The AFL-CIO outlined its strong opposition to the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement in a letter sent to members of Congress yesterday. The letter noted that Colombia is the most dangerous country in the world for trade unionists, citing the murder of 2,262 union officers and rank-and-file members since 1991.
The Colombian government has done little to investigate these murders and prosecute the perpetrators, according to the AFL-CIO letter. Information released in 2007 by the Colombian government reveals that there have been, at best, only 30 convictions in all of the recorded trade union murder cases ever filed. Of the 236 trade unionists murdered from 2004-2006, there has been only one conviction. The numbers are not surprising, noted the letter, given the close relationship between the government and the paramilitaries, those most responsible for the killings.
“We fail to understand why President Bush did not publicly raise the issue of violence against trade unionists and impunity for the perpetrators of this violence during his recent trip to Colombia,” said John Sweeney, president of the AFL-CIO. “Instead, President Bush threw his full support behind President Uribe and the Colombian government.” This same government is mired in a political scandal that has led to the arrest or resignation of numerous members of congress and administration officials within President Uribe’s inner circle.
The Colombian government’s open hostility toward trade unions helps to explain why illegal armed groups and even state security forces continue to target trade unionists and why so few people are prosecuted, asserts the AFL-CIO. “Jorge Sanchez, Vice Minister of Labor, recently told the Associated Press that trade unionists ‘thrive on violence and blood,’ insinuating that trade unionists somehow enjoy being the victims of systematic murder,” said Thea Lee, the AFL-CIO’s Policy Director. “His remark underscores his government’s complete disregard for the lives of its workers, not to mention their integrity and humanity.”
The AFL-CIO has concluded that no trade agreement with Colombia should be considered until the country meets an established set of human rights benchmarks. These benchmarks would include: completely severing all ties with paramilitary organizations and international criminal networks, making significant advances in the investigation and prosecution of crimes against trade unionists and providing meaningful and adequate protection for unions and trade unionists. The government must also bring its labor laws into conformity with ILO core labor standards and provide full support for the newly created ILO office in Colombia to monitor labor rights compliance and pursue the investigation of key cases of assassinations of trade unionists. Until these benchmarks are met, the AFL-CIO says the U.S. should not consider any trade pact with Colombia.
Contact: Esmeralda Aguilar (202) 637-5018
