Campaigners from across the UK will visit all 26 European embassies in London today to protest against free trade deals they say will have a devastating impact on millions of the world’s poorest people.
Similar protests will take place in more than 30 countries worldwide as activists, farmers and workers rally against the European Union’s proposed agreements with 76 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.
In the UK, participants will gather under the banner of the Trade Justice Movement, which includes organisations such as CAFOD, Christian Aid, Friends of the Earth, Tearfund, Traidcraft and Oxfam, as well as trade unions, Fairtrade campaigns and faith groups.
The group claims current deals struck by the European Union risk locking poor countries, particularly in Africa, into poverty and says EU leaders are to blame for forcing these contracts on smaller less powerful nations.
Glen Tarman, co-ordinator of the Trade Justice Movement, said: “Trade, under the right conditions, can help make poverty history. Yet these deals threaten to undermine poverty reduction and destroy livelihoods across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. Europe’s proposals would not boost development – in many cases they would make people poorer.
“Europe is demanding that poor countries radically open their markets and make major concessions on new issues such as investment, which have been rejected by developing countries at the World Trade Organisation.
“This would undermine future economic growth and deprive poor countries of the space they need to choose the best solutions to end poverty and protect the environment.”
Campaigners will kick off their protest at the German embassy in Belgrave Square. They insist that as Germany holds the Presidency of the EU it is in a key position of influence to prevent unfair deals.
After an initial meeting with German embassy representatives, campaigners will visit other EU embassies, the UK’s Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the London office of the European Commission.
Mr Tarman added: “The UK Government has voiced its concern in the past about the process and content of these negotiations. Now more than ever, their intervention matters.
“We are calling on Alistair Darling, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, to use his influence in Europe to stop unfair deals going ahead.
“Europe must listen to the concerns of poor countries and work with them to develop trade deals that genuinely work for development.”
The new Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), replacing old trade deals, are due to come into effect at the end of the year.
Agreed between the EU and 75 former European colonies known as the African, Caribbean and Pacific (APC) group they will give former colonies access to European markets while giving European firms duty-free access to 90% of the ACP markets.