Colombian unionists 'gunned down in broad daylight': US representative

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Colombia Reports

Colombian unionists 'gunned down in broad daylight': US representative
Thursday, 14 July 2011 13:50
Travis Mannon

One of the most vocal members of the U.S. Congress opposing the pending Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has spoken out again against the violence in Colombia.

Representative George Miller, the senior Democrat of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, argued that it is the job of the elected leaders in the United States to ensure "that those who receive trade preferences respect essential democratic rights." He expressed concern about the high levels of violence against unionists.

"Death squads are unleashed against union activists and union rights leaders and defenders. Union leaders are gunned down in broad daylight."

Miller added, "This isn't yesterday's news, the intimidation and violence continue to this day. There have been 47 confirmed killings of unionists in Colombia this year. Last year 90 unionists were murdered worldwide, 49 of them in Colombia. Colombian unionists face the highest rates of murder anywhere in the world."

Read more: http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/17646-colombian-unionists-gunned-down-in-broad-daylight-us-representative.html

[Brickbat]

1. Oh, there's been some kind of memo of understanding or study or committe to ensure that this will

all be done once the FTA is final. Nothing a strongly worded letter wouldn't tidy up, I'm sure.

[fascisthunter]

2. Tell that to the GOP, because if they had their way, they'd execute union leaders

"that those who receive trade preferences respect essential democratic rights."

[JDPriestly]

3. Moody's threatens to lower its ratings on the US and raise its

ratings on Colombia. Colombia has a conservative president and, of course, is now quite "business friendly." Great place to invest if you are a fascist, I suppose.

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110531-713503.html

Credit to a DUer in the Stock Market watch thread this morning for the link to the WSJ article.

[JackRiddler]

4. k&r for giving us the Latin American reality...

not the daily rubbish from the Chavez-hating club.

Here is the real tyranny in the neighborhood. Absolute horror.