75 Colombia

Submitted by University and College Union

Congress is outraged by the increasing numbers of trade unionists being assassinated in Colombia. In addition to the killings our education colleagues are regularly jailed without trial, threatened, physically attacked or forced to flee their homes and jobs. Colombia remains the most dangerous country in the world for trade unionists.

Congress believes that the administration of President Uribe is complicit in the violence and is appalled by the lack of any effort by the regime to put an end to the attacks and safeguard the lives of Colombian trade unionists.

Congress notes that the Colombian trade union movement is clearly opposed to both military aid and the proposed EU-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Congress is pleased that the US, Canada and Norway have refused to sign FTAs due to human rights concerns and notes that the US has frozen millions of dollars is military aid to Colombia.

Congress is therefore appalled by the current FTA negotiations between Colombia and the European Union and by the ongoing provision of British military aid to Colombia. Rewarding Colombia with trade agreements and military assistance when there has been no improvement in human rights does nothing to improve the situation.

Congress calls on the General Council to:

i) campaign vigorously to prevent the European Union from signing an FTA with Colombia

ii) oppose strongly ongoing UK military aid to Colombia

iii) call on our Government to speak out about the plight of Colombian political prisoners

iv) support the work of Justice for Colombia.