MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO COLOMBIA AND HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES

Early day motion 333, tabled 18 December 2003 by Tony Lloyd (Labour). Signed by 237 members.

That this House notes with concern that Colombia is the most dangerous country in the world in which to be a trade unionist with 184 people killed in 2002 for their trade union activities, more than the rest of the world combined; further notes that the overwhelming majority of abuses against trade unionists are carried out by paramilitary organisations which have documented links to the Colombian state security forces; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to freeze all military and security assistance to Colombia until the bonds between the state and paramilitary forces are severed, in accordance with the policies of Colombia, UK and international human rights organisations and trade unions, such as the TUC-backed Justice for Colombia coalition and development charity War on Want.

Signatures by party: Labour 161, Liberal Democrat 49, Labour/Co-operative 12, Scottish National Party 5, Plaid Cymru 4, Conservative 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Independent 1, UUP 1.