Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Seán Crowe TD, today met Gilberto Luis Martinez, a member of the Executive Committee of the National Central Unit of Colombian Workers (CUT).
Gilberto was in Ireland to speak about on going human rights abuses in Colombia, and specifically the violent targeting of trade union leaders by the Government, and to encourage TDs to vote against the EU-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) when it comes before the Dáil for ratification.
Deputy Seán Crowe said:
“Today my Sinn Féin colleague Peadar Toibín organised a cross party meeting with Gilberto Luis Martinez in Leinster House, that was facilitated and supported by Justice for Colombia and Christian Aid.
“Gilberto gave a harrowing and detailed analysis of the dire human rights situation in Colombia and it remains the most dangerous country in the world to be an active trade unionist. In the past 2 years 42 trade union or human rights activists have been murdered because of their advocacy work.
“Gilberto made it crystal clear to us that the European Union’s Free Trade Agreement with Colombia will not any way improve the human rights situation in the country.
“Colombia is the 3rd most unequal country in Latin America and the 7th most unequal country in the world. Gilberto also made clear that this particular trade agreement will not improve the lives of the vast majority of Colombians, but will only serve to benefit a small minority, the rich elite.
“On behalf of his trade union members he asked for solidarity from Irish parliamentarians and appealed to us to collectively to vote against this Agreement.
“Sinn Féin has already voted against this FTA when it came before the European Parliament and we propose do so again when it comes before the Irish Dáil.
“We need to stand with the oppressed people in Colombia, in favour human rights and equality, and to vote against this unacceptable agreement. At the very minimum I believe Irish parliamentarians should delay a vote on this issue until the European Union completes a full human rights and economic impact assessment of the Financial Trade Agreement with Colombia”
Meeting Gilberto Martinez with Justice For Colombia (JFC)
ENDS
