Call for Applications: Asia Pacific Committee Meeting 2018 “Take Back Democracy”

Overview

What:             IUSY Asia Pacific Committee

When:            29 November to 02 December 2018

Where:           Kathmandu, Nepal

Outline

The Olof Palme International Centre’s Global Project finances the IUSY Asia Pacific Committee. The IUSY Asia Pacific Committee 2018 will gather together IUSY member organisations and representatives from the Asia Pacific Region. The aim of the seminar will be to provide to the Member Organisations a platform to discuss the problems in the region and how they can work to achieve better democracies and respect for human rights. The event is hosted by our member organisation NSU.

Theme

Promoting democracy and human rights is still a battle in the Asia Pacific. The killings in the Philippines, the refugee crisis in the Manus island, the possible ethnic cleansing in Myanmar and governance problems in Nepal are grave human rights issues that affect thousands of people daily. It will be the task of socialist youths in the region to stand in solidarity with young people across the globe for a free and equal future.

For any questions or remarks please don’t hesitate to contact the IUSY Secretariat at iusy@iusy.org, put  APC 2018 in the  subject  line.

Participation Profile & Selection Process
Each member organisation may register up to one participant for the meeting.
The selection criteria will be based on

1. Gender Balance (both IUSY statutes and the global project require gender balance)
2. It is only open to Member organisations and interested organisations in the Asia Pacific Region.

Participants must be able to attend the entire programme of the seminar.

It’s preferable that participants have an interest in democracy and human rights.

All participants must be aged 18-35 years old, with no exceptions.

How to apply
Participants must apply by filling in the registration form that you can find here.

The deadline for application is 30 of September 2018.

Participation fee
The participation fee for the event is 30€ per person and must be paid with bank transfer by Wednesday 29th October 2018. You will receive the bank details upon selection.

Please note that you will have to be selected before you pay the participation fee.

The participation fee will cover accommodation, meals, refreshments and programme for the duration of the event. Any additional nights’ accommodation must be arranged and paid for by participants.

Once you have made the bank transfer, please send a payment receipt to iusy@iusy.org. Please be aware that IUSY cannot take responsibility for any bank fees.

Visas
The IUSY Secretariat will support visa applications for the event. Please note that the Secretariat will support you with a visa invitation letter. Participants themselves must apply for the visa and book appointments with the embassies/consulates.

Travel Reimbursement
Travel reimbursement is available up to a fixed reference price for member organisations.  Only economy tickets will be reimbursed.

Cancellations
Each organisation whose participant withdraws after the 1 of November without a valid reason will be charged the participation fee.

Contact
iusy@iusy.org

Joint Statement by Akbayan Youth and Young Meretz on President Dutertes visit in Israel

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit in Israel spells a dangerous future for young people in both countries. Duterte is not a friend of the Israeli people as he admires Adolf Hitler and takes inspiration from the Holocaust for his killing policy in the Philippines. That is why inaugurating a memorial commemorating the rescue of Jews by the Philippine during World War 2, is insincere, after what Duerte has been saying about Hitler.

Moreover, It is a disgrace that he is received by the right-wing, violent, government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One of the aims of the meeting is selling weapons to Duterte’s cruel regime, which is a crime. Israel shouldn’t cooperate with enabling atrocities around the world, selling weapons to dictators that use them irresponsibly and against their own people.

Duterte’s visit to Israel only spoiled the history of solidarity between the people of Israel and the Philippines. Akbayan Youth and Young Meretz denounce Duterte’s visit to Israel and call on the government to cancel all meetings and deals with his government.

IUSY expresses condemnation for the murder of social leaders in Colombia [EN]

The International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) strongly condemns the systematic assassinations and attacks against social leaders and human rights defenders in Colombia, as dynamics of violence continue, despite the implementation of the peace agreement with FARC.

This year more than 100 social leaders has been murdered. A trend  that has been growing alarmingly in the region. The increase in these cases of aggression highlights the importance of the discussion on security in the communities and the existence of common patterns among the crimes committed.

The struggle for access to land, care for natural resources and for greater social justice must not be violated through illegal surveillance, harassment, sabotage, defamation, threats or assassinations by paramilitaries, post demobilised groups or State agents.

Those who live in the regions that were most affected by the armed conflict are the most vulnerable today to violations of their fundamental rights, mainly in places like Antioquia, Arauca, Chocó, Córdoba, Nariño, Norte de Santander and Valle del Cauca.

