The RCEP fails the human rights test
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations began in 2012 between 16 countries: India China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and the 10 ASEAN countries, which represented half the world's population.
The RCEP text remained secret until after it was signed, but leaked documents during the negotiations showed that the RCEP could have included corporate rights to sue governments, stronger monopolies on medicines that would delay the availability of cheaper generic medicines, restricted regulation of essential services and allow for more temporary workers vulnerable to exploitation, without any protections for workers’ rights or the environment. We linked with similar campaigns in other countries to oppose these damaging proposals.
Campaign Achievements: India withdraws and some damaging proposals removed
In November 2019, 15 governments claimed they had completed the text of the deal, but strong community campaigns from Indian civil society forced the Indian government to withdraw, which reduced its claimed benefits for Australia and other countries. Some of the most damaging clauses like corporate rights to sue governments and stronger medicine monopolies have been removed. The negotiations were delayed by India's withdrawal and the text was signed and released on November 15, 2020. The RCEP is being reviewed by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties which will report in August before parliament votes on the enabling legislation.
See a short explainer article about the RCEP text here and AFTINET's submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties here