Secretary general, Beatriz Talegón, is going to represent IUSY at the World Social Forum (WSF) which will be held in Tunis from 26 to 30 March. This is the first time the WSF will be held in an Arab country and, moreover, in the country where the Arab Spring toppled the first dictator. Activists the world over agree that global finance undermines democracy and are set to blast austerity.
Author: IUSY Secretariat
Statement by NSF on Violence Against Women
IUSY is publishing a statement by the National Salvation Front (NSF), in which the Egyptian Social Democratic Party (ESDP) is a member, about the escalation of violence against women in the country in the last few months. The struggle for women’s rights is taking place all over the world and we encourage progressive forces to stand in solidarity with this struggle.
24 March 2014
The last few months have witnessed an unprecedented escalation in the severity of assaults on women and their rights in Egypt. While violence against women is part and parcel of the violence meted out to Egyptian citizens now by a brutal regime bent on aborting the revolution and breaking the spirit of protesters using all means possible, it is nevertheless pertinent to address the attacks directed against women in particular as it is practiced on more than one level and manifested in various forms, namely:
1- The marked increase in the frequency and level of physical violence against women, which reached its peak on the 25th of January 2013, when a large number of women were subjected to sexual assaults in the vicinity of Tahrir square. The violence continued against women and women activists, the last case being the assault on the activist, Mervat Moussa who was attacked in front of the headquarters of the Muslim Brotherhood.
2-The deliberate marginalization of national structures that uphold women’s rights, using all different means, the targeting of distinguished national figures with malicious rumours with the aim of spreading confusion and unrest, and last but not least, the launch of initiatives that undermine existing national structures.
3-The loud calls for withdrawal from international conventions and treatises ratified by Egypt, particularly as regards conventions that protect women’s rights, a direction with potentially grave consequences for women and a direct negative impact on the regional and international standing of Egypt.
4-The dissemination of discourses that incite hatred and resentment against women and that rupture the fabric of society, while the perpetrators enjoy impunity as the ruling regime turns a blind eye.
Therefore, the National Salvation Front
1- Condemns all forms of violence against women and considers all such acts as systematic crimes against all Egyptians.
2-Pledges solidarity with all Egyptian women who are victims of all forms of assaults.
3-Commits to taking measures to prosecute perpetrators of violence before Egyptian courts as well as international courts.
4-Calls on the President of Egypt and state institutions to assume their responsibility in protecting men and women.
5-Rejects the initiative entitled “supporting Egyptian women’s rights and freedom” launched by President Mohamed Morsi today.
6-Rejects all attempts by the regime to withdraw from Egypt’s commitments to international conventions and treatises, particularly as regards women and human rights.
7-Announces the establishment of a permanent committee in the NSF to defend women’s rights and to counter the violence directed against them.
Long live Free Egypt.
Commemorations in Argentina
On Sunday, 24 March 2013, the National Committee and the Youth of the Radical Civic Union (UCR) call on members, supporters and all people to come out to commemorate the victims of the state oppression from 1973 to 1983. The struggle for historical truth, justice and the welfare of the Argentines continues today. We publish the full circular of the UCR statement.
ANIVERSARIO DEL GOLPE DEL ’76
EL 24 EN EL COMITÉ NACIONALEste domingo a las 16 la UCR rendirá homenaje a los radicales que lucharon contra el terrorismo de Estado. Luego marcharemos juntos hacia Plaza de Mayo
Convocan:
Comité Nacional, Comité Capital, Comité Provincia de Buenos Aires, Honorable Convención Nacional, JR Nacional, JR Capital, JR Provincia de Buenos Aires, OTR Nacional, OTR Capital, OTR Provincia de Buenos Aires, Franja Morada, Mujeres Radicales por la Igualdad, representantes partidarios en la FUA, y Bloques de Diputados y Senadores Nacionales.
Autoridades, militantes, simpatizantes y amigos del partido radical: los esperamos el domingo 24 de marzo en el Comité Nacional, Alsina 1786, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, a las 16 horas.
