Colombian unionists 'gunned down in broad daylight': US representative

[Judi Lynn]

Colombian unionists 'gunned down in broad daylight': US representative
Thursday, 14 July 2011 13:50
Travis Mannon

One of the most vocal members of the U.S. Congress opposing the pending Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has spoken out again against the violence in Colombia.

Representative George Miller, the senior Democrat of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, argued that it is the job of the elected leaders in the United States to ensure "that those who receive trade preferences respect essential democratic rights." He expressed concern about the high levels of violence against unionists.

"Death squads are unleashed against union activists and union rights leaders and defenders. Union leaders are gunned down in broad daylight."

Miller added, "This isn't yesterday's news, the intimidation and violence continue to this day. There have been 47 confirmed killings of unionists in Colombia this year. Last year 90 unionists were murdered worldwide, 49 of them in Colombia. Colombian unionists face the highest rates of murder anywhere in the world."

More:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/17646-colombian-unionists-gunned-down-in-broad-daylight-us-representative.html