FIDH demands compliance with human rights benchmarks prior to any vote on the ratification of the EU-COLOMBIA/PERU Free Trade Agreement
Publisher | International Federation for Human Rights |
Publication Date | 16 May 2012 |
Cite as | International Federation for Human Rights, FIDH demands compliance with human rights benchmarks prior to any vote on the ratification of the EU-COLOMBIA/PERU Free Trade Agreement, 16 May 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4fbb8e67c.html [accessed 7 June 2023] |
Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Last Update 16 May 2012
Yesterday, FIDH asked the European Parliament to require compliance with benchmarks for respect of human rights before any vote on the ratification of the Free Trade Agreement EU-Colombia/Peru.
Indeed, FIDH denounced the responsibility of the State in the impunity of those responsible for crimes against humanity that are still perpetrated in Colombia and on extrajudicial executions committed recently. Also the recent increase of the attacks against human rights defenders was underlined.
The most important political groups received and reacted to this proposal (including Richard Howitt MEP (S&D coordinator in the Sub-Committee on Human Rights), Isabelle Durant MEP (Greens/EFA) Laima Liucija Andrikiené MEP (EEP), Helmut SCHOLZ MEP (GUE)).
Also Mr. Rodrigo Rivera, the Colombian Ambassador to the EU and Luis Guillermo Pérez Casas (Vice-President of the FIDH and human rights defender from the Colectivo de Abogados José Alvear Restrepo – CCAJAR – in Colombia), spoke on their different visions of the evolution of human rights in Colombia.
FIDH presented a report entitled: "Colombia: the European Parliament can contribute to end the commission of international crimes and to respect the work of human rights defenders and trade unionists" that details some suggestions for benchmarks.