Rendiremos homenaje a los hombres y mujeres que, con valentía y entrega, lucharon contra el terrorismo de Estado entre 1973 y 1983; a los perseguidos, exiliados, detenidos, desaparecidos, asesinados y a quienes aún hoy, a 30 años de la recuperación de la democracia, libran una batalla contra la impunidad, por la verdad histórica, la justicia y el bienestar del pueblo argentino.
Después de descubrir una placa conmemorativa, formaremos una columna hacia la Plaza de Mayo, con los jóvenes que luchan hoy por mejorar la democracia, lado a lado con la generación que vivió en carne propia las atrocidades del terrorismo de Estado, y dijo “Nunca Más”.
Nuestro propósito es marchar en familia, con amigos, pacíficamente, en estado de reflexión, recordando a quienes hicieron posible el regreso de la democracia.
Todos los argentinos, con independencia de nuestra filiación política, debemos estar unidos en este día especial y trabajar juntos por un país tolerante, inclusivo, edificado en valores y en el respeto pleno de los derechos humanos.
¡Los esperamos!
Racism still prevalent
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Read this article written by Boris Ginner, IUSY Vice President and head of the IUSY Fight against Right-Wing Extremism, for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. He discusses the current situation concerning race relations in Austria.
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» Rassismus immer noch aktuell
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European Youth for Freedom in Belarus!
IUSY is one of the signatories of the following document about the unfair elections and state of human rights in Belarus.
“On 18 March 2013, on the occasion of the 7th unfortunate anniversary of Lukashenka’s condemned election victory, we, representatives of European youth, denounce the persisting human rights violation in Belarus.
The last presidential elections on 19th of December 2010 ended in mass detentions of protesters, with leaders of opposition being imprisoned, independent media cracked down, and Internet users reported by their service provider for visiting opposition websites… Ever since coming to the power in 1994 the president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenka, has oppressed the freedom of his people and ignored their voices.
We decry Europe’s last dictatorship and want to show support for the suppressed Belarusian people lacking even basic human rights taken for granted by Europeans elsewhere today. In particular we want to show solidarity with the young people in Belarus and empower them to fight for their rights and make them aware that the European youth civil society is fully supportive of their cause.
We demand abolishment of death penalty, respect of human rights, democratic elections and freedom of press, assembly and association and a clear attitude of the European Union towards Belarus. Deeply appalled by the on-going human rights violations in Belarus, we recall the historic achievement of the European integration project which brought peace and democracy to our continent. That’s why we call the EU and its Member States to strictly enforce sanctions such as travel and visa restrictions against high officials as well as restrictive measures like the freezing of assets, in order to increase the pressure on Lukashenka.
At the same time the EU should look for ways of supporting the young people in Belarus directly via democratic and youth-led organisations operating both within the country as well as in the diaspora. Making Belarus and cooperation in the field of youth and education a priority within the Eastern Partnership could be a way of giving a helping hand to those who need it, supporting democracy movements in Belarus while isolating the regime and putting ever more pressure on it. Young Belarusians should have the right to move freely around Europe to meet and exchange with their peers and enjoy equal opportunities of benefiting from European mobility programmes.
We invite all European youth to speak up for freedom and democracy in Belarus and we call European politicians and people all over the world to join us in a global call for freedom, democracy and respect of human rights in Belarus.”
Peaceful Resolution to the Macedonian Crisis
IUSY is publishing the full statement by the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDUM). After months of of protests triggered by the ejection of opposition parliamentarians from the National Assembly, the SDUM has reached an agreement with the governing party for their readmission to National Assembly.
This victory has been achieved by the struggle still continues. The events of Black Monday will not be forgotten!
