Mr. Speaker, today the Prime Minister is hosting Andres Pastrana, the president of Colombia, while in that country massive atrocities continue as its population is subjected to horrific human rights violations, disappearances and murder.
If one is a labour leader or an activist, one's life is in peril. If one does not agree with the establishment, one may disappear. Even if one happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, one is at risk.
The federal NDP stands in solidarity with the people of Colombia, and we say to the Prime Minister and the Canadian government “Stop the killing”. Tell Pastrana that the 2,700 trade unionists who have been killed since 1987 is unconscionable and justice must be done.
The Canadian Council of Churches Tribunal and Amnesty International have massive evidence of the brutality and murders. Today the Canadian government, in meetings with the Colombian president, must make it clear that under international law the Government of Colombia must be held accountable.