- The foreseen new cooperation treaties between Equatorial Guinea and ex-colonial power Spain are causing protests among the Spanish political opposition, trade unions and non-governmental organisations.
Spain's left-wing opposition joined trade unions and organisations in a protest letter to Foreign Minister Ana Palacio, where they demand the Ministry to reconsider the foreseen signature of new cooperation treaties with the dictatorial government of Spain's ex-colony Equatorial Guinea.
The new cooperation treaties are to create enhanced possibilities for Spanish companies to invest in the booming economy - driven by offshore oil production - of Equatorial Guinea. So far, Spain has been restrictive in supporting investments in the Central African country due to Equatorial Guinea's poor human rights record.
Due to the deterioration of the human rights situation in Equatorial Guinea during the last years, a large number of Spanish opposition politicians and non-governmental organisations have states their "disappointment" with the Madrid Foreign Office.
Concretely, the signers of the protest letter are referring to their grave concerns over the many Equatoguinean opposition politicians still detained in the country, which are termed "political prisoners" by Amnesty International. Last year - shortly before the elections - most opposition leaders were charged with planning a coup d'état and conspiring against the presidency. In a tribunal named "a parody" by international observers, the leaders were convicted to years of prison sentences.
- We are considering the signature of the treaties between Spain and Equatorial Guinea, foreseen in a few days, only would serve to politically support the government of President [Teodoro] Obiang Nguema, the letter says.
It adds that President Nguema's "orientation during recent times goes to a contrary direction as the promises made to favour the human rights situation." The signatories agree with the exiled Equatoguinean opposition that the regime has not implemented any of the promised reforms regarding human rights.
The protest letter to Ms Palacio is signed by Spain's major opposition party, socialist PSOE, and other parties, including the United Left (IU) and The Greens. Further, the country's two major trade unions have signed the letter, together with nine organisations, most of which are working for peace, refugees and development.
In the foreseen treaties, Spain is to remit Equatorial Guinea's debts. At the same time, Spanish companies are to get the same advantages as French companies when investing in the country. Presently, US and French investment, especially in the lucrative oil sector, by far outnumber investment from the former colonial power.
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