23-Oct-2008
Seattle Medium
I have seen first-hand the effects of “free trade” in several countries, and it is not the fairy tale that the mainstream politicians would have us believe. I have seen men, women and children working 20 hours a day in deplorable conditions to keep up with the influx of foreign goods. I have seen farmers who used to trade corn for clothes struggle because they do not have the cash to participate in the new “free” economy.
13-Oct-2008
BusinessWorld
The Philippines and the European Union have agreed to start formal talks in February for a political cooperation agreement (PCA) that will govern political and economic relations and lead to an EU-ASEAN free trade deal. Human rights, intellectual property rights and climate change will be among the areas covered by the agreement.
11-Oct-2008
Business Mirror
The Philippines has expressed serious concerns on the proposed PCA because it requires commitment to sign the Rome Statute. Manila has not ratified the statute owing to concerns of military and police authorities they may face possible harassment suits from rights groups at the ICC.
25-Sep-2008
Seattle Medium
The recent delegation of Colombians to Capitol Hill, some of whom were Afro-Colombian, advocating for the approval of the US-Colombia FTA, does not represent the view of the majority of Afro-Colombians living in urban and rural areas throughout the country.
17-Sep-2008
Office of the Ombudsperson of Costa Rica
The Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the purposes of patent procedure is not in line with the norms and ethical principles of Costa Rica. Civil society, the scientific community and the different congregations should have had a more broad discussion on this Treaty including its ethical, environmental, social, economic and legal implications. Unfortunately, this did not happen and the decision to vote the US-DR-CAFTA, with its obligation for Costa Rica to accede to the Budapest Treaty, at referendum was not taken with a generalized prior informed consent.
12-Aug-2008
Dissident Voice
The US free trade agreement and the state and paramilitary violence in Colombia are part of the same project
12-Aug-2008
Business Mirror
THE Philippines is seeking to settle sticky issues in the proposed partnership cooperation agreement (PCA) with the European Union which include government’s commitments to uphold human rights and rule of law in the country before the Asia Europe Meeting (Asem) Summit in Beijing in October this year.
26-Jun-2008
Via Campesina
We face patterns of violations of our rights, by the crimes committed by TNCs and by Free-Trade Agreements (FTAs). In order to address these patterns of violations, we need specific provisions and mechanisms to fully protect our rights.
13-Jun-2008
Middle East Online
Gulf Cooperation Council says will not accept any political conditions by the European Union to sign a free trade agreement. The EU’s final position is expected in July.