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BackThe European Commission has continued the negotiations on an Association Agreement with Peru and Columbia – in spite of the withdrawal of Bolivia and Ecuador. This contradicts the original intention, to conclude an agreement only with the entire Andean Community and puts the regional integration process at risk. Especially in Columbia the situation of human rights – in particular those concerning fundamental labour and trade union rights – continues to be extremely problematic.
In our view, the conclusion of an agreement would not contribute to improving the situation, but legitimise the current situation of fundamental rights and their systematic disregard by the government. The AK therefore demands the suspension of the negotiations and a comprehensive review of the human rights situation. Should the negotiations nevertheless be continued, we regard it as an absolute minimum standard that the present Sustainability Chapter is subjected to a legally binding dispute settlement mechanism. Apart from that, it is essential that labour law and environmental standards, which form part of already concluded free trade agreements, will not be undermined.
