US-Guatemala FTA Unconstitutional

Guatemala, Apr 5 2006 (Prensa Latina) The free trade treaty between US and Guatemala is unconstitutional and violates everything from the principle of equality of enterprises to working rights, declared Guatemalan attorney Ramon Cadenas Wednesday.

Cadenas is one of the deponents of the FTT suit presented February 24 before a Constitutional Court by more than 30 social and trade union organizations.

The FTT also infringes on Central American integration, since it establishes the agreements signed by Central American countries with other nations must be outside the framework of that treaty.

The trade agreement will also affect public health rights, production of food and generic medications, which are much less expensive, and will cause a decline in the achievements of the working class.

A report on the FTT was presented before the Human Rights Attorneys Office by the social organizations, which decided to bring the topic before regional and international institutions.