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human rights

“Trade for Peace with Israel” falls short
29-Mar-2007 TCF
The next time your Wal-Mart sweatpants read “Made in Jordan QIZ” on the label, consider the relationship between economic integration and peace. The truth might not be what you expect.
Labour sacrifices free speech for trade deal
27-Mar-2007
Last night’s exclusion of an accredited journalist from a Beehive photo opportunity with the Michael Cullen and the Deputy Premier of China Zeng Peiyan, because Chinese officials thought the journalist was a “problem”, shows that the Government is so desperate for a trade deal with China that it will sacrifice free speech in New Zealand to get it, says the Green Party.
India-EU deal hits political rocks
14-Mar-2007
A planned free trade deal between the EU and India has run into serious difficulties over whether or not it should include clauses relating to human rights and weapons of mass destruction. But anti-poverty campaigners have also argued that an agreement is undesirable as it could potentially reduce India’s control over its own economy.
Rights obstacle to EU-India trade pact
4-Mar-2007 FT
Indian objections to the inclusion of a standard “human rights and democracy” clause in a proposed free trade agreement with the European Union have emerged as a serious stumbling block, the Financial Times has learnt.
Gambia Social Forum condemns EU-EPA negotiations
1-Mar-2007 The Point
The executive members of the Gambia Social Forum have condemned the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) that is being negotiated between the European Union and ECOWAS member states. They say that these proposed free trade agreements would exacerbate the current agricultural crisis that farmers already face, increase poverty, and violate human rights.
Fast approval of text rapped
22-Feb-2007 Bangkok Post
The National Human Rights Commission and FTA Watch yesterday rebuked the Thai government for endorsing the text of the Japan-Thailand free trade agreement without revising the 940-page deal thoroughly. FTA Watch said it would consult with others opposing the agreement to stage a major rally against the interim government if it rushed into signing the deal.
US/Colombia free trade agreement seems ever more distant
19-Feb-2007 MercoPress
The free trade agreement which the George Bush administration signed with Colombia is stalled in the US Congress and could face further delays because of the alleged links of the Colombian President Alvaro Uribe administration with para military forces.
Colombian "para-political" scandal may hurt trade
17-Feb-2007 Reuters
A scandal over suspected Colombian government links to illegal right-wing militias could hamper President Alvaro Uribe’s bid to clinch a free-trade deal with the United States.
US, Emirates seen getting closer to free trade pact
15-Feb-2007 Business Times
Major sticking points still obstruct a deal, including Washington’s insistence on improvement of labourers’ rights and the country’s overall human rights record.
UAE/US free trade discussions limp on
12-Feb-2007 Arabian Business
Stop-start free trade talks between the UAE and the United States are making progress, according to the UAE Ministry of Finance and Industry. The Ministry did not comment on reports that the UAE’s record on human rights and the banning of labour unions are obstacles.
Malaysia Attorney-General defends generic medicines before UN rights body
6-Feb-2007 3D
Malaysia’s Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani has publicly stated his country’s stand "that generic drugs should not be restricted in any manner". Implying that a US-Malaysia FTA could result in more expensive drugs, he said that Malaysia is not going to negotiate on this issue, and added “we are providing the drugs for free.”
UAE weights price of trade pact with US
4-Feb-2007 ANTARA
The United Arab Emirates is mulling whether to make political concessions to the United States in a free trade pact that has eluded both countries for nearly two years.
Time to get serious about Israel
1-Feb-2007 The Guardian
The UK House of Commons international development committee is calling on the Labour government to press for sanctions against Israel over its treatment of the Palestinian people. As a first step in putting pressure on the Israeli government to end this oppression, the UK should now urge its fellow members in the EU to consider suspending the EU-Israel association agreement, the cross-party committee says.
PM urged to guarantee transparency
30-Jan-2007 Bangkok Post
Thailand’s National Human Rights Commission and intellectual property law experts have called on Prime Minister Gen Surayud Chulanont to draft a trade negotiation bill to guarantee transparency in trade talks.
Thai Human Rights Commission criticises FTA with US
27-Jan-2007
In what is believed to be the first ever human rights impact assessment of a US FTA conducted at national level, the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand in a draft report concludes that the FTA that Thailand has been negotiating with the United States will violate the human rights of Thai people and affect the country’s sovereignty.
Rights Commission urges end to FTA protest ban
6-Dec-2006 Chosun Ilbo
Korea’s National Human Rights Commission recommended Tuesday that the police lift a ban on a protests against a free trade agreement between Korea and the US.
Members of European Parliament challenge EU-Israel relationship
29-Nov-2006 Al Jazeerah
MEPs will call on Ministers to examine whether Israel’s actions have breached the human rights requirements of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
European lawmakers call for international force to stop killings in Gaza
12-Nov-2006 IRNA
Members of the European Parliament which recently returned from a fact-finding mission to Israel and Palestine insisted that the EU should review its association agreement with Israel.
Europe should study Syria incentives - lawmakers
28-Oct-2006 Reuters
The European Parliament has reaffirmed that Syria must respect democratic values and human rights before the Council of 25 EU member states could approve the EU-Syria Association Agreement that has been on ice for two years.
Opposition opens up Central American trade deal
26-Oct-2006 Embassy Magazine
In an effort to ensure that the protection of labour and human rights are built into a free trade agreement being negotiated with four Central American countries, the Standing Committee on International Trade passed a resolution last week calling for the disclosure of all agreement draft texts and Canadian negotiating proposals.