Colombia Lobby Work
Lobby work
Justice For Colombia has focused most of its lobby work on the issue of trade agreements between the European Union and Colombia. JFC and Irish Congress of Trade Unions do not believe that an upgrading of the trade relationship between EU and Colombia is the right answer to the serious situation in the country.
On the contrary the Colombian Government would know that human rights were not a priority, as they were never sanctioned for their constant violations under the present trade agreement.
It is a question of showing Colombia and the world that crimes against human rights are not to be rewarded. In October 2009 JFC and Congress contacted all 12 Irish Members of the European Parliament and asked them to co-sign a letter to the EU Commissioner taking position against a Free Trade Agreement with Colombia. Ireland is the first, and still the only, country where all MEPs have supported the trade union movement's position on this issue.
The Irish Senate passed Senator Joe O'Toole's motion, on the 3rd of February 2010, giving full support to Congress' and the MEPs position on the Free Trade Agreement. A lot of lobby work was the background to these successful results.
Read David Begg's letter on Colombia to the new Minister For Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore here:
Read more about the twelve Irish MEPs support to Congress' position on a Free Trade Agreement here:
Read more about David Begg's call on TDs and Senators on the Colombian trade issue.
Read the latest letter to Irish MEPs regarding the proposed EU Free Trade Agreement with Colombia.