Posted on: July 17, 2008 @ 07:30
Colombia Frontlines Leadership tour to support human rights and examine privatization
I will be participating in the Colombia Frontlines Leadership tour from July 17-25, 2008, along with the National Presidents of Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the past President of the British Colombia General Employees Union (BCGEU).
One purpose of the tour is to support Unions and other organizations that are fighting for Human Rights in Colombia. Colombia has the highest rate of violence against trade unionists in the world. The National Labor School, a Colombian labour rights group, has recorded over 2,500 killings of trade unionists in Colombia since 1986. Canada has just signed a free trade agreement with Colombia, which allows the Colombian government to pay a fine each time a trade unionist is assassinated!
Another goal is to examine privatization in Colombia. Water and sanitation services are facing the threat of privatization. In 2006 the Colombian Government eliminated public postal services.
CUPW’s vision of International Solidarity is a people-centered globalization that values the rights of workers, supports women’s rights, works for a healthy planet and supports strong public services. I imagine a world that that welcomes Aboriginal people and is free from racism, sexism, homophobia, discrimination against differently-abled people. I see international solidarity as key to achieving this.
In Solidarity,
Denis Lemelin
