What: Global Seminar 2021

When: 21-24 October

Where: Stockholm, Sweden

Overview

The Global Seminar will gather together IUSY member organisations from all over the world to meet and share challenges young people and youth organisations have been facing since the beginning of the pandemic. The two day seminar will be a space for sharing out realities from different thematic perspectives based on the topic of Political Youth Participation. As previous Global Seminars, we will again have a joint session on the second day with the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY).

How to apply

Participants must apply by filling out the registration form that you can find here: https://forms.gle/N9BGdKU4Z22L6LXX9

Deadline for registration is on the 30th of September 12:00 CET. Participants requiring visa may want to register even further in advance to be safe. Keep in mind that there is a limited amount of spots. Thus, thought out answers to the questions are required as part of the selection process.

For more information regarding the activity, travel reimbursement, Visa, travel restrictions and participation fee please click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TBfm-J3yBn8H-DZNl79EaGgtpalW45WH/view?usp=sharing

Contacts

Diana Ghafour

diana.ghafour@iusy.org or iusy@iusy.org /+46 733572777

IUSY expresses its prominent concern for what is happening in the Republic of Guinea, condemns the attempt to cancel the constitution with violence, and asks for the relief of President Condé and the return of constitutional order through dialogue between the civil and political parties.

The IUSY has noted with concern the coup that took place in Guinea Conakry last week. The military seized power from the government and unilaterally arrested President Alpha Condé, without any due process. The military furthermore released opposition party members that were imprisoned by President Conde during his 3 terms as the democratically elected president of Guinea Conakry. IUSY acknowledges the glaring inconsistencies with regard to democracy and the limitations with regard to freedom of political association that existed in the country prior to the coup. IUSY condemns the utilization of armed forces and the violent takeover of the state outside of a democratic process.

IUSY echoes the calls for the restoration of democratic rule, peace, and stability in Guinea Conakry and furthermore advocates for the release of President Conde. The organization pledges its unwavering support and solidarity with the youth of Guinea Conakry.

The IUSY furthermore would like to entrench and lobby for the following forms of interventions from the Army:

1. The convening of a series of social dialogues to unite the people of Guinea.
2. The creation of a transitional government as soon as possible to facilitate democratic and transparent elections.
3. The review of the Guinean constitution before the presidential election, and the implementation of an age limit of 65 years for presidential candidates.

IUSY also calls upon progressive blocs such as ECOWAS and the AU to intervene decisively with regards to the current impasse in Guinea Conakry to avoid bloodshed and chaos.

The IUSY furthermore reaffirms its commitment to democracy and self-determination of African countries, whilst ensuring that a conducive environment that embraces freedom and economic development is attained.

IUSY expresses its concern about the situation lived in Tunisia over the last days after the suspension of the parliament and the dismissal of the government. We are aware that the country has been facing a permanent political crisis since the election of 2019 and that the divisions in the sense of the main constitutional institutions have harmed the economy and the management of the Covid-19 health crisis.

As democratic socialists, we are conscious of what the revolution meant and how it is important to achieve a democratic transition and establish the Rule of Law. We acknowledge Tunisians’ frustrations, and we support peaceful popular movements that emerged from the huge oppression and marginalization suffered by Tunisian citizens. Furthermore, it is our understanding that the parliamentary majority and the former government should bear its share of responsibility for the current political situation in Tunisia when it comes to discussing the economic and health crisis which pushed the country towards an increase of social tension and the blockage of any stable political horizon.

Despite the disagreement of many national and international actors with the President of the Republic regarding the interpretation of Article 80 of the Constitution, IUSY considers that the parliamentary majority did not leave a solution except for those decisions and we insist on the importance of deploying a road map to returning quickly to the stability by establishing a new government to deal with the main challenges.

We strongly support the initiative of maintaining dialogue with all political actors and civil society organizations to discuss the possibility of early legislative elections, as well as the revision of electoral law.

We believe that Tunisia’s progress is encouraging as a success story of the Arab spring and we call upon the Tunisian citizens and political actors to preserve civil peace, stay away from all types of violence, and adhere to the national solidarity to have a quick transition and to contribute to the country progress and the regional stability.

 Since 2018, Nicaragua has experienced a political and human rights crisis. The escalation of violence in recent weeks has exacerbated that crisis, dismayed the country and the international community that has repudiated Ortega’s barbarism. 

Since 2007, the ‘Ortega Murillos’ began to dismantle the institutions and the rule of law that existed in the country. Today, all Nicaraguans live in complete and absolute lack of protection and are at the mercy of the operators of the repression. 

Since 2018, the Daniel Ortega regime has murdered more than 350 people for demonstrating and prosecuted more than 1,400 people. The authorities have tortured, beaten, harassed, and systematically and widely persecuted men and women for thinking differently, for demanding freedom, democracy, and justice. Currently, more than 130 political prisoners are in the jails of the regime. 

The kidnapping of members of the Unamos Party leadership, between Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 June 2021, is part of these persecution acts in a clear attempt to neutralize the opposition. Ortega’s regime is currently subjecting them to isolation and illegal processes in which all their rights are being violated. Furthermore, many of those victims are considered as missing since they are not present to the respective authorities as legally demanded by the constitution. 

IUSY rejects the arbitrary and inhumane way the police have operated, as well as the implausible arguments used by the regime invoking laws that have no other objective than to try to justify the kidnappings of 17 Nicaraguan citizens of different social backgrounds and ideological identities that were executed in the last three weeks. 

Finally, and most importantly, IUSY calls for an end to the constant persecution of the opposition and for all political prisoners to be released. It is essential the Human Rights are guaranteed and unconditionally protected under any circumstances. 

We call on the International Community to act now and prevent further perpetrations of Human Rights violations. 

14 july 2021, Vienna

IUSY Presidium

IUSY expresses its concern about the situation lived in Cuba over the last days. We are aware of what the revolution meant for the Cuban people, but today we should be willing to reflect on the state in which the country is plunged.

As democratic socialists, we condemn the repression of the protestants who reflect the discomfort of the population. IUSY believes that the right to protest is fundamental in any democracy.

Furthermore, IUSY is concerned about the escalation of tension felt in the region, due to internal and external factors, and reaffirms its commitment to a plural democracy and unconditional respect for human rights.

We believe in a democratic alternative and we’ve historically advocated for democratic progressive options in the country. Such alternatives have led the discussion for a more open model of the ‘Cuban revolution’, but have been systematically silenced by the ruling Cuban forces. We call upon the Cuban authorities to pave the way to a multi-party system in the country where everyone’s opinion is respected and taken into consideration.

Bearing the current complex scenario in mind, IUSY once again reiterates its demand for the lifting of the economic blockade that has contributed to the impoverishment of the Cuban people. The rescission of the embargo measures adopted by the previous U.S. administration is therefore essential to guarantee a democratic dialogue focused on the well-being of the Cuban people.

Today, the coronavirus crisis has deepened the island into its worst economic situation in 30 years. To add to this reality and the previously mentioned restrictions are the effects of monetary unification and the paralysis of tourism which constitute a concerning obstacle to the dignity and well-being of the Cuban people.

Because there cannot be a true revolutionary process without democracy, IUSY stands side by side with the Cuban people in the fight for a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous future.