International Trade committee  Well, from my point of view, I have to say that for us, the defenders of human rights, and for us, the trade unionists, in the context of democratic security we have not felt safe. After the DAS scandal, we feel completely insecure. We've received threats, and children have also

International Trade committee  I'm appearing as the daughter of a trade unionist who was murdered in Colombia and as a member of an organization for human rights, the José Alvear human rights association. We represent victims of human rights violations. We have produced reports and we have taken our cases to t

International Trade committee  In terms of the DAS scandal, in fact it has been proved how the security agents used the protection program, the trade unionists and human rights defenders program, to gather intelligence against them and to provide information on all the movements of these people. In other words

International Trade committee  At this time, most of the crimes against these communities are perpetrated by the paramilitaries that work in the municipalities throughout the country, because they have actually expressed their dislike, their rejection of these people to be able to exercise their own feelings,

International Trade committee  Of course. I can actually provide you with reports. We as a human rights organization have represented these victims. We don't only represent trade unionists and human rights defenders, but we have also represented these communities, so we have been able to prove their persecut

International Trade committee  The free trade agreement with the United States has not been adopted as of today, precisely because of the violations of human rights still taking place in Colombia. Although it is claimed that huge progress has been made in the free trade agreement with the European Union, a num

International Trade committee  [Technical difficulty--Editor]

International Trade committee  We're talking about international organizations. We're talking about the human rights commissioner. We're talking about the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Just a month ago, they published a report where they expressed their concern because threats are ongoing, harassm

International Trade committee  You're absolutely right, the Canadian government cannot influence the drug traffickers in my country. But you can influence the Colombian government, which is violating human rights as stated in the United Nations report. The human rights commissioner mentioned violations by the

International Trade committee  Well, to be honest with you, I'm not aware of those polls you were talking about, but I am aware that the three union federations are against the free trade agreement, that indigenous communities are against the FTA, that peasants and agricultural workers are against the FTA, tha

International Trade committee  Thank you. You are very kind. Good afternoon, everyone. I am very grateful to have this opportunity to address you all. In Colombia, the human rights crisis is ongoing and improvements are a long way off. Fundamental rights and freedoms are increasingly restricted in the cont

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I understand what you say, and I understand that you may not wish to stop trade between the two countries. This trade has always existed and will most probably continue to exist, but is trade more valuable than human lives? At which point can we say this is the case? Because we'r

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  When I first heard that there was a possibility that Canada would sign a trade agreement with Colombia, my reaction, of course, was one of deep pain. I have always felt this deep admiration for Canada. I know Canada as a peacemaking country, as a country that is known throughou

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Yes, I respect Canada, and I'm sure the Canadian government is respected by many, because it is known for respecting human rights. However, if Canada ratifies this agreement with Colombia, it will be backing the regime of human rights violators. I would like to invite you all t

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I can tell you that's a false sense of security, because security has not actually improved in Colombia, and the figures on crimes can't actually be an evidence of this. Even though you say that in Medellin people are walking on the streets, there are many fears, probably as much