Once an agreement is signed, human rights often take a back seat to the economy. Some countries which do not uphold human rights—we will not name any—have signed agreements within the framework of the WTO. These agreements include the respect of human rights and World Trade Organization standards, and much more. But often these measures are not really respected. Economic interests usually take precedence. If business is going well, why stop? I will not name the countries in question; you know which ones I have in mind. These are major economic partners who, at one point or another, violated human rights. And yet we continue to trade with them because it is in our economic interest to do so.
On April 16th, 2008. See this statement in context.