CCFTA: Turning A Blind Eye On Human Rights + Action Alert

http://www.sierraclub.ca/en/trade-environment/

CCFTA: Turning a blind eye on human rights
 Author: Stanko S. Krstic
Source: EMBASSY
Date published: Wed, 2010-03-24
http://www.embassymag.ca/page/view/krstic-03-24-2010

What appeared to be a postponed deal resurfaced on the agenda of the
Canadian government last week when Trade Minister Peter Van Loan re-
introduced the Canada-Colombia free trade agreement into Parliament.

Mr. Van Loan stressed the "opportunity for [Canada] to open markets
to the high quality products produced by Canadian workers and
businesses" and called for opposition support for what is now known
as Bill C-2...

the International Human Rights Graduate Students´ Association at the
Human Rights Research and Education Centre of the University of
Ottawa is expressing its concern to members of Parliament and the
federal government over several issues surrounding the implementation
of the deal in Canada.

Just days before Mr. Van Loan´s announcement, the UN special
rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders noted the
"persistent insecurity faced by several categories of defenders;
their stigmatization by public officials and non-State actors; their
illegal surveillance by State intelligence services; their arbitrary
arrest and detention, and their judicial harassment; and raids of non-
governmental organizations´ (NGOs) premises and theft of
information." 

FOR FURTHER BACKGROUND ON THE CCFTA SEE:  CCFTA Prorogued. Be ready
for action when Parliament resumes: http://www.sierraclub.ca/en/trade-
and-environment/publications/ccfta-prorogued-be-ready-action-when-
parliament-resumes

ACTION ALERT: Liberals must stop fast-track of Canada-Colombia free
trade agreement (Bill C-2)

The Harper government has reintroduced implementation legislation for
the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement in Bill C-2. As the number
suggests, it is the second bill the government will handle after the
budget, with second reading debate on the free trade agreement
starting as early as this Friday. There is every reason to believe
Harper will try to fast-track it through the House of Commons. Take
action - send a letter today »
http://www.canadians.org/action/2010/CCFTA-0203.html