As IUSY we reiterate our commitment to consolidate the desired peace in Colombia, however, we urge the Colombian State to make the necessary efforts to support social leaders and human rights defenders, speeding up independent judicial investigations to clarify these cases, and reinforcing measures for prevention and protection, effectively guaranteeing the right to life and the physical and psychological integrity of Colombians.

IUSY manifiesta su condena por el asesinato de líderes sociales en Colombia [ES]

La Unión Internacional de Juventudes Socialistas (IUSY, por sus siglas en inglés) rechaza y condena enérgicamente los sistemáticos asesinatos y ataques a líderes sociales y defensores de los derechos humanos en Colombia, continuando latentes distintas dinámicas de violencia, a pesar de la implementación del acuerdo de paz con las FARC.

Este año se contabilizan más de 100 líderes sociales asesinados, siendo un fenómeno que ha ido creciendo alarmantemente en la región. El aumento de estos casos de agresiones pone sobre la mesa la discusión sobre la seguridad en las comunidades y la existencia de patrones comunes entre los crímenes realizados.

La lucha por el acceso a la tierra, al cuidado de los recursos naturales y por una mayor justicia social no deben ser vulnerados a través de vigilancia ilegal, hostigamiento, sabotaje, difamación, amenazas o asesinatos por parte de grupos paramilitares, posdemovilizados o de seguridad del Estado.

Quienes habitan las regiones que fueron las más afectadas por el conflicto armado son los más vulnerables hoy a las transgresiones de sus derechos fundamentales, principalmente en lugares como Antioquia, Arauca, Chocó, Córdoba, Nariño, Norte de Santander y Valle del Cauca.

Como IUSY reiteramos nuestro compromiso para que se consolide la anhelada paz en Colombia, sin embargo, instamos a dicho Estado a hacer los esfuerzos necesarios para apoyar a líderes sociales y defensores de derechos humanos, dándole celeridad a las investigaciones judiciales para aclarar estos casos, y reforzando medidas para la prevención y protección, garantizando en forma efectiva el derecho a la vida y la integridad física y psíquica de las y los colombianos.

IUSY to the Nepali government: stop the violence against youth protesters!

IUSY condemns reports of severe human rights violations in Nepal, as police opened fire at protesters on August 24.

Protesters were demanding fairness and justice in the rape and murder case of 13 year old Nirmala Pant. The police fired at enraged locals protesting under the leadership of Nepal Student Union (NSU). The seventeen year old Sunny Khuna from Bhagatpur in Kanchanpur died and 24 others are severly injured after the clash with the police.

CPN leader and ex-Deputy Prime Minister Bhim Rawal has done little to bring justice to Pant. He has instead accused Nepali Congress of organizing the protest against the government even while the demonstrations were led by locals in Kanchanpur district.

The government appears to be involved in a cover up as the police presented a suspect that is allegedly mentally challenged. There is widespread doubt among the locals that this person is the culprit. The locals suspect the incident to be a government policy that saves the real culprit who is allegedly a powerful person protected by the ruling regime.

The Nepali government has dealt with critics harshly. There are reports that the government fired upon protestors clamoring for reforms in the healthcare sector, supporting Dr. Govinda KC’s stance. We are alarmed of reports that Nepal Tarun Dal’s (NTD), the youth wing of Nepali Congress, President Jitjung Basnet was targetted and attacked by the police.

IUSY expresses solidarity to the youth protesters of Nepal in their demands for justice and their fight for democracy. We call on the Nepali government to cease violent operations against protesters, take action against the rape case of Pant and start an independent investigation, release political critics and uphold their obligation under human rights law.

IUSY at the congress of Socialist Youth of Argentina

ES:

El pasado fin de semana, la Juventud Socialista de Argentina realizó su Congreso en la ciudad de Buenos Aires, con el objetivo puesto en el fortalecimiento de su programa político y la generación de propuestas de trabajo. A dicha instancia concurrieron cerca de 200 delegados y delegadas de todos los rincones de Argentina, liderados por el Secretario Nacional Juan Silvero, quienes en comisiones de trabajo dieron el debate a lo largo de la jornada.

