IUSY condemns the coup in Guinea

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 amid the current political situation in Tunisia

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.

IUSY CONDEMNS THE REPRESSION IN NICARAGUA

 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. 

IUSY Statement: For Peace and Democracy in Cuba

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.

IUSY Letter For Democracy in Swaziland

The International Union of Socialist Youth, the world’s biggest youth political organization, hereby expresses its full solidarity with the people of Swaziland, the comrades of Swaziland Youth Congress and the members of the Swaziland National Union of Students.

We follow with great concern the current situation of Swaziland and condemn all forms of violence used by the Swaziland Government supported by the King Mswati III.

Bearing in mind that:

1. In our last IUSY Congress, held in Panama on the last 18 and 19 of June, the organization approved a resolution that highlights the need for democracy in Swaziland. The resolution “Freedom and Democracy for Swaziland” states:

“The International Union Socialist Youth (IUSY), call on for the democratization of Swaziland. The people of Swaziland have been denied their freedom for too long since political parties were banned in 1973 by the monarchy. The absolute monarchy run by King Mswati does not espouse to the values of freedom, human rights which the world cherishes so much.

Swaziland remains the only state ruled by an absolute monarchy with the king having total control over all the three arms of government. More than 60 per cent of the population live below the poverty datum line, while the king spends most of the country’s economy on himself. Swaziland has the highest infection rate of HIV and AIDS in the world, with 26 % of people living with HIV/AIDS. Swaziland also has a very high unemployment rate, and more than 200 000 orphans and vulnerable children are forced to head their families as there are no adult care givers in their families. The vicious cycle of poverty, hunger and sickness, has seen the life expectancy drop to 48 years, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The people of Swaziland are fully committed to a peaceful transition in societies facing political, social and economic challenges. With the current form of government, the inequalities, violations of fundamental human rights, poverty and disease are continually rising. Our member organization the Swaziland Youth Congress (SWAYOCO) is advocating for change to transform people’s lives. Student members are currently facing arrests, torture and detainment for protesting the lack of democracy.”

2. Swaziland is Africa’s last remaining absolute monarchy;

3. Our organisation and all democratic organisations have the responsibility to promote people’s emancipation in a democratic decision-making process;  

4. The number of people brutally injured and killed at the hands of the military increases every day and the violence does not seem to stop;

5. Our comrade, Bekhinkhosi Dlamini, from Swige, was killed by the army on the 28th June 2021 during a peaceful protest, adding his life to the number of victims, as Thabani Nkomonye, who died fighting for a democratic country;

6. Internet has been shut down in Swaziland after government ordered Internet operators to stop providing it, therefore hampering the communication between Swazis and the international community;

We demand that the Swaziland government:

1. Immediately lifts the illegal curfew imposed on 29th June 2021;

2. Ends the current military state in Swaziland;

3. Publicly announces the unbanning of political parties, repealing the 1973 Decree and suppressing the Terrorist Act of 2008;

4. Releases all political prisoners and unconditionally provides the conditions for the return of all political exiles;

We further ask all our Member Organisations and the International Community to:

1. Support our previous demands;

2. Develop local, regional and worldwide actions to condemn the current actions of the Swaziland Government and of the King Mswati III;

3. Establish a peacekeeping process in the transition for a democratic state in Swaziland.

This is the time to stand in solidarity with the millions of Swazis whose hope cannot fall in vain. We, as agents of a democratic change towards a peaceful world, must act now to prevent more lives from being taken.

For Swaziland, for Democracy, for Bekhinkhosi Dlamini and the dozens of victims, we ask you to unequivocally stand on the side of human rights.

Joint Statement between IUSY, IFM-SEI, and YES on the situation in Palestine and Israel

