP). This will be the first time during the entire 4-year negotiation process that the EP can actually see and analyse the text, yet it cannot change or modify the agreements; it gives its consent by simple majority on a “take it or leave it” basis.

Trade at any price: The conditions for the Trade Agreement between the European Union and Colombia do not exist.

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This report provides a summary of aspects of the Trade Agreement between the EU and Colombia, currently in the process of being ratified, which are of deep concern to many sectors across Colombian civil society and international human rights organisations

Before negotiating a trade agreement with Colombia, the EU must ensure that human rights are being fully respected there, and that a trade agreement will not exacerbate the human rights crisis. In this document we present overwhelming evidence of the lack of human rights guarantees in Colombia, the continuance of the armed conflict and the grave situation in relation to poverty and social inequality. We ask the European Union and its member states if they know for certain whether the agreement currently on the table will support the fulfilment of human rights or if, on the contrary, it would contribute to making the situation worse.

Newsletter 15

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DAS: Operation Europe Although Colombia’s intelligence services have played an active role in the repression of civil society movements and human rights organisations for several decades now, the creation of the G-3 special group by the DAS

Although Colombia’s intelligence services have played an active role in the repression of civil society movements and human rights organisations for several decades now, the creation of the G-3 special group by the DAS (Administrative Department of Security) in 2004 marked a new departure.  From this date onwards, a systematic policy of phone-tapping, harassment and intimidation began, with its main victims being human rights defenders, Supreme and Constitutional Court judges, journalists and members of the opposition.  Because they were critical of government policies, all of them were treated like dangerous criminals and as a threat to state interests, and thus the subject of relentless persecution.

Our solidarity is universal.

We are deeply concerned about all victims of armed conflict, repression and violence around the world — from Sudan to Syria, including the persecution of the Rohingya and so many other crises that often receive less international attention than they deserve. Each of these situations calls for solidarity, remembrance, justice and action.

However, we have decided to specifically highlight the message ‘Stop Genocide in Palestine’ because what is happening in Palestine represents not only a human tragedy of enormous magnitude, but also a direct challenge to the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law and to the rules-based international system itself. The indifference and complicity of much of the international community in the face of the apartheid regime imposed by the Israeli government on the Palestinian people represent one of the greatest moral and political contradictions of our time.

The persistent violation of essential norms — such as the protection of the civilian population, the prohibition of collective punishment and respect for proportionality in the use of force — not only has devastating consequences for the Palestinian population, but also erodes the global mechanisms designed to limit the power of states and prevent abuses.

When these rules are repeatedly breached without any effective consequences, the framework that protects all populations in conflict situations, anywhere in the world, is weakened. Therefore, speaking out in this case does not mean ignoring other forms of suffering, but rather emphasising the urgency of defending an international order which, if it collapses, leaves everyone in a more vulnerable position.

Drawing attention to this situation is, therefore, an act consistent with the universal values we uphold: the protection of life, human dignity and respect for international law, without exception.

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