Colombia

Letters of protest sent shortly after Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper defends the progress Colombia made and promotes Canada-Colombia trade agreement.

A survey across 143 countries find Colombia and the Americas the deadliest region.

"The Colombian authorities must take every action necessary to end this constant violence against the trade union movement, as well as the impunity surrounding these crimes," said ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow.

"By all accounts, your father was an amazing man. That his vision and inspiration continues on to this day is a testament to him. There is no telling how much more he would have accomplished had his life not been taken from him." - James Clancy, NUPGE national president

CAJAR lawyers, journalists, administrative staff and paralegals targeted with death threats and intimidation.

'Send a message to Colombian authorities without delay.' - Warren (Smokey) Thomas.

'Together, with your support, we can create a country where no other Colombian child loses a parent to violence because they work for a better world.'

Of 101 murdered, 48 were killed in Colombia, 16 in Guatemala, 12 in Honduras, six in Mexico, six in Bangladesh, four in Brazil, three in the Dominican Republic, three in the Philippines, one in India, one in Iraq and one in Nigeria.

NUPGE president James Clancy writes Colombian President Alvaro Uribe to demand direct intervention against murderous paramilitaries.

'Join us in demanding that the federal government impose restrictions on companies doing business in Colombia to require that human rights are respected.'

It went unnoticed in the salacious cloud surrounding the Jafferlena scandal, but the Harperites again showed their enduring contempt for parliamentary procedure by suddenly forcing a vote on the Canada-Colombia Free Trade deal last week.

Late night Liberal-Conservative deal concocted to try to force the Canada-Colombia free trade agreement through parliament is an insult to Canadian and Colombian civil society.

There has been 195 teachers assassinated in Colombia, without a single arrest being made, and at least 35 trade unionists have been killed this year alone.

Opponents urged to lobby Liberal MPs amid growing concerns that the Official Opposition is poised to join the Harper Conservatives in supporting the deal. Sign Petition, Send Letters!

Canada can, and should, reject proposed Harper free trade deal with bloody Colombian regime.

Join the online letter campaign now. Thousands of e-mails and phone calls are having an impact. Liberal MPs are the key. Let's keep up the pressure.

The International Trade Union Confederation has condemned the murders in April and May of five Colombian trade union activists.  The National Union reminds Canadians to email Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff to oppose the proposed Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement.

Canadians are encouraged to email Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff, as well as MPs Hon. Bob Rae, Hon. Maria Minna, Hon. Scott Brison, John Cannis, Mario Silva and Pablo Rodriguez. Use our on-line form to send them a letter.

'Since 1991, more than 2,245 trade union leaders and activists have been assassinated in Colombia.' - James Clancy

National labour federations and major unions say deal will be 'catastropic for a country like Colombia.'

Thirty-nine trade union leaders were killed in 2007, and 41 in 2008, an average of one per week.

'Since 1991, more than 2,245 trade union leaders and activists have been assassinated in Colombia.'

Follows six weeks of strikes and Indigenous mobilizations across Colombia against regime’s hard-line policies.

Maria Fernanda Bolaños visits Daryl Walker and BCGEU trade unionists

'It will only exacerbate an already horrifying list of human and labour rights abuses.'

Labour leaders undertaking week-long tour of South American country

Outrageous idea will be issue when Canadian Parliament reconvenes this fall, NDP says

Representing more than a million Canadian workers

Money for murder 'cooperation fund' included in the proposed agreement

Join a rally, organize a vigil, or write an MP

'Outrageous that Harper Conservatives would consider signing a free trade deal with such a country.' - James Clancy

How can Canada denounce human rights abuses in China while turning a blind eye to the mass political murder of trade unionists in Colombia?

Canada is ignoring the plight of the people of Colombia by negotiating a free trade agreement with the Uribe government.