Should a U.S. free trade agreement with Colombia have human rights strings attached?
A free trade agreement would give enormous benefits to Colombia. This would be the best time, and the best way, to achieve systematic reform of human rights. You’re returning to Colombia in a few hours. Do you fear for your life? Sadly, everyone who works to promote human rights in Colombia fears for their life. Then why do it? Someone has to. I can’t close my eyes and pretend nothing is happening. It’s an ethical imperative for me, and for Colombia as a nation. Your parents must be very worried. When I was detained in jail for 15 months, it was a terrible time for them. But they’re proud that I’m putting into action the principles they taught me as a child. Gabriel Gonzalez at the Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C. (Oct.
