PEACE THEMATIC NETWORK: TBILISI DECLARATION 2022

Nowadays, the world faces different types of international and local conflicts. There are currently more than 40 international conflicts around the globe that are shaping today’s synergies.  Across all continents, the world is now facing an unprecedented scenario where the post-World War II multilateral institutions play a decisive role.

The members of the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) believe that in the peaceful process of dispute settlement, the younger generation, intercultural dialogues, and solidarity among them do have key roles. For that reason, the IUSY Congress 2021 approved the implementation of the Peace Thematic Network (PTN). 

Since that decision, IUSY Presidium has decided to involve Member organisations in the network’s approach and to choose a local coordinator, to guarantee the sustainability and development of the Network in the future years. As such, the Network’s aim is to organise international events that should be joined by representatives of conflict parties and experts, guests, and civic sectors to discuss the peace process and to raise awareness among young members of the IUSY parties. 

Georgian Dream hosted the opening project of the Peace Thematic Network in Tbilisi from 20-23 September 2022. The three-day visit of IUSY included official meetings with the speaker of the Parliament, and Municipal representatives of Tbilisi and with Georgian Dream Party leadership. During panel discussions, the PTN covered regional challenges, the importance of peace and future steps of the network. 

The participants visited the conflict area in Shida Kartli region where, even 14 years after the 2008 war the occupation continues. Unfortunately, the 12 August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement has continued to be violated by the Russian Federation. 

We, young representatives of IUSY member organisations present in Tbilisi, reiterate the call on the imperialist Russian Federation to stop its interference in regional stability and to end its illegal invasion and war in Ukraine. 

Secondly, we highlight the importance of the 12 August Ceasefire Agreement fulfilment by the Russian Federation in Georgia. As such, the IUSY will further foster advocacy campaigns for the respect of international law in Georgian territories.

Moreover, the Peace Thematic Network emphasises the need for peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict according to the OSCE Minsk Group principles, as well as reiterates its support for the territorial integrity of Armenia.

The PTN also received information about the current socio-political situation in Nicaragua under the dictatorship of Daniel Ortega. The country’s institutions are deeply under attack due to the permanent interference of powers and authorities. And, until today, more than 190 opponents of Ortega’s regime have been imprisoned. Finally, more than 200,000 Nicaraguans had fled to Costa Rica and Honduras since the beginning of Ortega’s dictatorship in 2018.

The Peace Thematic Network will further develop all possible work for the establishment of the IUSY Political School for Peace and Democracy under the scope of United Nations Democracy programs.

Furthermore, future hosts should be encouraged to engage with all interested parties in the conflict to participate in any event related to the Peace Thematic Network. 

IUSY SUPPORTS THE NATIONWIDE STRIKE IN EAST KURDISTAN

During the last September 13, the Morality Police arrested a 22 years-old women, Zhina Amini, also known as Mahsa Amini, in Tehran, Iran.

Unfortunately, and after being tortured and beaten by the iranian police forces, she was a fatal victim of the crime committed by the authorities on September 17. We express our condolences to her family and friends and highly condemn the police brutality that was exercised against Mahsa.

Mahsa’s only crime was not complying with the hijab regulations, which the regime has imposed on all women across Iran and Kurdistan since coming to power in 1979. Her death has united Iranian and Kurdish society and brought many political, artistic and sports figures to the fore.

As a consequence of this horrific crime and of police brutality, the Kurdish people have declared a nationwide strike on Monday and Kurdish youth stood in the streets against the police that brutally attacks people. At this moment, we unfortunately have to mourn 4 martyrs and to highlight that more than 110 people have been injured in Kurdistan.

The International Union of Socialist Youth stands in solidarity with all women and especially supports kurdish women’s freedom, while condemning the behavior of the Islamic Republic. The IUSY once again reiterates full support to the freedom-seeking people of Kurdistan.

International Union of Socialist Youth

20/09/2022

Desde IUSY reafirmamos nuestro compromiso democrático y transformador respaldando la opción “Apruebo” en el plebiscito de Nueva Constitución para Chile este próximo 4 de septiembre de 2022.

Por primera vez en la historia el pueblo de Chile tendrá la posibilidad de aprobar una propuesta de nueva Constitución construida en democracia, con criterios de paridad y participación de los pueblos indígenas. Este texto nace como fruto de la respuesta institucional a la revuelta popular de octubre del 2019, y viene a ser expresión de los anhelos y reclamos de una sociedad precarizada por un neoliberalismo rapaz, que ha privatizado derechos y cristalizado la desigualdad.

