Peru Free Trade Agreement and CAFTA in Costa Rica

Peru Free Trade Agreement

After about 18 months on the drawing board, Congress is expected to vote on the Peru Free Trade Agreement (Peru FTA) in the first week of October. Negotiated under Fast Track, the Peru FTA is a solidified agreement and does not need to account for proposed provisions by U.S. representatives or the Peruvian Congress. Riding on this executive privilege afforded by Fast Track, the unjust agreement can be passed by a simple majority yes/no vote. (For further information about Fast Track, see Doug Stephens' article in the May 2006 Mustard Seed. )

It has been noted that 1.3 million farmers who have been displaced from their farms in Mexico since NAFTA passed in 1994. Likewise, Peru FTA threatens some estimated 700,000-900,000 farmers who will be unable to compete with U.S. subsidy prices. Furthermore, opening Peru to agri-business and pharmaceutical corporations makes vulnerable indigenous populations whose wisdom of natural health and medicines would be exploited for corporate profits. Likewise, provisions to the agreement, such as those set forth by Speaker Pelosi and Representative Rangel to make available generic medicines to the Peruvian people, lack means of enforcement, limiting foreseeable improvements in public health for people in need of basic life-saving drugs.

Continuing the contentious practices of NAFTA and CAFTA, under Peru FTA corporations would have a right to sue governments if environmental protections could be seen to cause profit reduction. This is a direct assault on any attempt to protect the Andes mountain region and Amazon basin, one of the most bio-diverse regions in the world.

DJPC, along with other human rights and environmental protection agencies, stand in solidarity against the signing of Peru FTA that, in the tradition of CAFTA and NAFTA, threatens the dignity and livelihood of Peruvian trade partners. Please, contact your Representative and Senators and ask them to oppose the unfair Peru Free Trade Agreement.

CAFTA in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is the only country in the U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) that has not yet ratified U.S. demanded legislation to the 2006 agreement, but they are expected to do so on October 7 th . This is a defining moment for Costa Rica , whose citizen majority will determine the future of bi-lateral trade between the U.S. and Central America and serve as an example for the other isthmus countries. Major protests and demonstrations have erupted in Costa Rica as well as consulate offices in the U.S. , manifesting further doubt to the supposed benefits of CAFTA for Costa Ricans.

Nobel Peace Laureate and Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, has used a strategy of misinformation, fear-based propaganda and threats to try and push the ratification through. Claiming that funds for municipalities and their government representatives will only be available for communities whose majority votes “yes” on the ratification is a clear sign of government corruption. Strong-arming by the U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica as well as a media campaign funded by U.S. pharmaceutical corporation (NAME) is furthering pressure on Costa Rican citizens who are being told that Free Trade is the only way to enter the U.S. market. Thousands of people will join together Costa Rica during the last week of September to protest the ratification. This is a major declaration on the part of Costa Rican citizens and allies of the diversity of opinion despite President Arias' commitment to pass the ratification.

Solidarity groups, including DJPC, note that CAFTA, like NAFTA and the proposed Peru FTA, only serves the interests of corporations and limits the economic growth and sustainability of their trade partners outside the US . Further, there have been documented links between so called ‘free trade agreements' and the increase of displaced workers immigrating to the U.S.

Actions Taken Since June 2007

Followed up with Colorado Representatives in regards to H.R. 1707, which called for the suspension of operations at the SOA/WHINSEC in order to investigate the history of human rights abuses and failed policies of the institution. Representatives DeGette and Udall and Salazar voted in favor of the amendment whereas Representatives Perlmutter, Musgrave, Tancredo and Lamborn failed to vote in favor of this crucial legislation. It is important to note that this was the closest vote in history and was defeated by a margin of only six votes.

DJPC, along with other organizations, participated in a nonviolent protest of the University of Denver 's award to Newmont Mining. The coalition members included Colorado American Indian Movement, the Rocky Mountain Peace & Justice Center , Global Response, the Stop Newmont Coalition and the University of Colorado 's Indigenous Support Network. Nearly 100 people came together to hold an alternative award ceremony honoring instead deserving humanitarian leaders for their tireless efforts on behalf of community rights, environmental protection and economic justice. The People's International Bridge Builder's Award recipients are: Father Marco Arana and the courageous people of Cajamarca, Peru; Carrie Dann and the exemplary struggle of the Western Shoshone Defense Project; Nur Hidayati and the unwavering actions of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment; Daniel Owusu-Korantenga and the vision of WACAM, Ghana; and Stephanie Roth and the determination of the people of Rosia Montana, Romania.

DJPC sent a letter protesting the Newmont award to Chancellor Robert Coombe, GSIS Dean Tom Farer, and Madeline Albright.

Responded to an urgent action call demanding justice for José Emanuel “Pepe” Méndez Dardón, 28-year old son of human rights activist, Amílcar Méndez, who was murdered in Guatemala City after submitting an urgent communiqué to the Robert Kennedy Memorial Human Rights Center.

Thanked Senator Salazar and Representatives DeGette, Lamborn, Musgrave, Perlmutter, Salazar, Tancredo and Udall for their help in reforming the redistribution of aid under Plan Colombia.

Thanked Senator Salazar and Representative Udall for supporting House amendment 995 which attempted to cut funding to SOA/WHINSEC. Unfortunately, this amendment failed. However, H.R. 1707 (noted above), which was introduced on March 27, 2007 , continues to bring the attention of the Senate and Congress to the critical issue of SOA/WHINSEC.

Urged Senator Salazar and Representative Udall to sign a Dear Colleague letter on behalf of the recent (July 2007) imprisonment of thirteen Salvadoran citizens, including leaders of the Association for the Development of Rural Communities (CRIPDES) and a journalist covering recent events in El Salvador.