human rights


EU proposes raising tariffs on countries blocking return of rejected asylum seekers
Under a new proposal from the European Commission, non-EU nations who refuse to make arrangements to take back undocumented migrants with a failed asylum claim may have their import tariffs increased.
China dismisses Swiss reports of stalled free trade talks
China's commerce ministry has denied talks with Switzerland to update a free trade agreement between both countries are "frozen".
China-Swiss trade talks stall over rights issues – newspapers
Efforts by Switzerland to refresh its free trade agreement with China have stalled as Bern takes a more critical view of Beijing’s human rights record.
Overselling EU trade deals: new study uncovers failures of sustainability impact assessments
The European Commission uses flawed and tardy sustainability impact assessments as a fig leaf for environmentally, socially and economically damaging EU trade agreements, according to a new study.
Key human rights tests for UK free trade agreements
Without adequate rules and the right business incentives to protect workers and communities, trade deals can contribute to a ‘race to the bottom’.
UK trade deal with Israel sends a clear message: Apartheid is rewarded
Without conditionality on human rights or a mechanism for accountability, how can an enhanced trading relationship be understood by Israel as anything other than support for its violations and war crimes?
Dangerous man, dangerous deals
Why the EU should not strengthen relations with Bolsonaro.
The EU narrative around trade with Vietnam
The EU managed to avoid mass protest by creating an ethical narrative around its trade negotiations with authoritarian Vietnam.
US removes Ethiopia, Mali and Guinea from AGOA trade programme
US removes Ethiopia, Mali and Guinea from duty-free trade programme over alleged rights violations and recent coups.
UK trade talks risk ‘lending legitimacy’ to Brazil’s far-right regime, TUC claims
British ministers should not pursue a trade deal with the major economy while Jair Bolsonaro is in charge, trade union boss, Frances O’Grady, said.