It was a very great honour to meet Yessika Hoyos Morales of the Corporacion Colectivo de Abogados for lunch today. Yessika is a deeply inspiring character and has given me the energy to pressure the government into taking a tougher line with Colombia, particularly within EU negotiations on a possible free trade agreement with the country.
I shall be asking questions of the Foreign Office about the extra-judicial killings of dozens of trades unionists in Colombia, many of which are linked to the Colombian army.
My friend and namesake Tom Watson, MP met with Yessika Morales to discuss anti-trade union violence in Colombia - something that the Obama Administration should paying more attention to. As Tom tweeted: "Yessika Hoyos Morales risked her life to see me today. Help protect her by sharing her name with your networks." Done! And I'd ask you to do the same.
As Tom points out, the Colombian army stands accused of a “crime against humanity” due to the “systematic and widespread” nature of the murders. You can read more about Ms. Morales's courageous campaign here.
