The following report is a joint submission coordinated by Right Respect:
U.S. foreign policy relationships and assistance to Colombia, Haiti and Puerto Rico have
resulted in human rights violations in those countries. For 10 years, Plan Colombia, a
U.S. aid program to the Colombian government, has been in effect. Until 2007, 80 % of
the $6.7 billion has been spent on the military. This has resulted in massive loss of life,
internal displacement, a food crisis and economic instability, particularly in indigenous
and communities of Afro-descendents. We oppose the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade
Agreement and urge U.S. legislators to cease further military and fumigations operations
and refuse to certify Colombia as being in compliance with human rights standards. In
Haiti, U.S. economic policies have created a captive labor force which has contributed to
overpopulation and a cycle of poverty, leaving Haitians vulnerable to damage from the
recent earthquake. U.S. aid policies, while benefiting U.S. corporations, have reduced
Haiti’s autonomy and ability to provide basic services that would have reduced
vulnerability from the earthquake. The U.S. recently undermined Haiti’s democracy by
providing political and financial support to unlawful parliamentary elections and
illegally excluding several political parties, including Haiti’s largest party. We urge the
United States to adopt a human rights-based foreign policy in Haiti. Puerto Rico
continues to be a colony of the United States. The U.S. maintains authority over Puerto
Rico’s defense, international relations, external trade and monetary matters. The
presence of the FBI and its repression of the independence movement, lack of
accountability for assassination of a pro-independence leader, and assaults on the
nation’s journalists are current manifestations of the colonial relationship. The presence
of the U.S. military has resulted in dire environmental destruction, and the lack of local
control over the environment has caused devastating adverse effects on the health of the
Puerto Rican people, as well as to the land, water, air, flora and fauna. Political
prisoners from Puerto Rico, including two who have served 29 and 30 years behind bars,
remain incarcerated for their participation in the struggle for independence.
For the full report, click Foreign_Policy_Joint_Report_USA-1