Prensa Latina 20-jul-06

CentAm: FTA Violates Right to Live

Guatemala, Jul 20 (Prensa Latina) — The free trade agreement between the US and Central America will have a negative effect on the human right to live, according to a thesis by regional analysts in Guatemala.

"We are in the face of an instrument that directly influences our daily life, and violates the essential functions of States," Dr. Raul Moreno, professor from the University of El Salvador’s Economy Faculty, stated.

"Such a deal infringes food autonomy by allowing subsidized US products to bankrupt home production," he asserted.

The Salvadorian professor travelled to Guatemala to present at the Inter-American Human Rights Court the impacts of the free trade agreement on the civil, economic, social, and cultural rights of the peoples.

Moreno denounced that the accord also compromises the right to health, and leads to privatization of public services by allowing foreign companies to bid under equal conditions.