European Union trade negotiations with Colombia: the human rights perspective 
Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, Sub-Committee on Human Rights, Houses of the Oireachtas, Wednesday 16 December 2009
ABColombia joined forces with Christian Aid, Trócaire, Front Line, the Latin American Solidarity Committee and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to present the human rights perspective on the European Union (EU) trade negotiations with Colombia to the Irish Parliament Sub-Committee on Human Rights on Wednesday 16 December 2009.
The Chair of the Sub-Committee, Senator Ivor Callely, invited ABColombia and its partners to make a presentation on the situation faced by human rights defenders in Colombia in the context of the trade negotiation currently underway between the EU and Colombia.
Yessika Hoyos, co-founder of the Colombian organisation ‘Sons and Daughters Against impunity’, whose father, a trade unionist, was killed in 2001, shared her fight against the impunity that surrounds her father’s case and the cases of thousands of other trade unionists who have been killed in Colombia.
Yessika also mentioned how the organisation she works for, the José Alvear Restrepo Lawyer’s Collective (CAJAR), has been one of the main targets of an immense intelligence operation against human rights organisations by the Colombian intelligence agency DAS that is under the President’s direct responsibility.
Yessika asked that the Sub-Committee “speak out against the signing of the proposed EU-Colombia Free Trade Agreement.” She added that “It is not right that the EU should sign such an Agreement with a government that violates human rights, and I ask that you continue to demand respect for human rights in Colombia”.
Read Yessika’s presentation in English and Spanish (pdf)
David Joyce, the Equality and Development officer of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) explained that the situation of trade unionists in Colombia is so serious that it has become a priority for the Irish trade unions.
He presented the recent letter written by ICTU and supported by all twelve Irish Members of the European Parliament that asks the European commission to suspend the negotiations on the trade agreement until human and trade union rights concerns are effectively dealt with.
Read David’s presentation in English (pdf)
Sophie Haspeslagh, ABColombia’s Programme and Advocacy Manager, presented the Colombian and international campaign for the right to defend human rights in Colombia.
Sophie said that “Colombian civil society is vibrant and active but many of its members carry out their work in defence of human rights in a climate of fear”. Sophie recalled the main recommendations of the joint campaign that calls on the Colombian government to:
1. End impunity for violations against human rights defenders
2. End the misuse of state intelligence
3. End systematic stigmatisation
4. End unfounded criminal proceedings
5. Structurally improve the protection programmes for people at risk.
Read Sophie’s presentation in English (pdf)
Sophie also presented the recommendations signed-up to by all the organisations present at the meeting. The meeting was attended by a cross section of TDs and Senators from different political parties and an interesting discussion ensued with the members of the Sub-Committee.
Read the recommendations to the sub-committee in English (pdf)
