Over 800 trade justice campaigners from development organisations, faith groups, schools and trade unions across the UK gathered in London last week to lobby European embassies, the UK Government, and the European Commission, setting a record for the first ever simultaneous embassy lobby in the country.
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 countries. The Trade Justice Movement, whose members include Tearfund, Oxfam, Traidcraft and Christian Aid, and who organised yesterday's event, say 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 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.
"European Union officials, and the UK Government must listen to their concerns and realise that it's not acceptable to push free trade deals onto poor countries. They need the time and space to determine what polices are best for them to promote development and reduce poverty."
The campaigners gathered near the German embassy in Belgrave Square, to listen to speeches delivered from an open-top bus, then watched as a small delegation made its way into the embassy to deliver the message: "Europe: Don't lock Africa into poverty".
Germany was a key target as the current holder of the EU Presidency, and the campaigners are hoping it will use its influence to make sure the new trade deals due to be completed this year "promote rather than undermine development".
After speeches delivered by trade unionists, activists and NGO leaders from the UK and Africa, campaigners moved off in groups to visit other EU embassies, the Department of Trade and Industry and the London office of the European Commission.
Tom Baker from Tearfund's Campaign Team said "It was a fantastic day. To be able to take our message simultaneously to every EU embassy in London means the governments across the continent will have heard clearly that we need to ensure trade deals don't lock Africa into poverty."
