Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 November 2014
25. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the proposed free trade agreement between the EU and Colombia; his further views on the continuous human rights abuses in Colombia; if he has sought to raise these abuses with his colleagues in the EU Foreign Affairs Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44993/14]
View answerThe EU Free Trade Agreement with Colombia and Peru signed in Brussels on 26 June 2012 aims to promote growth and jobs and to increase the global competitiveness of the European Union, Colombia and Peru. Its economic provisions are intended to encourage trade by eliminating tariffs and obstacles and improving market access generally.
The Agreement’s human rights provisions are essential elements that, together with the sustainable development chapter, provide the EU with an important means to encourage positive social reforms and greater protection of human rights. Ireland strongly promoted the inclusion of the human rights provisions, and these, together with the sustainable development aspects, have been developed further by the elaboration by the Colombian side, at the request of the European Parliament, of ‘roadmaps’ on human, labour and environmental rights.
The serious situation that prevails with regard to many human rights issues in Colombia is a matter of ongoing concern, both to Ireland and to the EU as a whole. The Deputy will be aware of the long-standing conflict that has plagued Colombia and of the terrorism and criminality that have accompanied it. While respect for human rights requires considerable improvement, there are nonetheless grounds for believing that the situation is improving in overall terms.
In relation to Colombia, as elsewhere, Ireland works to support positive developments and promotes the progressive improvement of human rights standards. Our Embassy in Mexico City is accredited to Bogotá on a non-residential basis and the Ambassador and officers visit Colombia regularly. In addition to our bilateral contacts on human rights issues with the government and with civil society, we participate in a range of dialogue mechanisms at EU level and at the UN.
I believe that the policy of engagement, dialogue and scrutiny which the EU has pursued since the launch of the negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement is the best way to promote human rights and the interests of labour in Colombia. At the most recent session of the EU-Colombia Human Rights Dialogue, on 24th October this year, for instance, the EU engaged with the Colombian government across the full range of human rights issues, including as regards human rights defenders and trade unionists that are a particular priority for Ireland.
The EU’s efforts to advance human rights in Colombia are reflected also in its support for the current peace process involving the government and the guerrilla forces. I share the view that this process offers the potential for a major improvement in the overall human rights situation and I hope for a speedy resumption of the talks.