» Statement by the SDUM on the latest political developments
1st IUSY Presidium Meeting 2013
21-24 February 2013, Israel/Palestine
End of February the IUSY Presidium gathered for its first meeting in 2013 in Jerusalem. Hosted by the Willy Brandt Center, an international political cooperation project and meeting space in Jerusalem for Israeli, Palestinian and international activists, the framework was set for a highly political and productive meeting. Apart from the immediate Presidium business – monitoring, planning, steering IUSY activities and representation – the political program focused on the Israel/Palestine conflict. Thanks to the joint effort of our member organizations from Israel (Young Meretz, Young Labour) and Palestine (Fatah Youth) the IUSY Presidium experienced the situation on the ground from various perspectives and discussed the political reality with a range of high level political actors.
More Pictures on flickr: www.flickr.com/iusyglobal
IUSY World Council 2013
High on the Presidium’s agenda were the preparations for the upcoming IUSY World Council in May in Germany. Main points prepared by the Presidium concern the Council’s thematic focus, membership decisions, workshops and networking spaces. Logistic preparations are running smoothly, not least thanks to the great help of our German hosts, Jusos and SJD-Die Falken.
The Presidium elaborated the framework for a new IUSY Campaign to discuss at the Council and get the support of the Member Organizations for committed joint action under the theme: “Fighting Global Inequalities, locally”. The campaign idea aims at providing a common frame for IUSY activities in 2013/14, linking the local struggles under this common frame and highlighting their common dimension.
The Workers Youth Festival will be the great bonus treat after this year’s IUSY World Council. IUSY will bring high international participation as well as an international political perspective to the Festival. The IUSY Presidium will organize five Regional Seminars, each highlighting the main challenges in the respective region. Aim is to avoid abstract discussions but allow interested activists from other countries to get directly involved with IUSY activists from sister organizations from the regions on the issues they deal with in their political struggles. In a concluding seminar the regional struggles and topics will be discussed from a global perspective giving an outlook on IUSY’s work on a global level that links and brings together all member organizations from all over the world in their political struggles.
IUSY and the Socialist International
The IUSY Presidium underlined its commitment to the importance of a strong socialist and social democratic movement on a global level in the framework of a reformed SI. At the recent SI Council in Portugal (Cascais, 4-5 February 2013) IUSY’s leadership engaged actively in all spaces possible, continuously pushing for reform and working to strengthen the voice of the Youth. The internal situation of the SI is difficult, and getting worse. Member organizations lost their believe in the Socialist International and are withdrawing their support. IUSY continuous to believe in the SI and stays committed to the SI as its Youth. Because of this IUSY will continue pushing for serious reform of the SI and will and work together with all platforms and networks pursuing this goal. IUSY Secretary General Beatriz Talegón gave a widely received speech to the SI Council calling for reform and action that holds up to our real values. Watch her inspiring speech on the IUSY Youtube-Channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVfyIt450EI
Israel/Palestine and the role of the International Community
With our two Vice Presidents, Nimrod Barnea (Young Meretz, Israel) and Hanin Khoury (Fatah Youth, Palestine), IUSY has the direct link to the progressive forces in Israel and Palestine. The two did a great job in bringing the IUSY Presidium together with actors of civil society and decision-makers, providing space for direct discussions, personal encounters and experiencing the reality of the Israeli occupation and its effects on both societies. The red line in all talks and visits was the whole issue-complex of the conflict, the occupation and the question on how to deal with it, both on the ground and in particular what role the International Community could/should play.
In discussions with activists and decision-makers from Israel, e.g. newly elected young Members of Knesset (Israeli National Parliament) Tamar Zandberg (Meretz) and Michal Biran (Labour), Senior Member of Knesset Nitzan Horowitz (Meretz), focus was also on the inner Israeli social and political conflicts, one key issue being the separation of religion and state our partners are fighting for. In the discussions with the Fatah Leadership and PLO foreign affairs and negotiations department the focus was on the continuing Israeli government policy towards creating a ‘One-State reality’ and the current resurgence of the Palestinian Peaceful Popular Resistance movement. The IUSY Presidium especially discussed the role the International Community can play to bring about substantial and tangible changes concerning the Israeli occupation. In a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the IUSY Presidium discussed the PLO’s approach towards the International Community and the progress of the ongoing reconciliation talks between Fatah and Hamas. President Abbas thanked IUSY for its support in the successful UN bid officially recognizing Palestine as a state. IUSY stays committed to taking an active role in the peaceful conflict resolution and supports all progressive forces in the region. In line with that IUSY is committed to pressure the International Community and all mother parties to take a decisive approach when it comes to the occupation and human rights violations. IUSY stands with the progressive Youth in Israel and Palestine in the struggle for ending the occupation – for giving all youth a true perspective for a better future.
