Letter to Barack Obama, President of the United States - Columbia Free Trade Agreement
Letter
Dear Mr. President,
We write to express our deep concern for the rights of Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) should not be considered as drafted. We believe that the United States and the Colombian Government should take immediate steps to strengthen Afro-Colombians' territorial rights and prevent further displacement of Afro-Colombians.
We are concerned that the FTA would stimulate business development in Colombia at the expense of these vulnerable populations. Colombia has the world's largest population of displaced people, and estimated 5.2 million, and 26 percent of Colombia's population is Afro-Colombian. These populations already experience disproportionate inequality in the labor sector and face major obstacles to unionization. For example, Afro Colombian workers are often forced into "Associative Labor Cooperatives" (CTAs), a labor model where workers are hired through sub-contractors, which substantially undermines workers protections and results in preventing workers from unionizing. Today, economic interests, including large scale mono-culture crop plantations and mining, continue to be a cause of displacement in Afro-Colombian areas. The FTA and the April 7th, 2011 Action Plan do not adequately address these issues. Without adequate protections, the number of displaced persons will continue to increase and economic opportunity will continue to be beyond the reach of these populations.
We appreciate the Administration's efforts to grow the economics of the United States and Colombia but we must do so in a way that benefits the citizens of both countries. We must not tolerate economic inequality or persistent violence against Afro Colombians and indigenous people.
As you know, Members of Congress have consistently denounced the systematic paramilitary persecution and assassinations of Afro-Colombian, indigenous and labor rights activists in Colombia. We are concerned that our voices on this subject are not being heard and our concerns are not being adequately addressed. Full implementation of the Colombian Action Plan Related to Labor Rights, and the reform of the CTA model, are critical to any serious discussion of free trade with Colombia. We insist that the Ministry of Labor and Justice's protection programs, which the Action Plan seeks to broaden, include protection for Afro-Colombian labor activists who face political persecution.
We appreciate your attention and consideration to these matters and look forward to working with you in ensuring that labor and minorities rights in Colombia and protected if entering into a Free Trade Agreement between this country and the U.S.
Sincerely,
Hank Johnson
Member of Congress
John Conyers
Member of Congress
Gwen Moore
Member of Congress
Bobby Rush
Member of Congress
Barbara Lee
Member of Congress
Donald Payne
Member of Congress
Raul Grijalva
Member of Congress
Michael Michaud
Member of Congress
Keith Ellison
Member of Congress
Maurice Hinchey
Member of Congress
Jesse Jackson, Jr.
Member of Congress
Sheila Jackson-Lee
Member of Congress
Lynn Woolsey
Member of Congress
James McGovern
Member of Congress
Bob Filner
Member of Congress
Dennis Kucinich
Member of Congress
Maxine Waters
Member of Congress
Jan Schakowsky
Member of Congress
Marcy Kaptur
Member of Congress
Bennie Thompson
Member of Congress
Chellie Pingree
Member of Congress
Emanuel Cleaver
Member of Congress
Elanor Holmes Norton
Member of Congress
Danny Davis
Member of Congress
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