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human rights


Mercosur files
Despite the ongoing devastation, and with the Amazon likely at an irreversible environmental tipping point, the European Union continues to push for a free trade agreement with Mercosur which would increase the pressure on the region.
China pushes for resurrection of EU investment deal
China has stepped up lobbying of European Union decision-makers to revive a planned investment deal in its latest effort to improve ties with the Brussels-based bloc, but big hurdles remain to put the accord back on track.
There are many ways to rebuild Brazil: EU-Mercosur trade deal is not one of them
It is time to fundamentally change trade relations to put the environment, climate and human rights at the centre and dismantle the legacy of neo-colonial economics.
How do UK trade agreements measure up on human rights?
There is an urgent need for coherence. The UK should set out clearly in a trade strategy how its trade policy will support human rights, labour rights and the climate, including how each trade agreement will meet the four tests laid out here.
NGO Forum: Risks and opportunities for climate change, food security in Africa in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area
At the NGO Forum ahead of the 73rd session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), stakeholders discuss the potential impacts of the implementation of the AfCFTA, on the climate, food security, and the human rights.
What Lula’s victory in Brazil should mean for the EU-Mercosur trade deal
After Bolsonaro, the European Commission, as well as some governments and industries in Europe will see an opportunity to push through the EU-Mercosur trade deal. But the agreement would be the exact opposite of what the Amazon needs.
UK firms using legal muscle to facilitate human rights and climate abuses – report
Transform Trade charity says British-based companies are among main bringers of cases based on bilateral investment treaties.
Six reasons NOT to ratify the EU-Mexico Global Agreement
Statement of the Mexican, European and international civil society, 4 July 2022
Britain launches free trade talks with Gulf countries
Britain will launch talks over a new free trade deal with six Gulf states including Saudi Arabia and charities warned it not to ignore human rights in its latest bid to grow non-EU ties after Brexit.
EU proposes raising tariffs on countries blocking return of rejected asylum seekers
Under a new proposal from the European Commission, non-EU nations who refuse to make arrangements to take back undocumented migrants with a failed asylum claim may have their import tariffs increased.
China dismisses Swiss reports of stalled free trade talks
China’s commerce ministry has denied talks with Switzerland to update a free trade agreement between both countries are "frozen".
China-Swiss trade talks stall over rights issues – newspapers
Efforts by Switzerland to refresh its free trade agreement with China have stalled as Bern takes a more critical view of Beijing’s human rights record.
Overselling EU trade deals: new study uncovers failures of sustainability impact assessments
The European Commission uses flawed and tardy sustainability impact assessments as a fig leaf for environmentally, socially and economically damaging EU trade agreements, according to a new study.
Key human rights tests for UK free trade agreements
Without adequate rules and the right business incentives to protect workers and communities, trade deals can contribute to a ‘race to the bottom’.
UK trade deal with Israel sends a clear message: Apartheid is rewarded
Without conditionality on human rights or a mechanism for accountability, how can an enhanced trading relationship be understood by Israel as anything other than support for its violations and war crimes?
Dangerous man, dangerous deals
Why the EU should not strengthen relations with Bolsonaro.
The EU narrative around trade with Vietnam
The EU managed to avoid mass protest by creating an ethical narrative around its trade negotiations with authoritarian Vietnam.
US removes Ethiopia, Mali and Guinea from AGOA trade programme
US removes Ethiopia, Mali and Guinea from duty-free trade programme over alleged rights violations and recent coups.
UK trade talks risk ‘lending legitimacy’ to Brazil’s far-right regime, TUC claims
British ministers should not pursue a trade deal with the major economy while Jair Bolsonaro is in charge, trade union boss, Frances O’Grady, said.
The EU’s path to trade sustainability
As public support for EU free trade deals is waning, civil society groups are hoping to help tighten the bloc’s standards on trade sustainability as part of an ongoing consultation.