La nueva Constitución permitirá consagrar un Estado social y democrático de derecho, el reconocimiento de la emergencia climática y la protección del medio ambiente, la plurinacionalidad, el trabajo decente, entre tantas otras temáticas que permitirán profundizar la democracia y romper con las cadenas del neoliberalismo consagrado en la actual Constitución de 1980, elaborada sin participación por la dictadura de Augusto Pinochet.

En vísperas de cumplirse los 52 años del triunfo de la Unidad Popular, que llevó a Salvador Allende a la presidencia de la República de Chile en 1970, desde la Unión Internacional de Juventudes Socialistas (IUSY) reafirmamos nuestro compromiso democrático y transformador respaldando la opción “Apruebo” en el plebiscito de Nueva Constitución para Chile este próximo 4 de septiembre de 2022.

¡El cambio es ahora!

English Version

For the first time in history, the people of Chile will have the possibility of approving a proposal for a new Constitution built in democracy, with criteria of parity and participation of indigenous peoples. This text is born as a result of the institutional response to the popular revolt of October 2019, and becomes an expression of the desires and claims of a society precarious by rapacious neoliberalism, which has privatized rights and crystallized inequality.

The new Constitution will allow the establishment of a social and democratic State of lawy, the recognition of the climate emergency and the protection of the environment, plurinationality, decent work, among many other issues that will deepen democracy and break the chains of consecrated neoliberalism in the current Constitution of 1980, elaborated without participation by the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.

On the eve of the 52nd anniversary of the triumph of the “Unidad Popular”, which led Salvador Allende to the presidency of the Republic of Chile in 1970, from the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) we reaffirm our democratic and transformative commitment by supporting the option “Approve” in the plebiscite of the New Constitution for Chile this coming September 4, 2022.

The change is now!

Desde IUSY queremos expresar nuestra profunda conmoción y condena con lo sucedido el 1 de septiembre a la noche con la Vicepresidenta de la Nación Argentina, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.

Como organización juvenil manifestamos nuestro rechazo a la violencia en todas sus manifestaciones, debemos entender este intento de magnicidio como un atentado a una institución de la democracia. En el mundo abundan hechos donde la escalada de la intolerancia nos ha llevado a conflictos muy complejos, en muchos casos con luchas armadas y persecuciones políticas. Sabemos que nada bueno sale de eso, cualquier discurso que avale o no condene lo ocurrido, es inadmisible.

Es imperioso saber qué es lo que pasó, por que pasó, y asegurarnos que este tipo de cosas no vuelvan a suceder. Un hecho de este tipo, contra una representante elegida democráticamente, pone en juego las bases sobre lo que se funda la sociedad.

IUSY siempre defenderá el método pacífico que está en la esencia de la democracia, convencidos de que ese es el camino para vencer la violencia en el mundo.

English Version

*From IUSY we want to express our deep shock and condemnation about what happened on the night of September with the Vice President of the Argentine Nation, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.
*
As a youth organization, we express our rejection of violence in all its manifestations, we must understand this assassination attempt as an attack on an institution of democracy. In the world there are many events where the escalation of intolerance has led us to very complex conflicts, in many cases with armed struggles and political persecution. We know that nothing good comes out of that, any speech that endorses or does not condemn what happened is inadmissible.

It is imperative to know what happened, why it happened, and make sure that this type of thing does not happen again. An act of this type, against a democratically elected representative, puts at stake the foundations on which society is founded.

IUSY will always defend the peaceful method that is the essence of democracy, convinced that this is the way to overcome violence in the world

ON THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE BEIRUT PORT EXPLOSION IUSY URGES FOR AN INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION

It’s been 2 years since one of the world’s largest ever non-nuclear explosions ripped through Lebanon’s capital, killing more than 200 people, including at the port and further afield, with some 6,500 injured, 300,000 people had been made temporarily homeless; entire neighbourhoods of the Lebanese capital were devastated. Based on an analysis of videos, a team from the University of Sheffield estimated that the explosion was the equivalent of 1,000 to 1,500 tonnes of TNT – about a 10th of the intensity of the nuclear bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.

Judge Tarek Bitar, is a Lebanese judge and the head of Beirut’s criminal court, is the second judge investigating the devastating Beirut port explosion. Because of the political affiliations, interference in the judicial system, and lack of accountability, Lebanon was never able to reach to peace and justice regarding any case, not only the catastrophic Beirut port explosion. Meanwhile, the investigation into the causes of the explosion has been held up for months due to political interference. Therefore, we demand to take this investigation into another level away from the Lebanese judicial system.

