Take Action:
Stop the U.S.-Colombia FTA from a Lame Duck Vote and tell the U.S. State Department that their decision to clear the Colombian army of human rights violation is the wrong one.
With the 110th Congress wrapping up at the end of this month to prepare for the November 4th elections, U.S.-Colombia FTA supporters are lobbying in full force as they desperately seek a vote on the deal before Congress officially adjourns. Since a vote on the controversial FTA before the elections would be too politically costly for many members, proponents are banking on a Congressional “lame duck” vote in December if Congress reconvenes.
As the human rights tragedy in Colombia continues, it’s important that the State Department keeps using its influence--instead of throwing its leverage away--to push and prod the Colombian government into bringing those who have committed human rights abuses to justice and to do more to stop the systematic killings of trade unionists and civilians. The State Department’s decision to clear Colombia of its abusive human rights record is worrisome and eerily timed given the pro-FTA lobby blitz.
Your voice of opposition to a lame duck vote on the FTA and the State Department’s decision is needed!
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi continues to reaffirm her position that no vote will take place on the FTA until after a second economic stimulus package is enacted and a vote is held on Trade Adjustment Assistance for workers who have lost their jobs due to trade. However, these measures would only address a portion of the concerns raised with the FTA under consideration. In addition, there is deep unease over passing this measure without substantively addressing continued systematic human rights violations in Colombia including:
- the 3.8 million displaced people forced from their homes--a disproportionate number of whom are Afro-Colombian and Indigenous people;
- 41 trade unionists murders in Colombia in the first eight months of 2008, more than all of 2007, with an impunity rate in trade union murders still over 96%;
- several hundred extrajudicial executions of civilians by members of the Colombian armed forces in 2007;
- purportedly demobilized paramilitaries resurfacing with new names; and
- intimidation and death threats continuing against human rights activists in Colombia.
Approving sweeping free trade provisions with a country engaged in a five decade conflict will perpetuate the violent intersections of commerce and conflict. To learn more how these intersections have resulted in human rights violations read and download our report entitled The Violent Intersections of Commerce and Conflict: Examining the U.S.-Colombia FTA and Plan Colombia.
First CLICK HERE and send a simple, but strong, message to the State Department: wrong decision, wrong time, wrong message.
Then urge your members of Congress to take a public stand and stop the vote on the FTA:
- Call
(202) 224-3121 and ask the Capitol Switchboard operator to connect you to your member of Congress’ office, or visit www.congress.org to find out who represents you in Congress. Ask your member of congress to publicly oppose the U.S.-Colombia FTA and reject a lame duck vote on the trade deal. Click here to select from one of the provided talking points to support your argument. - Call 1-202-224-3121 again and ask for one of your two senators. Repeat the message, and then call your other senator.
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Photos courtesy of David Bacon
