Colombia: The Most Dangerous Place In The World To Carry A Union Card

by Sarah Amnesty - Amnesty International Fri Oct 02, 2009 21:29

This event has been moved to upstairs in Kelly's Bar Bridge St Galway at 7.30pm on Tuesday. Apologies for any inconvenience

by Sarah Amnesty - Amnesty International Mon Oct 05, 2009 18:36

Due to a tragic death over the weekend we have had to change venues once more-

This talk will now take place Tomorrow Tue 6th Oct in Arus Na Geal, Dominic St, Galway at 7.30 pm

This is right beside the Galway Arts Centre. Apologies once more for any confusion.

by Sceptic Wed Oct 07, 2009 20:28

It is also worth noting that the free organizing of trade unions activities attracts severe penalties including death and years of hard labour in China (except Taiwan and Hong Kong), North Korea, Cuba, Burma and many other places. These penalties are often applied collectively. Perhaps Amnesty, ICTU and these worthy speakers could also give attention to these countries as far as unions are concerned.

by not so sceptical... - N/A Wed Oct 07, 2009 21:42

Sceptic - best not to pick on these grassroots guys who are organising a solidarity event- sure there are problems in other places but surely some action is better than none? Personally with all that 's going on here on the jobs front etc I think it's good to see unions still getting involved in solidarity with others. I think as well,a look at the Amnesty website would tell you that they do in fact often focus on China and Burma at least...

by Topper Wed Oct 07, 2009 22:15

If you're concerned about the right to organise trade unions in China, Burma, North Korea, then by all means go ahead and organise some kind of event that people can support. I'm sure people would be glad to help out workers organising in those countries in whatever way they can. There's a very good reason for prioritising Colombia - it is by far the most dangerous country to be a trade unionist, in any given year the majority of trade unionists murdered around the world are killed in Colombia. If Amnesty, ICTU etc. have to choose a single country to prioritise trade union solidarity work, it should certainly be Colombia.

Hang on a minute, it's just occured to me - Colombia is an ally of the US, whereas the countries you mentioned aren't. I'm sure that's not why you're having a go at people trying to organise solidarity with trade unionists who are constantly at risk of being murdered. After all, that would be pretty sick, wouldn't it?