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human rights

Vietnam’s systematic attack on civil society breaches the free trade agreement with the EU, new complaint argues
5-Feb-2025 FIDH
Hanoi’s ongoing crackdown on human rights defenders working on sustainable development violates the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement.
Over 250 Parliamentarians from 17 EU countries urge the suspension of the EU Association Agreement with Israel
28-Jan-2025 European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine
Over 250 Parliamentarians from 17 EU countries called for the suspension of the EU Association Agreement with Israel citing Israel’s breaches of the art 2, so called ’human rights’ clause of the treaty.
An urgent call from European trade unions: Suspend the Association Agreement with Israel
22-Jan-2025 ETUN Palestine
European trade union organisations and confederations called on the European Commission to fulfill its obligations and review the Israeli Government’s compliance with article two of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
IEU CEPA: A threat to the environment, indigenous peoples, and biodiversity
21-Jan-2025 Indonesia for Global Justice
Indonesia for Global Justice (IGJ) and WALHI (Friends of the Earth Indonesia) released a joint statement raises critical concerns about the proposed Indonesia-EU CEPA. It highlights the potential negative impacts of the agreement, particularly when coupled with Indonesia’s Omnibus Law, on the environment, Indigenous communities, and biodiversity.
How predatory energy developers harassed Hondurans
13-Dec-2024 Foreign Policy in Focus
Honduras’s coup-era government opened the floodgates for predatory energy projects. Now that Hondurans are fighting back, the companies are trying to take them to arbitration.
A tsunami of trade agreements: Reflections on 20 years of resistance
12-Nov-2024 bilaterals.org
As trade justice activists, we must be at the forefront of collective organising and mobilising for a new trade system that addresses pressing global challenges.
Labour unions express concerns about proposed free trade agreement with Ecuador
20-Oct-2024 United Steelworkers
We are writing on behalf of Canadian unions that are deeply concerned about the current negotiations for a free trade agreement with Ecuador.
Ireland ’will not wait’ for EU to unilaterally suspend trade with Israel: PM Harris
18-Oct-2024 Euronews
Ireland is among EU member states that have been calling for the EU and Israel to hold an Association Council over human right concerns in Gaza.
Spain urges fellow EU members to suspend free trade agreement with Israeli regime
15-Oct-2024 Press TV
Spain has called on fellow members of the European Union to suspend a free trade deal between the EU and Israel, amid the regime’s ongoing aggression in the Gaza Strip.
Indigenous women from Ecuador bring concerns on mining abuses, free trade to Parliament Hill
4-Oct-2024 CBC
Delegation to meet with federal leaders in Ottawa amid talks on proposed free trade deal.
Criticism of the mandate for a new free trade agreement with China is being voiced
28-Aug-2024 blue News
The Swiss National Council committee welcomes the Federal Council’s approach to the negotiating mandate for a new free trade agreement with China. Binding regulations on the protection of human rights should not be part of the negotiations
RSF and 59 other organisations call on EU to suspend Association Agreement with Israel
26-Aug-2024 Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and 59 other organisations are calling on the European Union to suspend its Association Agreement with Israel in response to the unprecedented number of journalists killed.
Israel responded to the EU’s request to convene an Association Council. But not only on human rights
24-Jun-2024 EU News
Israel “is willing to consider” the invitation and “wants to negotiate the agenda,” a senior EU official confirms. But the distance between the parties on the agenda persists.
EU invites Israel to discuss bilateral relations amid Gaza offensives
6-Jun-2024 Yeni Safak
The EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell announced on Wednesday that he has formally invited the Israeli foreign minister to an ad hoc EU-Israel Association Council meeting.
An international law framework for climate-aligned investment governance
3-Jun-2024 CCSI
International Investment and Trade Law should be reformed for climate-aligned investment governance.
Limited appetite among member states for EU trade sanctions on Israel
31-May-2024 Euractiv
Amid growing calls for economic sanctions against Israel in view of the worsening humanitarian toll of its military operations in Gaza, EU trade ministers briefly discussed the issue but remained far from deciding on actual steps.
EU convenes Israel to discuss respect of human rights and ICJ ruling on Rafah
28-May-2024 Euronews
European Union foreign ministers agreed to call for an Association Council with Israel to discuss the country’s compliance with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel trade deal, also known as the Association Agreement.
Human rights organizations sound alarm as Canada-Ecuador trade talks get underway
1-May-2024 Mining Watch
Surging violence surrounding Canadian mining projects in Ecuador should raise red flags for the Canadian government as it commences trade talks with the Ecuadorian government.
Belgium will lead re-evaluation of EU-Israel trade accord
22-Apr-2024 The National
Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister Petra De Sutter says her country will lead a "re-evaluation" of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which forms the basis of trade between the bloc and Israel.
UN expert demands EU suspend trade deal with Israel over Gaza genocide
12-Apr-2024 Common Dreams
"Europe is the main trading partner—which accounts I think for 30% of Israel’s trade—so it has a huge power and it should use that power," said UN expert Francesca Albanese.