Press Release
19 April 2007  

Campaigners stage first ever simultaneous lobby of all EU embassies in London to call for a stop to unfair trade deals

Trade justice campaigners from development and environment organisations, faith groups, schools and trade unions across the UK gathered in London today to lobby European Union (EU) governments setting a record for the first ever simultaneous lobby of every EU embassy.

The campaigners were protesting against free trade deals, known as Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), that are being negotiated by Europe with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. The Trade Justice Movement, which organised the event, says the deals threaten to destroy the livelihoods of millions of the world’s poorest people.

Similar actions took place in over 30 countries worldwide including Belgium, the Netherlands and South Africa as civil society, farmers and workers rallied against the potential impact of free trade agreements on people’s jobs, food security and the environment.  

Glen Tarman, coordinator of the Trade Justice Movement, who spoke at the opening rally, said:  “Today’s event showed how widespread the concern is about the EU’s unfair trade proposals. In the UK and around the world people have come together to demand trade justice and a fair chance for poor countries to get out of poverty.

“The UK and all other governments in the EU must listen to their concerns and realise that it is not acceptable to push free trade deals onto poor countries. These countries need the time and space to determine what polices are best for them to promote sustainable development and reduce poverty.”  

Over 800 campaigners gathered outside the German embassy in Belgrave Square to listen to speeches delivered from an open-top bus, then cheered as a delegation made its way into the embassy to deliver the message: “Europe: Don’t lock Africa into poverty”.

Germany is a key target for campaigners because it is the current holder of the EU Presidency and could use its influence to make sure the unfair trade deals do not go ahead and that future agreements between Europe and developing countries help tackle global poverty and environmental destruction.  
 
After speeches delivered by trade unionists, activists and NGO leaders from the UK and Africa campaigners moved off in groups to visit all EU embassies, the UK Department of Trade and Industry and the London office of the European Commission.  


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For further information or to request photos of the event: visit www.tjm.org.uk or call Amy Barry from Oxfam on 07980 664397.

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