Over the past days, tensions and violence have increased in Gaza, Israel, and the occupied West Bank. It started with Palestinian protesters speaking out against the expulsion of the Palestinian families from Sheikh Jarrah, who have met with brutality and violence from Israeli settlers backed by the government, the Israeli army, and the police. We believe the Israeli army invasion of al aqsa compound and al aqsa mosque while worshipers were praying during the holiest days of Ramadan and attacking the worshipers with stun grenades, rubber bullets and tear gas is violation of human rights. We in IUSY, IFM-SEI, and YES are heartbroken and infuriated by these immense human rights violations and strongly believe in the rights of these families to keep their homes in Sheikh Jarrah. Furthermore, we see the act towards the families in Sheikh Jarrah in the context of cutting off East Jerusalem from Bethlehem and severely undermine future negotiations towards a two-state solution in line with the internationally agreed parameters and our stand to support the two states solution We, as movements that seek peace, adhere to the principles of peaceful co-existence based upon justice and the respect of rights and universal well-being. We are apprehensive about the right-wing and interest groups in each society that profit from this conflict and from nationalism and racism expanding in these societies. We believe that violence only breeds violence, and, consequently, no one wins. Such a cycle of conflict only brings deeper and more prolonged suffering to all those living in Palestine and Israel. We are shocked, heartbroken, and infuriating to see the civilians that were murdered during these attacks especially the children. We unequivocally condemn the military strikes by the Israeli authorities on Gaza, and call on those missiles sent from Gaza onto Israel to desist. 

As IUSY, IFM-SEI, and YES, we want to see all parties in this conflict uphold international law and pursue peace, justice, and freedom for everyone living in Palestine and Israel. As Israel is the occupying force and the state that wields unparalleled military power, Israel must bear most responsibility for de-escalating this situation. It is monumentally important that now and always, we as members of IUSY, IFM-SEI, and YES take action against any violent actions, and stand by those who are harmed and disenfranchised.

What can you do:

SOCIAL MEDIA → Use #SaveSheikhJarrah in your social media posts and amplify the voices of the Palestinian protesting for saving the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.

EDUCATE → Educate yourself about the situation, the impact of violence on people’s liberation, and the growing traction of right wing organizations involved in such conflicts.

ADVOCATE → Get in touch with your representatives and encourage them to call for non-violence and a peaceful resolution of the conflict, and support anti-occupation legislation and the recognition of Palestine as a state.

*This statement was adopted over the explicit rejection of IUSY Vice President Mia Thiel. 

DESDE IUSY CONDENAMOS LA VIOLENCIA ESTATAL COMO MECANISMO PARA DISUADIR LA LEGITIMA PROTESTA DEL PUEBLO DE ÁMERICA

Desde IUSY manifestamos nuestra profunda preocupación por lo que está ocurriendo en Colombia. Desde hace días el pueblo colombiano se ha venido manifestando frente a las reformas impulsadas por el Gobierno de Iván Duque, desatado una de las movilizaciones más grandes en la historia del país. Inicialmente,  el reclamo se elevó contra la reforma tributaria que pone impuestos a los alimentos, los bienes de primera necesidad y los salarios de los trabajadores de menores ingresos.

 Como producto de la manifestación se cometió abuso de la fuerza contra la población civil que ejercía su derecho a la protesta, los diferentes sectores sociales y económicos se movilizaron contra las injusticias del gobierno en un momento critico para el país que quedó fuertemente afectado después de la pandemia. Aunque el gobierno retiró la reforma tributaria el pasado domingo, las manifestaciones continuaron por la defensa de los derechos humanos que fueron atrozmente vulnerados en el tiempo de marcha. El llamado del pueblo a generar cambios sustanciales no ha cesado, porque la reforma no es el único escenario amenazador para las clases más vulnerables del país. Un país donde se ha deslegitimizado protesta y donde se han tomado decisiones gubernamentales que atentan contra la justicia social, la libertad de expresión, la democracia y la paz.  

Por tanto, Instamos al gobierno a esclarecer los hechos, a que tome medidas urgentes contra el abuso de la fuerza pública. No puede seguir ignorando los casos de abuso policial, homicidios, detenciones arbitrarias y  múltiples violencias  por parte de la fuerza pública. Condenamos la violación de derechos humanos y la falta de garantías de un estado de derecho. Llamamos al dialogo del gobierno con los diferentes sectores sociales, en especial con Comité Nacional del paro, económicos y políticos para que se llegue a consensos de paz y bienestar. El dialogo es el camino para dirimir el conflicto.

Condenamos la violencia estatal como mecanismo para disuadir la legítima protesta de un pueblo que ha visto crecer la pobreza muy por encima del crecimiento promedio de América Latina y rechazamos, especialmente, la instrucción taxativa del ex presidente Álvaro Uribe a los miembros de las fuerzas del Estado para hacer uso de las armas contra los manifestantes. 

