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Thai seafood products could be banned, warns MEP
A prominent lawmaker from the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries told EurActiv he would support giving a “red card” to Thailand, meaning banning the import of its fisheries products, if illegal fishing isn’t curbed, and if the practice of using slave labour is not abandoned.
Abuse and exploitation of migrants ignored in exchange for TPPA
The recent Reuters report on Obama’s move to upgrade the human rights status of Malaysia to allow the continuation of the negotiations of the TPPA gives a taste of what is to come, especially for migrants’ rights, if the trade deal will be signed.
TTIP and UN treaty: the EU must stand up for human rights
Adopting an ’empty chair’ policy in Geneva instead of engaging in a productive debate, next to the strong trans-institutional push for the Commission-backed TTIP, paints a grim picture of a Europe that puts corporate interest ahead of human rights and companies before people.
TPPA: Human rights experts identify human rights risks
Prominent human rights voices in Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement countries have sounded the alarm on Human Rights implications of the agreement.
Valle de San Quintín labourers: a reflection of shame and demands for justice
San Quintín is a credible, contemporary sample of the different processes that make up the contemporary system of labour exploitation
UN experts voice concern over adverse impact of free trade and investment agreements on human rights
A group of UN experts have issued the following statement to express concern about the secret nature of drawing up and negotiating many of these free trade and investment agreements, such as TPP and TTIP, and the potential adverse impact of these agreements on human rights.
UN calls for suspension of TTIP talks over fears of human rights abuses
Alfred de Zayas said the UN will publish a report in August to illustrate the flaws in current plans for the TTIP.
Trade first, then talk human rights, with Saudi Arabia — Key
New Zealand’s John Key has defended his upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia, saying a free-trade agreement with the kingdom will allow the two parties to talk about a ‘range of issues’ including human rights abuses.
UN expert says secret trade deals threaten human rights
Secret negotiations on international trade deals threaten human rights, an independent United Nations expert said on Thursday in comments that appeared aimed at agreements the United States is seeking with the European Union and Pacific nations.
EU Commission’s refusal to conduct a human rights impact assessment in the context of trade agreement negotiations constitutes maladministration, says EU Ombudsperson
The EU Ombudsperson has found that the European Commission’s failure to carry out a human rights impact assessment in the negotiations for a trade and investment agreement with Vietnam constitutes "maladministration".
International investment law and the [human right to] land
In many cases, international investment agreements have the purpose and/or effect of hijacking the international human rights system.
WPF motion on TNCs and human rights violations
The World Parliamentary Forum calls on national and regional Parliaments to reject both free trade agreements (FTAs) that benefit corporations and major international investors, as well as abusive bilateral investment treaties (BITs), that some governments have already cancelled.
LGBT members of Congress object to free-trade deal with countries criminalizing LGBT people
Five out LGBT members of Congress objected to the inclusion of two countries with anti-LGBT laws in a free trade deal that the Obama administration is currently negotiating and seeking to fast-track it for adoption.
Trade agreement with Colombia and Peru tests our commitment to human rights
The first significant test of Ireland’s reputation as defender of human rights comes today as the Dáil debates ratification of the EU Free Trade Agreement with Colombia and Peru.
Human rights in investor-State arbitration: The human right to water and beyond
This article analyzes the restrictive approach adopted by investor-State arbitration tribunals to human rights arguments raised by host States, as exemplified in the case of the human right to water
Gambia dropped from US trade program
The Obama administration has announced that Gambia is no longer eligible for trade benefits under AGOA amid growing concerns over the country’s LGBT crackdown and other human rights abuses. South Sudan is also dropped.
International peoples treaty on the control of transnational corporations
The main objective of this initiative is to subordinate the juridical-political architecture that sustains the power of transnational corporations to human rights norms and rules.
Stronger plant variety protection may threaten the right to food
Governments in industrial countries regularly put pressure on developing countries to introduce stringent plant variety protection (PVP) regimes and to adhere to the 1991 Act of the UPOV Convention, without duly considering its consequences on the enjoyment of human rights of vulnerable groups.
End "booming military trade" between EU and Israel, say Palestinian rights groups
The European Union’s key trade and political agreement with the European Union should be suspended in response to the recent attack on Gaza, according to 24 Palestinian campaign groups.
EU must tear up association agreement with Israel
After a visit to the Makassed Islamic Charitable Hospital in East Jerusalem where they met victims of Israel’s latest attack on Gaza, GUE/NGL MEPs are calling for an immediate end to the EU-Israeli association agreement.