COLOMBIA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT IS STALLED BUT THE FIGHT IS NOT OVER

HELP US MAKE THE VOICE FOR
WORKER RIGHTS & ECONOMIC JUSTICE GROW LOUDER-:
TELL CONGRESS TO SAY NO to the COLOMBIA FTA

The Colombia FTA reflects more of the same harmful trade policies that have contributed to: the loss of over 3.7 million manufacturing jobs in the U.S.; increased undocumented immigration, and the devastation of the livelihood of family farmers in the U.S. and abroad.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi demonstrated to the Bush administration that Congress will not be bullied and forced to hold a vote on the Colombia Free Trade Agreement despite several labor and human rights concerns that have not been addressed in the country. On April 10, 2008, the House of Representatives voted 224 to 195 to remove the 90 day timetable, leaving the future of a vote on the Colombia FTA in limbo. Although this was a victory for trade unionists, human rights activists, and indigenous and Afro-Colombian people; this victory is temporary. This is why we need you to help us maintain pressure on Congress, reminding them that we urge them to oppose the Colombia Free Trade Agreement if it comes up for a vote again.

There's a sample letter to your Congressperson below expressing the concerns of human rights and labor activists, indigenous people and Afro-Colombians. You can feel free to edit it, or add your own comments as to why you think your Congressperson should oppose the Colombia FTA.
If your Congressperson is among those who didn't vote, at the bottom of the letter there is a request for him or her to tell you where they stand on the issue and how they will vote if the Colombia FTA comes up for a vote again.

Tell me more

Talking Points

OPPOSITION TO THE COLOMBIA FTA IS BASED ON SERIOUS & QUESTIONABLE ACTIONS ON THE PART OF THE COLOMBIAN GOVERNMENT :

The inability to protect labor leaders from being targets of violence and murder (2,283 murdered since 1991)
The consistent failure to enforce basic labor rights and suppression of unionizing efforts
A questionable commitment to the investigation and prosecution of the murders of unionists
Attempts to strip away constitutional land rights possessed by indigenous & Afro-Colombian communities without their consultation.

Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

(Edit Letter Below)

Although this administration and proponents of the Colombia Free Trade Agreement insist on portraying free trade agreements as vehicles to development, peace and securing democracy; I am well aware that these arguments are only a sales pitch and this country's experience with NAFTA proves otherwise.

There are serious issues of human rights, worker rights and social and economic justice that are being consistently threatened and efforts to address the concerns of workers, and indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities have been insufficient.  In the case of Afro-Colombians and indigenous people, their voice has been suppressed through the creation of organizations that claim to represent their interests but seek to advance the Colombia FTA.

Labor leaders continue to be murdered in Colombia, making it the most dangerous country in the world for labor.

There are thousands of homicide cases yet to be resolved and there can be no serious long-term commitment to the investigation and prosecution of the assassinations of unionists.

Free trade agreements have benefited a few while increasing inequalities, poverty, worker dislocation, and stimulating mass undocumented immigration to the U.S.

It is absurd to even consider supporting this trade agreement in light of the widespread economic insecurity the U.S. is facing.

We cannot continue to support any more free trade agreements unless they are fair, promote widespread and equitable development while protecting labor and environmental rights in practice, not theory.

The COLOMBIA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT is more of the same flawed and inequitable trade policy that we cannot allow to persist.  This is why I urge you to SAY NO to the COLOMBIA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT.

I would appreciate a response from your office detailing where you stand on this issue and whether you will oppose or support the Colombia FTA if it comes up for a vote.

Thank you,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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