IUSY, fiel a sus principios democráticos, rechaza la militarización de las ciudades colombianas como respuesta a las protestas y toda instrucción oficial que tenga como propósito desatar la muerte oficial y la desaparición de la población civil, nos solidarizamos con las víctimas y los familiares de las y los jóvenes asesinados, desaparecidos y heridos durante las jornadas a la vez que exigimos justicia para ellas y para ellos.Por último, solicitamos a los organismos internacionales defensores de Derechos Humanos a prestar especial vigilancia a lo que sucede en Colombia, las denuncias masivas de la ciudadanía en contra del Estado y el silencio por parte de las autoridades locales sobre lo que allí sucede nos debe alertar sobre hechos que presuntamente, violan los estándares democráticos de la región.

IUSY CONDEMNS STATE VIOLENCE AS A MECHANISM TO DISSUADE THE LEGITIMATE PROTEST OF THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA.

From IUSY we express our deep concern about what is happening in Colombia. For days the Colombian people have been demonstrating against the reforms promoted by the government of Ivan Duque, unleashing one of the largest mobilizations in the country’s history. Initially, the claim was raised against the tax reform that taxes food, necessities, and lower-income workers’ salaries.

 As a result of the demonstration, abuse of force was committed against the civilian population exercising their right to protest. The different social and economic sectors mobilized against the governmental injustices at a critical moment for the country that was heavily affected after the pandemic. Although the government withdrew the tax reform last Sunday, the demonstrations continued to defend human rights that were atrociously violated during the march. The call of the people to generate substantial changes has not ceased because the reform is not the only scary scenario for the most vulnerable classes of the country.  Where protest has been delegitimized, and government decisions have been made that threaten social justice, freedom of expression, democracy and peace.  

Therefore, we urge the government to clarify the facts, to take urgent measures against the abuse of public force. It cannot continue to ignore the cases of police abuse, homicides, arbitrary detentions and multiple violence by the security forces. We condemn the violation of human rights and the lack of guarantees of the rule of law. We call for dialogue between the government and the different social sectors, especially with the National Committee of the strike, economic and political sectors, to reach consensus for peace and well-being. Dialogue is the way to resolve the conflict.

We condemn state violence as a mechanism to dissuade the legitimate protest of a people that has seen poverty grow well above the average growth of Latin America.  And reject, especially, the strict instruction of former President Alvaro Uribe to members of the state forces to use weapons against protesters. 

IUSY, faithful to its democratic principles, rejects Colombian cities’ militarisation in response to protests and any official instruction that aims to unleash official death and disappearance of the civilian population. We stand in solidarity with the victims and relatives of the young people killed, disappeared and wounded during the days while demanding justice for them.

Finally, we request international human rights organizations to pay special attention to what is happening in Colombia. The massive denunciations of citizens against the State and the silence of local authorities about what is happening there should alert us about events that allegedly violate democratic standards in the region.

IUSY CONDAMNE LA VIOLENCE D’ÉTAT COMME UN MÉCANISME POUR DISSUADER LA PROTESTATION LÉGITIME DU PEUPLE AMÉRICAIN.

De la part de l’IUSY, nous exprimons notre profonde préoccupation quant à ce qui se passe en Colombie. Depuis plusieurs jours, le peuple colombien manifeste contre les réformes promues par le gouvernement d’Ivan Duque, déclenchant l’une des plus grandes mobilisations de l’histoire du pays. Au départ, la revendication s’est élevée contre la réforme fiscale qui taxe les aliments, les produits de première nécessité et les salaires des travailleurs à faibles revenus.

 À la suite de la manifestation, des abus de force ont été commis à l’encontre de la population civile qui exerçait son droit de protester. Les différents secteurs sociaux et économiques se sont mobilisés contre les injustices gouvernementales à un moment critique pour le pays qui a été fortement touché par la pandémie. Bien que le gouvernement ait retiré la réforme fiscale dimanche dernier, les manifestations ont continué à défendre les droits de l’homme qui ont été atrocement violés pendant la marche. L’appel du peuple à générer des changements substantiels n’a pas cessé car la réforme n’est pas le seul scénario effrayant pour les classes les plus vulnérables du pays.  Où la protestation a été délégitimée et où le gouvernement a pris des décisions qui menacent la justice sociale, la liberté d’expression, la démocratie et la paix.  

Par conséquent, nous exhortons le gouvernement à clarifier les faits, à prendre des mesures urgentes contre l’abus de la force publique. Il ne peut continuer à ignorer les cas d’abus policiers, d’homicides, de détentions arbitraires et de violences multiples par les forces de sécurité. Nous condamnons la violation des droits de l’homme et l’absence de garanties de l’État de droit. Nous appelons au dialogue entre le gouvernement et les différents secteurs sociaux, en particulier avec le Comité national de la grève, les secteurs économiques et politiques, afin de parvenir à un consensus pour la paix et le bien-être. Le dialogue est le moyen de résoudre le conflit.