The tragedy continues to bring back severe memories to the Lebanese people. A section of Beirut’s massive port grain silos, shredded in the 2020 explosion, collapsed in a huge cloud of dust on Sunday after a weekslong fire, triggered by grains that had fermented and ignited in the summer heat. The northern block of the silos collapsed after what sounded like an explosion, kicking up thick gray dust that enveloped the iconic structure and the port next to a residential area. It was not immediately clear if anyone was injured.

The International Union of Socialist Youth strongly condemns the Lebanese authorities that promised a swift investigation; and instead they have brazenly blocked and stalled justice at every turn, despite a tireless campaign for justice and criminal accountability by survivors and families of victims.

IUSY calls to immediately end the violence against the Lebanese people and bring justice to the martyr’s families. IUSY calls on the United Nations to act decisively and urges for the establishment of an International and independent investigation to this act and enforce the rule of law in Lebanon.

Following up to this statement we will be launching our petition in the next couple of days to push for an international independent investigation on the second anniversary of the Beirut port explosion.

IUSY calls on all the sides involved to continue the political processes in a peaceful manner and in accordance with law.

IUSY values the commitment of basic human rights, dignity and freedoms. Democracy, the rule of law and justice must be defended at all times.

IUSY Condemns the Executions of Democratic Activists in Myanmar by the Tatmadaw (armed forces) led by General Ming Aung Hlaing

Over the past few days, the Myanmar military regime, also called as the ‘Tatmadaw’, has executed prominent democratic activists on unfounded charges. Those killed are Mr. Kyaw Min Yu, Mr. Phyo Zeya Thaw, Mr. Hla Myo Aung, Mr. Aung Thura Zaw. They were detained and tried in military courts and they had no access to independent council. There are indications that more activists currently under arrest will follow the same fate.

The International Union of Socialist Youth strongly condemns the deliberate killing of Myanmar civilians who were promoting the cause of democracy. The acts by the Myanmar junta are a blatant disregard of fundamental human rights enshrined in international law. They are also reflective of the ever-persistent presence of authoritarian rule in the region and in the world. We stand in solidarity with our Myanmar brothers and sisters and reiterate the importance of free speech and the freedom of assembly as bedrocks of democracy. The military generals seized the reigns of government in 2021 through a violent coup and has been consolidating their power through violence.

IUSY calls to immediately end the violence and for the release of all civilians arrested on grounds of political dissent. IUSY calls on the United Nations to act decisively and continue crucial investigations that uncover the roots of these crimes. In line with this is an affirmation of the media and truthful journalism as important institutions. It was through the work of brave and responsible journalists that we have known of these executions and other atrocities of the Myanmar army. IUSY also roundly condemns all nations and multinational corporations that engage in business with the Myanmar regime, despite knowledge of their crimes. Nations who supply the regime with weapons, oil, energy, or funding also bear responsibility for the crimes of the Myanmar army. Finally,  IUSY calls for the ASEAN community to take concerted action to hold the Myanmar regime accountable.

Authoritarian regimes – from Putin in Russia, Modi in India, Bolosonaro in Brazil, Orban in Hungary, and Min Aung Hlaing chief leader of the Myanmar junta – must inevitably be held accountable and confront the truth of their crimes.

IUSY manifiesta su preocupación por la situación económico, política y social de Argentina

Versión en Español

La Unión Internacional de Juventudes Socialistas (IUSY, por sus siglas en inglés), manifiesta gran preocupación por la situación política, económica y social de la Argentina.

El Gobierno nacional, con una grave irresponsabilidad, somete al pueblo argentino a las vicisitudes de su propia interna entre el Presidente Alberto Fernández y su Vicepresidenta Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. La renuncia del Ministro de Economía Martin Guzmán es la consecuencia más evidente y peligrosa de esta pelea, la cual provocó un aumento de 308 puntos en el Riesgo País y una disparada del precio real del dólar.

Esto significa más pobreza y más inflación, que es la más elevada en treinta años y que castiga siempre a los más débiles. A dos años y medio de haber asumido, aún no existe un plan económico, ni claras posiciones acerca de las reformas que necesita el país, ni compromiso político para efectuar el llamado a la concertación con las demás fuerzas políticas.

Condenamos, como juventudes comprometidas y activas, los deliberados ataques a la institucionalidad argentina, ya sea que éstos se encarnen en figuras del mismo partido gobernante, o en peligrosas expresiones de derecha, o en importantes medios de comunicación que a estas últimas responden.

