His finding regarding the proposed Atlantic treaties condemned them by saying: "Trade deals prepared and negotiated in secret, excluding key stakeholders such as labour unions, consumer associations, health professionals and environmental experts and now parliaments, have zero democratic legitimacy." This describes all of U.S. President Barack Obama's proposed treaties on trade: TPP, TTIP, and TISA, and it also includes CETA, which is the proposed treaty between the EU and Canada.
He further damningly noted that, "Disfranchising the public from participating in this important debate is undemocratic and manifests a profound disregard to peoples' voice."
The U.N.'s press release, on June 24th, from its Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), especially notes:
An earlier consultation conducted by the European Commission in 2014 resulted in 97% of respondents from across Europe expressing opposition to the inclusion of asymmetrical investment protection in Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with the USA. "The same would apply to CETA, but no consultation was ever held," he noted."Asymmetrical investment protection" refers to the power that these proposed treaties grant to international corporations to sue (for alleged loss of their profits) nations that increase regulations to protect the safety of the public from toxic products, and from environmental harms, and that protect workers' rights and other human rights that can also, in some circumstances, reduce corporate profits. "Asymmetrical" refers to the absence in the proposed treaty of any symmetrical power granted to a government to sue an international corporation that violates its laws to protect the public.
De Zayas goes further than merely charging that these treaties are "asymmetrical": he adds that, "In case of conflict between trade agreements and human rights treaties, it is the latter that prevail. States must not enter into agreements that delay, circumvent, hinder or make impossible the fulfillment of human rights treaty obligations."
In a statement to the Council of Europe, on April 19th, de Zayas had said: "Two ontologies seem to have been lost in the ideologically-driven corporate narrative. Firstly, the ontology of the State, its raison d'รชtre to legislate in the public interest, including preventative measures to avert potential harm to the population. Secondly, the ontology of business, which is to take calculated risks for profit." He meant there that these proposed treaties, which would enable the latter to override the former โ enable international investors to override national sovereignty of democratic nations, and which would impose their own system of 'arbitration' that isn't required to adhere to any nation's laws and constitution โ violate international law.
The U.N. OHCHR's June 24th press release concludes by saying:
"Trade agreements should be ratified only after human rights, health and environmental impact assessments have been conducted, which has not been the case with regard to CETA and TTIP," Mr. de Zayas said.
"Ratification of CETA and TTIP would start a 'race to the bottom' in human rights terms, and would seriously compromise the regulatory space of states. This is contrary to the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter, and would constitute a serious obstacle to achieving a democratic and equitable international order," the UN Independent Expert concluded.
The statements by the U.N.'s Independent Expert on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order are damning against these proposed treaties. As the U.N.'s appointed independent legal counsel regarding these treaties, he is saying that, regardless of whether they will become law in any particular country, they are in clear violation of international law.
โโโโโ
Investigative historian Eric Zuesse is the author, most recently, of They're Not Even Close: The Democratic vs. Republican Economic Records, 1910-2010, and of CHRIST'S VENTRILOQUISTS: The Event that Created Christianity.
Signing these trade agreements and possibly even supporting them violate the oath to uphold the constitution when our elected were placed in there roles-in such that these trade agreements circumvent all national laws for corporate tribunals which are judged outside of all nations' jurisdictions. These agreements were designed to enslave, loot, and give absolute power to corporations - a coup d'etat by global fascists. Forcing a race to the bottom. It is apparent that this whole globalist BS rhetoric and absolving of national borders must come to an end. Close our bases. Return the country to a place where tariffs and national protection of resources, agriculture, etc are emphasized and trade is something that a nation has zero national product. Trade extra goods not needed. We need to take pride in our nations.
My ancestors came here legally and had to learn english as well as learn some US history and ways. They did these things and by doing so they proved they were willing and able to integrate into American society and ideals. People want a free pass to citizenship. I don't think a single nation on earth accepts US citizens for citizenship to their nations regardless of whether you can integrate or not. There requirements? Show them your 8-7+ digit bank account and they might approve your stay.
These things are not about xenophobia and racism - which is apparently a perspective people toss around and use against what they see as politically incorrect. Well the PC crowd is absolutely NOT PC. We need to have a sense of identity, culture, customs, language - and our differences here on planet Earth are what make this such a beautiful place. Globalism is destroying those differences and is a genocide in itself. And guess what this mixing of cultures NEVER works because it is human to be close to people similar to yourself. NOTHING wrong with that. I personally prefer to experience multiple cultures but its okay that some do not care - they want to live their lives, raise kids and get on with it. The more we push these obtuse and PC fantastical dreams of a one race, one religion, one culture, et al is the moment this world will lose what makes it worth living.
So go on with your pipe dreams that go against all human nature and instinct just because you incorrectly judge others to make yourselves feel better about yourself - its alright but it is those that do dream such fantastical BS that are destroying humankind for a world of a people that are all being betrayed and coerced into something they do not want.