Nous condamnons la violence de l’État comme mécanisme pour dissuader la protestation légitime d’un peuple qui a vu la pauvreté croître bien au-delà de la croissance moyenne de l’Amérique latine.  Et nous rejetons, en particulier, l’instruction stricte donnée par l’ancien président Alvaro Uribe aux membres des forces de l’État d’utiliser des armes contre les manifestants. 

La IUSY, fidèle à ses principes démocratiques, rejette la militarisation des villes colombiennes en réponse aux protestations et toute instruction officielle visant à déclencher la mort et la disparition de la population civile. Nous sommes solidaires des victimes et des proches des jeunes tués, disparus et blessés durant ces journées tout en exigeant que justice leur soit rendue.Enfin, nous demandons aux organisations internationales des droits de l’homme de prêter une attention particulière à ce qui se passe en Colombie. Les dénonciations massives des citoyens contre l’État et le silence des autorités locales sur ce qui s’y passe doivent nous alerter sur les événements qui violeraient les normes démocratiques dans la région.

IUSY Feminist Working Group Meeting 2021

OVERVIEW

What: Feminist Working Group Meeting 2021

When: 15-16 April

Where: Zoom online platform

Age: 18-35 years                                                                                                               

Registration Deadline:  12 April, 12:00PM CET

Concept 

Every year, IUSY Feminist Working Group brings together young activists of IUSY member organisations to engage in a dialogue on common struggles and obstacles, and work together to come up with strategies to enact political and social change within our organisations and beyond. 

This year, Feminist working group meeting will take place on the 15th and 16th of April under the topic “That’s enough! Let’s build feminist organisations”.

Young feminist activists continue organising across movements in an intersectional way, locally, nationally, regionally and globally even in these difficult times of pandemic. Regardless of the work and continuous fight by many feminist organisations and networks, we continue facing discrimination in our organisational structures, lack of support in political and economic empowerment and in participatory decision making processes. 

In this year’s working group meeting, we want to get down to the essence of how we walk the walk and not just talk the talk in our quest to build an international socialist/social-democratic organisations that are feminist. By deconstructing old narratives, being critical, sharing good practices and highlighting topics such as intersectionality and gender discrimination within organsations, this meeting will give participants the tools and skills:

  • to acknowledge, define and share the main problems among our organisations 
  • to have the space to acknowledge and share best practices for continuous work
  • to build a network of feminist activists and a chance to be a part of the feminist working group

Thus, the main goals of this meeting are: 

  • to acknowledge, define and share the main problems among organisations;
  • to acknowledge and share best practices and achievements for continuous work;
  • to continue building a network of feminist activists;
  • to give tools and raise awareness about gender discrimination within organisations;
  • to engage young feminist activists within the working group, across the different regions. 

What can you expect? 

We will get together for 2 days (about 2.5 hours per day) in an informal and formal settings. This means we will have a space to talk, to share, to support and to act. 

The meeting will start either at 1PM CET or 2PM CET. The time will be confirmed as soon as it is possible taking into account the different time zones.

More details on the programme will come soon and all registered participants will be informed of the technicalities and the content of the meeting. 

The meeting will be held online on the Zoom platform. It will be in English and without any participation fee. 

It is important to remember that our events are safe spaces and that we are mindful and respectful towards each other.

Who can apply

This activity is aimed towards the activists of IUSY member organisations. Please note that it is required that the participants stay for the whole duration of the activity and also to contribute to the working group after the meeting.

Participants should:

  • Belong to IUSY member organisation
  • Be aged 18-35
  • Have been active/working/studying in the field of feminism/feminist movement 
  • Be willing to continue to work and be active in the field of gender and feminism 
  • Availability to contribute to IUSY activities in future

How to apply

To apply you must complete the following this form or copy/pasting the following link https://forms.gle/ZMhZ8BGpj4vwRtNe6 by 12 April, 12:00PM CET.

Contact information

Should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact the coordinator of the project at the IUSY Secretariat:

Gohar Ghandilyan 

IUSY Project Manager

EMAIL: gohar.ghandilyan@iusy.org

Phone: +43 699 135 32 960