Derechos de las Mujeres
IUSY is publishing an article written by Yndira Sandoval on behalf of the Juventudes de Izquierda of the PRD in Mexico on the subject of International Women’s Day.
DERECHOS DE LAS MUJERES: FICHAS DE CAMPIO EN PACTO MIOPE
Ante la evidente crisis económica, política, social e institucional por la que atraviesa nuestro país, sin lugar a dudas somos las Mujeres y las juventudes, los sectores más afectados.
La falta de oportunidades, la discriminación, las desigualdades, la militarización de nuestras calles, así como el limitado acceso a la salud, educación, empleo y seguridad, han generado la feminización de la pobreza y la agudización de la violencia contra las mujeres, el ineficiente sistema de procuración, impartición y administración de justicia emanado del sistema patriarcal, la sistemática violación a los Derechos Humanos, el amenazado Estado laico y la ausencia de la perspectiva en materia de Derechos Humanos y Equidad de Género en las políticas publicas en el país y en la mayoría de los Estados; nos han llevado a un grave nivel de vulnerabilidad para las Mujeres en general, así como a las y los jóvenes Mexicanos.
Los “GRANDES” acuerdos de este país se reducen a una mesa tripartita con miras muy cortas y cola muy larga de quienes en ella participan, es indignante que por blindar intereses políticos partidistas, se invisibilice la tan urgente y necesaria emisión de la Alerta de Género en nuestro país, y principalmente en las entidades con mayor violencia contra las mujeres, que dicho sea de paso, son gobernadas por el partido que arbitrariamente gobierna la Nación; acuerdos que además protegen los convenios del vaticano y la ultraderecha que se han traducido entre otras cosas en criminalizar nuestro Derecho a decidir sobre nuestro cuerpo.
Así llega un 8 de Marzo más, con discursos huecos y demagogia trillada, porque por mas que el feminismo y quienes militamos en él enunciemos nuestros logros, describamos la crisis, denunciemos el problema, visibilicemos la gravedad, luchemos por la justicia y promovamos la igualdad; lo cierto es que en los espacios de toma de decisiones muy pocas y pocos aliados tenemos el movimiento y las mujeres feministas o no.
La continuación de un régimen represor y autoritario, promotor del fortalecimiento al modelo económico capitalista neoliberal, que perpetúa las practicas patriarcales, ha encontrado eco en el silencio, la desmemoria e incongruencia de las fuerzas políticas de “izquierda”, que legitiman las iniciativas que representan el rezago social y la desigualdad, como la reforma laboral, la educativa y el próximo incremento del IVA a alimentos y medicinas; poniéndole género a la pobreza y a la mano de obra barata.
Si bien las mujeres y las juventudes somos las principales victimas de este sistemático estado de vulnerabilidad; es justo esta condición la que nos otorga la necesidad imperante de transformar nuestra realidad, más allá de los intereses cupulares que poco tienen que ver con la garantía y el pleno ejercicio de nuestros derechos.
Lo que se requiere hoy no es sólo un día de reflexión y más promesas retóricas, sino un liderazgo decisivo y un compromiso sostenible en el tiempo para poner fin a las prácticas abusivas y a la discriminación que impiden avanzar a las mujeres y que condenan a las juventudes. No hay nada inevitable en materia de violencia contra las mujeres y nada que ganar desviando la mirada hacia el otro lado. Por el contrario, hay muchas pruebas que confirman que promover y defender los derechos humanos de las mujeres, así como apostar por el desarrollo integral, plural y equitativo de las juventudes hace avanzar a las sociedades en su conjunto.
@YndiraSandoval, 08 de Marzo de 2013