Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2015
397. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views that all aspects of the free trade agreement, with regard to the requirement within the agreement of human rights being monitored, is being adhered to in Colombia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19385/15]
View answerRespect for human rights is an essential element of the EU Free Trade Agreement with Colombia and Peru which contains, in addition, important provisions in the area of labour rights and protection of the environment. The EU-Colombia Human Rights Dialogue is the key mechanism for engagement on human rights issues with Colombia. Through this mechanism, which addresses the subject directly with the Colombian authorities at official level, the Union engages in a structured manner across the full range of human rights issues, including as regards human rights defenders and trade unionists, land restitution, environmental and economic crimes, and the slow pace in the decrease of impunity. I believe that this policy of engagement, dialogue and scrutiny, which is ongoing, regular and structured, is the best way to promote human rights in Colombia.
As regards the related areas of labour rights and the protection of the environment, the provisions of the Free Trade Agreement are a major innovation. In particular, the Agreement establishes a mechanism for oversight and monitoring of the implementation of labour laws involving the active participation by civil society actors, and establishes an obligation of transparency and public accountability regarding initiatives that could have consequences for labour and/or the environment. This process is overseen by a Trade Committee which will review the implementation of all aspects of the Agreement, including labour, environmental, and trade issues. The second annual meeting of the Trade Committee under the EU Colombia Peru Free Trade Agreement will take place in Bogotá next month. Ireland will be represented at that meeting by our Embassy at Mexico City, which is accredited also to Colombia. At the meeting, our representatives will have an opportunity to examine the implementation of the Agreement in detail, and hear the views also of Colombia civil society organisations.
Ireland will continue to engage with the Colombian government on human rights issues both directly, during visits by the Embassy when they meet with Colombian officials, international agencies and civil society organisations engaged in human rights promotion, and through the relevant EU and international mechanisms.
