Colombia: EU External Trade

Mr. Chope
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to oppose a free trade agreement between the EU and Colombia unless human rights in Colombia are judged to meet international standards.

Chris Bryant
Yes, the UK is leading efforts within the EU to ensure that any agreement with Colombia is linked to a human rights clause. This clause will enable us to suspend the agreement if it is breached, and will act as a catalyst for frank dialogue with Colombia on the issue.