International Trade committee  Over the two terms of Mr. Uribe's time as president in Colombia he has made numerous public accusations against human rights defenders in particular, but also journalists and trade unionists, as being terrorists, or as being militants of terrorist organizations, or covering up for terrorists.

International Trade committee  My sense is that if they were truly concerned about our free trade agreement and the opinions of Canadians and the Canadian government, we may have actually seen less of these illegal and violent activities during an electoral campaign than what we saw. In fact, from what we heard from hundreds, even thousands, of people on the ground, these illegal activities have not diminished.

International Trade committee  I was surprised. I would like to say, first of all, that I have never been treated with such disrespect. I am astonished that my credibility has been put into question by Mr. Brison in such a way. My position is based on a belief in human rights, a very passionate belief in the need for respect and promotion of human rights, and by my almost 30 years of experience working in this field.

International Trade committee  I don't have full information on what that amendment includes, but I understand that the Colombian government would be responsible for presenting reports on the human rights impacts of this trade deal in their country.

International Trade committee  May I respond to that? You just made some fairly.... May I respond, please?

International Trade committee  You made some pretty significant accusations.

International Trade committee  Thank you. I am the executive director of CoDevelopment Canada, an international development NGO based in Vancouver that works with communities and organizations in Latin America from a rights-based approach. I have been in human rights and development work focused on Latin America for more than 25 years.

International Trade committee  Yes, I can hear you. Thank you.