El pueblo argentino se encuentra abatido y sumergido en esta crisis que atraviesa todas las facetas de la vida pública y privada. En Argentina existe un manifiesto abandono educativo; una pobreza escalofriante, que alcanza a la mitad de la población y casi 7 de cada 10 niños en el conurbano bonaerense; una inseguridad angustiante, debida, fundamentalmente, al avance del narcotráfico; una inflación histórica que ya ha superado el 60% interanual; un preocupante desabastecimiento de gasoil, necesario para el transporte de la producción agrícola.

Todo ello se suma a los problemas estructurales que el Gobierno nacional, lejos de revertirlos, los pronuncia. Entre ellos, Argentina sufre con un sistema judicial corrompido, que lejos está del valor republicano de tener una justicia independiente de intereses políticos y económicos. Cuenta con un sector formal del trabajo marcadamente débil, en un país con la mitad de sus trabajadores en el sector informal, con institutos jurídicos que carecen de capacidad para velar por los intereses de los y las trabajadoras. Existen daños ambientales terribles y que se consolidan como irreversibles, como en la provincia de Córdoba, donde ya se perdió el 95% del bosque nativo, o en la región litoral del Paraná, con quemas de humedales y sequías históricas, todo ello producido por la falta de control estatal.

Nuestro llamado, entonces, apunta a que el Gobierno nacional aporte responsabilidad y cordura ante esta dramática situación. A que ponga por delante los intereses de todo el pueblo argentino, y no sus propias internas. A que convoque a una gran concertación nacional, haciendo lo necesario para darle al país un programa y una vida pública seria, comprometida, solidaria y democrática.

IUSY expresses its concern about the economic, political and social situation in Argentina.

English Version

The International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) expresses great concern about the political, economic and social situation in Argentina.

The national government, being irresponsible, submits the argentines to the vicissitudes of its own internship between President Alberto Fernández and his Vice President, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. The resignation of Economy Minister, Martin Guzmán, is the most obvious and dangerous consequence of this fight, which caused an increase of 308 points in Country Risk and a huge rise of the price of the dollar.

This scenario caused more poverty and more inflation that punishes the weakest ones, the highest in thirty years. Two and a half years after taking office, there is still no economic plan, no clear positions on the reforms the country needs, and no political commitment to make the call for agreement with the other political forces.

We condemn the deliberate attacks on Argentine institutions, whether they are embodied by figures from the ruling party itself, or by dangerous right-wing expressions, or by important media outlets that respond to the latter.

The Argentines are dejected and submerged in this crisis that crosses all facets of public and private life. In Argentina there is an abandonment of education; a chilling poverty, which reaches half of the population and almost 7 out of 10 children in the suburbs of Buenos Aires; distressing insecurity, fundamentally due to the advance of drug trafficking; historical inflation that has already exceeded 60% year-on-year; a worrying shortage of diesel, necessary for the transport of agricultural production.

There are also structural historical problems that the national government is pronouncing. Argentina suffers from a corrupt judicial system, which is far from the republican value of having justice independent of political and economic interests. It has a markedly weak formal labor sector, in a country with half of its workers in the informal sector, with legal institutes that lack the capacity to look after the interests of workers. There are terrible environmental damages that are consolidated as irreversible, as in the province of Córdoba, where 95% of the native forest has already been lost, or in the coastal region of Paraná, with the burning of wetlands and historical droughts, all of this caused by the lack of state control.

For all the said before, IUSY request the national government to provide responsibility in the face of this dramatic situation. To put forward the interests of the entire Argentine people, and not their own internal ones. We ask to call for a great national agreement, doing what is necessary to give the country a program and a serious, committed, supportive and democratic public life.

IUSY exprime sa préoccupation face à la situation économique, politique et sociale en Argentine.

Version française

L’Union internationale de la jeunesse socialiste (IUSY) exprime sa grande inquiétude face à la situation politique, économique et sociale en Argentine.

 Le gouvernement national, avec une grave irresponsabilité, soumet le peuple argentin aux vicissitudes de son propre internat entre le président Alberto Fernández et sa vice-présidente Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.  La démission du ministre de l’Économie Martin Guzmán est la conséquence la plus évidente et la plus dangereuse de cette lutte, qui a provoqué une augmentation de 308 points du risque pays et une flambée du prix réel du dollar.

 Cela signifie plus de pauvreté et plus d’inflation, qui est la plus élevée depuis trente ans et qui punit toujours les plus faibles.  Deux ans et demi après son arrivée au pouvoir, il n’y a toujours pas de plan économique, pas de positions claires sur les réformes dont le pays a besoin, et pas d’engagement politique pour faire l’appel à l’accord avec les autres forces politiques.

