Urgent Action

TAKE ACTION

No Deal: Canada-Colombia Free Trade

Write the government of Canada with your concerns about free trade with Colombia and to support human rights there.

Deadline: November 30, 2007

Background

KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justices Initiatives, of which the United Church of Canada is a member, is calling on Canadians to write to Prime Minister Stephen Harper to express their concern about negotiations towards a free trade deal with Colombia and Peru. Prime Minister Harper's visit to Latin America this summer included a stop in Colombia, where he announced that free trade negotiations with Colombia and Peru would begin.

But Colombia is a country in a severe human rights crisis, which the United Nations declares the worst in the Americas. The present government has close ties with Colombia's notorious paramilitary forces that are responsible for thousands of disappearances and extra-judicial executions. Under President Alvaro Uribe, more than a million additional people have become internally displaced for a total of 3.7 million. On average, eight civilians are killed each day.

But, in the midst of staggering impunity, Prime Minister Harper stated during his visit: "We're there to encourage you and help you. We're not going to say, 'Fix all your social, political and human rights problems, and only then will we engage in trade relations with you.' That's a ridiculous position." This rigid position that equates democracy and freedom with free trade negotiations serves to further exacerbate the human crisis. Lilia Solano, Director of Project Justice and Life (a Colombian partner of KAIROS and The United Church of Canada), challenged Prime Minister Harper with the response, "Blood is running, but business comes first!" Even the U.S. Congress has delayed a vote on the US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement because of human rights concerns.

The next round of negotiations is scheduled to be in Peru in the last week of November. There is widespread concern that the government will rapidly conclude negotiations without any real input or consultation. Moreover, KAIROS is concerned that unless the human rights crisis is addressed, free trade will only serve to further stark inequalities without addressing the root causes of the conflict.

Now is not the time to close a free trade deal with Colombia. Rather, it is the time for Prime Minister Harper to demonstrate his government's commitment to human rights in Colombia. Until the crisis in Colombia is resolved, free trade and foreign investment will only accentuate it and further buttress the acutely disparate and unequal society.

Take Action

·         Write to Prime Minister Stephen Harper today! Ask that his government:

o         stop negotiating free trade with Colombia.

o        address the widespread impunity, assassinations, human rights violations and structural inequalities

o        carry out a full human rights impact assessment before going forward. 

o        hold a full parliamentary and public debate

o        adopt a new approach to trade that improves the condition of those affected by violence and conflict and living in poverty, including indigenous peoples, Afro-Colombians, women, and internally displaced persons

·         Send copies of our letters to your Member of Parliament.

·         Continue to pray for the people of Colombia.

·         Learn more about the United Church's global partners in Colombia, and about KAIROS work in Colombia.

Send your letter to:

Prime Minister Stephen Harper Prime Minister's Office
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON
Fax: 613-941-6900
E-mail: pm@pm.gc.ca

For more information, contact
Jim Hodgson
Justice, Global and Ecumenical Relations Unit
The United Church of Canada
Fax: 416-253-1630
Phone: 1-800-268-3781 ext. 4013