Study: Colombia anti-union violence undeterred

[Judi Lynn]

Study: Colombia anti-union violence undeterred
By Frank Bajak
Associated Press / October 2, 2011

BOGOTA, Colombia—A new study challenges claims from the administration of President Barack Obama that Colombia is making important strides in bringing to justice killers of labor activists and so deserves U.S. congressional approval of a long-stalled free trade pact.

The Human Rights Watch study found "virtually no progress" in getting convictions for killings that have occurred in the past 4 1/2 years.

It counted just six convictions obtained by a special prosecutions unit from 195 slayings between January 2007 and May 2011, with nearly nine in 10 of the unit's cases from that period in preliminary stages with no suspect formally identified.

Democrats in the U.S. Congress have long resisted bringing the Colombia trade pact to a vote, citing what they said is insufficient success in halting such killings.

More:
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2011/10/02/study_colombia_anti_union_violence_undeterred/

[Peace Patriot]

1. Don't they understand that these murders are necessary prep for

U.S. "free trade for the rich"?

[Bacchus39]

2. Colombia trade pact was signed into law last Friday n/t

s

[cqo_000]

3. Dem berates Obama for 'quiet' signing of trade deals

By Pete Kasperowicz - 10/27/11 09:41 AM ET

Rep. Mike Michaud (D-Maine) on Thursday morning criticized President Obama for quietly signing three free-trade agreements (FTAs) into law last Friday, saying the lack of any public ceremony surrounding the signings is evidence that Obama realizes Americans don't support these deals.

"My colleagues and the American people might have missed it, because that's what the president wanted," Michaud said on the House floor. "The American people don't support more flawed trade agreements, so the President signed them into law quietly.

"The White House issued no press releases, no statements, no photos were taken, no signing pens were publicly handed out," he added.


http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/190143-dem-berates-obama-for-quiet-signing-of-trade-deals

[Judi Lynn]

4. Would never have known about this great Democrat if you hadn't posted the information.

How rare to find politicians willing to honor their consciences.

Thanks for the news.



Rep. Mike Michaud

[EFerrari]

5. He's so right. n/t