 Nous condamnons, en tant que jeunesse engagée et active, les attaques délibérées contre les institutions argentines, qu’elles s’incarnent dans des personnalités du parti au pouvoir lui-même, ou dans des expressions de droite dangereuses, ou dans d’importants médias qui répondent à ces dernières.

 Le peuple argentin est abattu et submergé par cette crise qui traverse toutes les facettes de la vie publique et privée.  En Argentine, il y a un abandon scolaire manifeste ;  une pauvreté glaçante, qui touche la moitié de la population et près de 7 enfants sur 10 dans la banlieue de Buenos Aires ;  une insécurité affligeante, due essentiellement à la progression du trafic de drogue ;  une inflation historique qui a déjà dépassé 60% en glissement annuel ;  une pénurie inquiétante de gasoil, nécessaire au transport de la production agricole.

 Tout cela s’ajoute aux problèmes structurels que le gouvernement national, loin de renverser, prononce.  Parmi eux, l’Argentine souffre d’un système judiciaire corrompu, loin de la valeur républicaine d’une justice indépendante des intérêts politiques et économiques.  Il a un secteur du travail formel nettement faible, dans un pays avec la moitié de ses travailleurs dans le secteur informel, avec des instituts juridiques qui n’ont pas la capacité de s’occuper des intérêts des travailleurs.  Il y a de terribles dommages environnementaux qui sont consolidés comme irréversibles, comme dans la province de Córdoba, où 95% de la forêt indigène a déjà été perdue, ou dans la région côtière de Paraná, avec l’incendie des zones humides et les sécheresses historiques, toutes causées par l’absence de contrôle étatique.

 Notre appel pointe donc vers le gouvernement national qui doit faire preuve de responsabilité et de bon sens face à cette situation dramatique.  Mettre en avant les intérêts de tout le peuple argentin, et non les leurs.  Appeler à une grande entente nationale, faire le nécessaire pour donner au pays un programme et une vie publique sérieuse, engagée, solidaire et démocratique.

IUSY Statement Roe v. Wade

The US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the nation’s right to abortion is the latest step in a history that began in 1973, with the ruling in the controversial case of Roe v. Wade. Overturning Roe v. Wade will not end abortion, it will only end safe abortions and access to
healthcare for millions of women.

The US is deeply divided both structurally and socially. The SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe v Wade will exacerbate all forms of division, among contributions to the decline of US democratic integrity. Globally, the impact of this decision only validates and empowers threats to reproductive justice everywhere.

The Supreme Court’s decision sends a message that normalizes gender and sexualized inequality, gives free reign to incidents of violence, removes social safety nets for accountability, bodily autonomy, and harm reduction. Furthermore, a constitutionally guaranteed personal liberty is taken away and utterly disregarding the one in four women in the United States who make the decision to end a pregnancy.

Utter chaos lies ahead and will ignite a public health crisis in the US. The most economically vulnerable will also be the most affected.

Economic inequality in the US will drive the remaining access to all reproductive healthcare, not just abortion care. The privatized US healthcare system is already inaccessible to those with economic instability – immigrants, part-time workers, unemployed, houseless, and otherwise
low-income communities.

Travelling across state lines or abroad for an abortion is not affordable for all women. Many will resort, experts predict, to the alternative of abortion pills, which are less safe for patients.

As of the ruling, abortion rights will be determined by the states unless Congress acts.  Nearly half of the states have already passed or will pass laws banning abortion, while others have enacted strict measures to regulate the procedure.

Each of USs 50 internal administrations will be able to prohibit the possibility of intervening during the pregnancy process, or not. Estimates indicate that the map of the United States will most likely be divided in two, between those that enable it and those that will restrict the
incredibly difficult, lifechanging and private decision and right of abortion.

Abortion access is a socialist issue, it is a feminist issue, and it is a systemic racial issue.

This situation shows that women’s rights, as human rights, have been in constant dispute throughout history. This is a setback in the guarantee of the human rights of pregnant women and people, reflects how conservative and right-wing groups are determined to put at risk the life of those who decide to interrupt their pregnancy and their progress in other rights related to women and gender freedoms.

IUSY regrets what happened recently in the United States, which represents a worrying step backwards in rights and means that many women will continue to put their lives at risk by going underground.

We call for respect for the progressiveness of human rights and ensuring every person’s right to make decisions about their body and their lives, as well as access to the full range of reproductive healthcare.

IUSY stands firmly on the side of women and will continue to fight and advocate for expanded healthcare rights for all women and ensure that a right to choose is never taken away.