EUROPEAN COMMITTEE STATEMENT

We live in a time where the class society is getting bigger with each passing day. The time before the pandemic was already severe for young and marginalized groups in Europe. The effects have therefore also hit these groups hardest, not least those who were already economically oppressed.It is a heavy reality and the hope for a future and the possibility of a good life is incredibly low. It is a failure for which politics must take responsibility. Europe must be a place for young and marginalized groups to be able to grow and free themselves from inequality. But for this to be possible, class divisions and injustices must be stopped. This can only happen with a progressive policy where solidarity and equality are given priority. That is why we want to see an EU that takes responsibility for the aftermath caused by the pandemic, but also for the challenges that already existed before the pandemic. 

IUSY wants to see an EU that really prioritizes young people. Social injustice is a major problem for young people. In several EU countries, there are tax laws that cause division and economic inequality. That kind of tax system needs to be stopped. Flat tax is unacceptable as it provides great benefits to already rich people while those who are poor have to bear the great cost to society.

Young people in the labor market are all too often exploited by rogue employers. this is not least noticeable among industries in the gig economy. The pay gap between men and women is also a major problem and must disappear. Regardless of who you are, you should be entitled to the same salary for the same work. Anything else is unacceptable.

Mental illness among young people is a major public health problem in the EU. The numbers of suicides have increased in connection with the pandemic. It’s a problem. As a young person, you should have the right to care for your mental illness. It should not be your wallet that decides if you can get help. That is why the EU must work for policies that prioritize the well-being of young people.

Conditions for parental leave must also be equal. Today, unfortunately, the reality for young parents is not equal. In some EU countries, women are discriminated against by the system. They are forced into parental leave through rules on compulsory maternity leave. This creates a backlog for the woman which means that she is forced into a financial dependence on the man. not least, her opportunity for a good pension is affected. Parental leave must be equal and possible for both parents to take.

The housing situation is perhaps the industry where class society is most evident. The possibility of a good home for a young person is very low. The prices for rent are far too high and the efforts to buy are only for rich people. We want to see the EU create opportunities for banks to lend money to young people with favorable interest rates and low fees. You should not be forced to live just to survive. The social democratic idea is that the individual should be freed from oppression, therefore it is important that the interests of young people are prioritized in the housing market in Europe.

Statement on Ukraine

The IUSY European Committee once again condemns Russia’s unprovoked invasion and war in Ukraine. We strongly condemn Putin’s violations against human rights as well as international and territorial integrity. We note with bitterness that, in particular, the west’s appeasement policies and impunity towards Russia in the previous years paved the way for these aggressions.

This war is not only against the Ukrainian people but also an attack on the law based international system. It is an attack on our core values of freedom and democracy.The bombing of civilians and non-military infrastructure is terror against the Ukrainian people. Helpless civilians are exposed to human rights violations by brutal acts like in Bucha, Mariupol, Borodyanka and other cities. The international community is responsible for the protection against any violence of human lives and refugees such as human trafficking. 

In times of multiple crisis in the world and in Europe, the social justice, security and safety in the EU and its neighborhood is endangered. Its is therefore vital that young perspectives are heard and discussed. We as the young generation in Europe cannot let Putins and other autocrats  tyrannize our generation. We cannot let the feeling of hopelessness and economical dependencies to form our way of course of action. Each and every human being live needs to be ensured in dignity, freedom and peace.

It is now all the more crucial that Europe and the European Union defines a path for a common and binding security policy, which recognizes the needs of all states in the region. This includes nuclear-weapon  disarmament. For an all-encompassing security policy, a sustainable new green energy in the neighborhood and less energy dependency must be strengthened.

European Union and its partners  need to prove and defend its common values in order to guarantee young and future generations a peaceful and just Europe. Today it is also all the more important to strengthen the European neighborhood.

The IUSY European Committee therefore demands direct support for the Ukraine, more resources for  humanitarian aid and further econonomical sanctions on Russia such as:

• Full boycott of oil/gas from Russia and pulling out all investments from Russian companies
• European wide coordinated, state led system for a fair refugee distribution in cooperation with UN and UNHCR
• Set up of social/health system registration
• Set up of system for human trafficking prevention 
• decisive action against russian propaganda and european wide education in and on social networks
• immediate banning of Russia from international sports.

As socialists and social democrats from all of Europe we are particularly committed to the future of young Ukrainians. We therefore demand to provide them all necessary  means in order to help building a future and perspective, especially with regard to creating opportunities for recognition and of complementation of degrees by Ukrainian pupils and students. Furthermore, every state should be committed to provide options for fast track complementary courses if necessary.

Peace is only possible through a real and honest dialogue. The IUSY European Committee therefore calls on the European Union and Commission to push forward to further negotiations and above all an immediate ceasefire and real humanitarian corridors to prevent further innocent civilians from death. We ask both forces to be committed to peace and demand justice to strike on the war-criminals at the human-rights court in Den-Haag.  

Therefore, and according to the outputs of the European Committee that gathered in Genova, Italy, dozens of young socialist leaders of Europe, IUSY commits, according to its possibilities, to:

• Promote a special campaign to advocate for a single european hotline to help Ukrainian refugees fleeing from Ukraine;
• Visit Ukraine with comrades of member organisation SMS;
• Further develop the work on the post-covid mental illnesses impact on youth.