§ Jeremy CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning the treatment of trade unions in Colombia; and what representations he has made on the matter to the government of Colombia. [123423]
§ Mr. RammellThe embassy in Bogota has contacts with trades union representatives in Colombia and receives representations directly and on their behalf from NGOs working in Colombia. I stressed to the Colombian authorities, most recently during my visit to Bogota, the need to provide adequate protection to union activists in order that they may go about their union business safely. In my speech of 25 June at the 557W Amnesty International UK Trade Union Network Reception I explained that I had called on the Colombian government to make clear their support for the work of all sections of civil society, including trades unions, stressing that civil society is part of the solution to Colombia's problems.