Documents relating to the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA)
When it became obvious that the United States goal of a hemispheric trade agreement (FTAA) was going to be a difficult proposition, the U.S. began a ‘dual track’ strategy of working on the FTAA, but at the same time negotiating bilateral and regional agreements in venues which were amenable. It is in this framework that the DR-CAFTA was ‘negotiated.’ The Administration knew that DR-CAFTA would be a difficult fight, and for that reason they waited for over a year after it had been signed to bring it to a vote in Congress. It was finally ratified by the United States Congress in July of 2005, in the face of tremendous resistance, in the middle of the night, only after the Bush Administration twisted arms and made countless threats to finally win the vote. The implementing process has been more problematic than many had expected. The first country to ratify and implement CAFTA was, as one might expect, El Salvador. Even there, the ratification process required serious manipulation of parliamentary process, and a middle of the night vote, which led to an eventual implementation of the agreement. It went into effect on March 1, 2006, in spite of numerous constitutional challenges which continue in process. As of November 1, 2006 it had only been implemented by 4 of the 6 signing countries. Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic have yet to ratify the agreement in their Congresses.
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CAFTA Analysis:
Government Advised to Assess the Impact of CAFTA-DR on the Enjoyment of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Geneva, 26 November 2007 --Worried about the impact of CAFTA-DR on human rights? So are the guardians of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
During the recent appearance of Costa Rica before the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Committee members raised concerns about the effects of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) on various economic, social and cultural rights in Costa Rica, including the rights to health, social security, food and water.
Les compartimos el Boletín Actualidad-Políticas Públicas, en esta ocasión abordamos la falta de alternativa de vivienda por parte del gobierno ante la problemática de los habitantes de la línea férrea tras la reactivación del ferrocarril.
Les compartimos el Boletín Políticas Públicas HOY No. 31, titulado "Migraciones, exclusión y DESC, en el que abordamos el fenómeno migratorio desde las causas de exclusión y pobreza, que entrañan evidentes violaciones de los DESC de la población salvadoreña, y en especial de las personas emigrantes.
Les compartimos el tercer número del boletín Observatorio de los Derechos de la Niñez, correspondiente al trimestre julio-septiembre 2007. En este documento se incluye el resultado del monitoreo periodístico a los principales hechos nacionales relacionados con la situación de la niñez salvadoreña.
Les compartimos la última actualización a septiembre 2007 del Prontuario Socio-Económico, el cual integra una canasta de indicadores sociales, económicos y demográficos, que consideramos podría ser de vuestra utilidad.
Les compartimos el Boletín Actualidad-Políticas Públicas, en esta ocasión abordamos la reciente decisión de la dirección de la PNC de involucrar a empresas de seguridad privada en labores de seguridad pública.
Les compartimos el Boletín Actualidad-Políticas Públicas, en esta ocasión reflexionamos sobre el incremento en los salarios minimos anunciado por el presidente Saca, que sería efectivo a partir de noviembre de 2007.
Just over half way through the stipulated time period before certification of the referendum on CAFTA will take place, a meticulous counting of every vote is happening in front of TV cameras, accompanied by a detailed accounting process. For the uninitiated, this provides the illusion of squeaky transparency; how could there be voter fraud here?
However, the fraud was committed long before the voting even started - and so far, there is no institution or mechanism willing to name that.
Last week the Stop-CAFTA Coalition released the report on two years of CAFTA impact at a news conference in Costa Rica, where a referendum will be held on October 7th to decide if CAFTA will be implemented there.
RED REGIONAL DE MONITOREO DE LOS IMPACTOS DEL TLC ENTRE CENTROAMÉRICA REPÚBLICA DOMINICANA Y ESTADOS UNIDOS
Informe Preliminar de Monitoreo del TLC un año de entrada en vigencia
SÍNTESIS REGRaul-cafta-revised2.doc
This document explores the treatment of debt in DR-CAFTA, the potential implications of public debt given the: A. imminent reduction of tax income resulting from the gradual tariff reduction B. the reduction of permanent ongoing income which is currently generated by State-owned public service enterprises, which will be lost when they are privatized and C. new loans which are being contracted within the framework of DR-CAFTA.
Report by ART and Central American Networks
Study sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee - Central America (May 2003)
This study by Raul Moreno discusses CAFTA's political context, legal implications, objectives, principles, and impacts. It concludes with strategies for building an alternative Central America and highlights the role civil society plays in this process.