African NGOs Oppose Human Rights Clause in EPAs http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=54955

GENEVA - Part of the delay in the finalisation of the economic partnership agreements (EPAs) is due to the so-called non-execution clause that gives the EU the power to take steps against its African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) trading partners if they violate human rights, democracy and good governance principles

[While presenting EPAs as “instruments for development”, the EU is pushing for agreements with far-reaching and comprehensive economic liberalisation terms. The EU proposals for EPAs would not only eliminate most tariffs on goods, but would also impose the inclusion of issues that goes beyond WTO commitments. Such EPAs will open up ACP markets to devastating competition from EU exports. This will lead to increased social inequality and poverty through the destruction of local, industries, and small-scale agriculture, damaging employment and livelihoods. The terms set within the EPAs will sharply reduce the necessary democratic policy space for ACP countries to regulate and to design their own national and regional integration policies to meet their development goals and needs. EPAs will lead to increased social inequality and poverty.