A la cita concurrieron representando a IUSY la Presidenta Johanna Ortega y el Vice-Pdte Rodrigo Muñoz, contando con la presencia de la Vice-Pdta dueña de casa Agustina Rodríguez, quienes en conjunto participaron de un conversatorio internacional sobre lo que ocurre a nivel mundial con la izquierda y las dificultades del socialismo en América Latina.

EN:

Last weekend, the Socialist Youth of Argentina held its Congress in the city of Buenos Aires, with the aim of strengthening its political program and generating work proposals. About 200 delegates and delegates from all corners of Argentina attended the event, led by the National Secretary Juan Silvero, who in working committees gave the debate throughout the day.

The meeting was attended by IUSY President Johanna Ortega and Vice-President Rodrigo Muñoz, with the presence of  Agustina Rodríguez, Vice-president of our organization too, who together participated in an international discussion on what is happening worldwide, the left and the difficulties of socialism in Latin America.

IUSY manifiesta preocupación por la creciente violencia política por parte del Gobierno de Venezuela! 

La Unión Internacional de Juventudes Socialistas (IUSY, por sus siglas en inglés) manifiesta su preocupación por la sistemática violación a los Derechos Humanos en Venezuela, donde recientemente se han cometido lamentables acciones contra dirigentes políticos de oposición.

A partir de los hechos del pasado 4 de agosto, cuando se celebró el aniversario de la Guardia Nacional Bolivariana, donde se encontraban el alto mando político y militar, entre ellos, el Presidente Nicolas Maduro, se han desatado una serie de acusaciones y amenazas que buscan, entre otros aspectos, responsabilizar a los partidos políticos opositores de lo ocurrido, sin haberse agotado previamente las investigaciones ni los procedimientos judiciales correspondientes.

En ese sentido, exigimos a las autoridades del gobierno de Venezuela que en el caso del Diputado del Parlamento Juan Requesens, se garanticen sus derechos fundamentales, el debido proceso y respeto a la Constitución, toda vez que al momento de su detención gozaba de inmunidad parlamentaria. Por lo tanto, el ingreso a su domicilio por parte del organismo de inteligencia y contrainteligencia (SEBIN) y su posterior encarcelamiento, vulneran libertades y garantías mínimas en cualquier democracia.

En este mismo orden, manifestamos nuestra solidaridad al pueblo de Venezuela, especialmente a sus jóvenes, frente a la crisis que atraviesan y las grandes dificultades económicas, políticas y sociales en las que se encuentra ese país.

Así mismo, hacemos un llamado a todos los sectores del país para generar entendimiento, y crear un clima de encuentro entre los venezolanos, donde la paz, la tolerancia, el respeto y la convivencia política tengan cabida, y juntos trabajen por el bien común de esa Nación.

Finalmente, queremos manifestar que el camino de la violencia por parte de los grupos extremistas, solo ha traído escalada del conflicto y dolor a Venezuela, por lo que recomendamos, una vez más, cesen los niveles de odio y de violencia política.

English version:

IUSY expresses concern about the growing political violence and condemns violation of Human Rights by the Government of Venezuela.

The International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) expresses its concern about the systematic violation of Human Rights in Venezuela, where recently there have been regrettable actions against opposition political leaders.

From last August 4, regard the anniversary of the Bolivarian National Guard, where the political and military high command, among them, President Nicolas Maduro, were held, a series of accusations and threats have been unleashed. They are looking foward, among other things, to hold political parties opposed to what happened, without having previously exhausted the investigations or the corresponding judicial procedures.

In this regard, we demand from the authorities of the Venezuelan government that in the case of Parliament Deputy Juan Requesens, their fundamental rights, due process and respect for the Constitution be guaranteed, since at the time of his detention he enjoyed parliamentary immunity. Therefore, the entry into your home by the intelligence and counterintelligence agency (SEBIN) and its subsequent imprisonment, violate liberties and minimum guarantees in any democracy.

In this same order, we express our solidarity to the people of Venezuela, especially their young people, in the face of the crisis they are going through and the great economic, political and social difficulties in which that country finds itself.

Likewise, we call on all sectors of the country to generate understanding, and create a climate of encounter among Venezuelans, where peace, tolerance, respect and political coexistence have a place, and together they work for the common good of that Nation.

Finally, we want to state that the path of violence by extremist groups, has only brought escalation of the conflict and pain to Venezuela, so we recommend, once again, stop the levels of hatred and political violence.