Quaker groups unite to oppose TTIP
Quaker groups on both sides of the Atlantic unite to oppose TTIP
Five Quaker organisations from Europe and the United States have asked governments to reject the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).
The American Friends Service Committee, the Friends Committee on National Legislation, the Quaker Council for European Affairs, the Quaker United Nations Office and Quaker Peace & Social Witness have sent a statement to UK prime minister David Cameron, government representatives and trade officials. The statement claimed that TTIP negotiations ‘are prioritising the prospect of short-term economic gain over the longer-term factors necessary to human wellbeing and protection of the earth’.
Friends wrote: ‘We are alarmed that in its current form TTIP threatens to increase further humanity’s negative impact on the natural environment.’
They also highlighted several aspects of TTIP that are of particular concern. Among them is the investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanism (or investment court system), under which foreign companies could sue governments for introducing social, environmental, health or other legislation believed to threaten profitability. Friends feel that these mechanisms ‘hand too much power to large companies’.
They stressed that while TTIP will have a global impact, only the governments of the United States and the European Union have a voice in its negotiation. The statement also highlighted concerns about the lack of transparency around the deal, the negotiations for which remain largely secret.
It is the first time that Quaker organisations from both sides of the Atlantic have spoken out together against such a trade treaty.
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