Free trade improves human rights
A free trade agreement with Colombia remains stalled in Congress over human rights concerns, but commentator Susan Aaronson says expanding trade may be the best way to help Colombia make progress on rights.
Susan Aaronson, Associate Research Professor of International Affairs at George Washington University (George Washington University)
More on International, Commentaries, South - Central America
TEXT OF COMMENTARY
Kai Ryssdal: The president's in South Korea today for talks, then he's off to Beijing for the Olympics Friday.
Congress has left Washington as well. Lawmakers have recessed for their summer break and a little campaigning too, but they left some key policy problems behind. Energy's one of them. Trade's another. The Colombia Free Trade Agreement that we heard so much about earlier this year has stalled and commentator Susan Aaronson says that's a shame.
Susan Aaronson: U.S. policymakers have used trade agreements for over a century to achieve two very different goals: to expand trade and advance human rights abroad. The Bush Administration claims that a new free trade agreement with Colombia will help that troubled country improve the rule of law, but many human rights activists disagree. As a result, the agreement is unlikely to pass Congress this year.
Many labor and human rights activists argue that Congress should postpone consideration of the pact until Colombia's human rights performance improves. They don't want to reward countries that don't consistently respect the rule of law. These critics have a point: Colombia's human rights performance is lacking. Labor leaders are often murdered, workers' rights are inadequately protected and in some regions terrorists act with impunity. The rule of law might be improving, but it's still inadequate.
Critics need to rethink how we can help Colombia continue its positive momentum. The agreement has provisions to bolster both the supply and demand for good governance. Here's how: First, the free trade agreement encourages public participation in trade policymaking. Citizens in both countries gain the right to challenge trade rules. Second, the agreement gives Colombian workers the right to petition the U.S. government to take action. If the Colombian government is found to have violated labor provisions, it may lose trade benefits. In this regard, the agreement is both a carrot and a stick.
Finally, empirical studies link expanded trade with improvements in particular human rights such as freedom from arbitrary imprisonment and extrajudicial killing. Thus, the agreement could help advance the very human rights that need reinforcement in Colombia.
It's important to encourage democracies such as Colombia to maintain human rights progress and the best way to do that is to provide them with real incentives. The free trade agreement does that.
Ryssdal: Susan Aaronson is professor of International Affairs at The George Washington University. Her most recent book is called "Trade Imbalance."
Comments
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From South Gate, CA, 08/08/2008
The idea that the U.S. Colombia Trade Agreement would somehow reward Colombia is a reversal of reality.
The trade agreement is an instrument to enable wealthy investors and multinational corporations to take precedence over Colombia's farmers, workers, and communities. Consequently, opposition to the trade agreement is widespread within Colombia. On April 19, 2007, more than 150 Colombian organizations sent a letter to U.S. Congressional leaders. That letter urged Congress to reject the trade agreement. The signers included Colombia's trade union federations, ethnic minorities, farmers' associations, and other organizations.
From Lawrence, MA, 08/06/2008
Please, if you are going to talk about Human Rights, work on your pronunciation of "Human". It is not yuman (well unless you have spent time in New York). It is a little like nails on the chalkboard.
Thanks
John C. Briggs
From Washington, DC, 08/05/2008
I disagree about the opinion piece regarding the trade agreement. The leader of Columbia is headed in a better direction and have had years of negative influence with the rebels that really have been a big problem and we need to stand up for him and his country. I am so grateful for their saving our kidnapped citizens, which was a brave move on Uribe's part. I think the trade agreement would support the correct direction that they are going. Also with Venezuela's very negative leader we need to support Columbia to be on their side of the Chavez influence and his playing his constant negative tune...Trade can benefit and shows that we are grateful for Columbia's good relations with us. South America diserves our more positive side and this would express that.
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