Canadian trade deal with Colombia ignores union murders

Also see from the Hill Times: Colombia Deal Done Before Human Rights Study Complete

From the nupge.ca website:

"Canadian trade deal with Colombia ignores union murders

Money for murder 'cooperation fund' included in the proposed agreement

Ottawa (10 June 2008) - Despite a growing number of organizations and individuals raising concerns about negotiating a free trade agreement with Colombia, the Harper government has gone ahead and tentatively signed a deal with the country's murderous regime.

Foreign Affairs Minister David Emerson says in a statement on his department's website that the "agreement will expand Canada-Colombia trade and investment and will help solidify ongoing efforts by the government of Colombia to create a more prosperous, equitable and secure democracy."

The signing took place despite condemnation by many prominent Canadians and organizations of the continued killing of activists in Colombia, and repeated appeals to the prime minister to halt free trade negotiations with the brutal government that runs the South American country.

One of the most controversial aspects of the negotiations is a provision that would allow the Colombian government to pay a token monetary amount into a cooperation fund when a Colombian trade unionist is murdered." (read more....)