humanrights

Resolution of IUSY African Committee Leadership Conference 13-14 September 2019

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The IUSY African Committee Leadership met from 13-14 September, 2019, at Gaborone, in Botswana. The conference was held under the theme Youth Opportunities in Africa & How We Can Guarantee Decent Work for Youth was officially opened by Ms. Motsei RAPELANA, BCP Chairperson and UDC Executive member and the conference was chaired by Benedicta LASI (IUSY Vice President).

During the two days, delegates from IUSY organisation members discussed:

  1. The correlation between Youth Unemployment and the rising Crime rate in parts of the continent. Participants have identified unemployment as the main causes of the high rate of crime. Furthermore, they identified among others, corruption, poor quality and lack of education, lack of materials and infrastructure as causes of youth unemployment.
  2. Participants also asserted that Corruption is the main cause of unemployment in Africa, and corollary poverty and inequality. Faced with all ills, participants have identified the continent underutilised opportunities and youth who makes around 60% of the continent’s population as a force capable to bring solutions and change the trend. Among the continent’s opportunities identified are the transformation of natural resources and development of tourism and agriculture. Along with these opportunities, they also stated the need to consider the fourth industrial revolution and knowledge economy as emerging ideas that required attention of African governments. Participants, also, stressed on the need for youth political participation. They urged youth to lead from all positions – academia, business, politics, etc.
  3. Participants reflected on decent work for youth. Each organisation highlighted some challenges and has proposed solutions being short, medium and long-term to identified challenges. For:
  • Botswana Congress Party (BCP): Slow economy growth, lack of infrastructure, resource-led economy and corruption are main challenges to decent work.
    The party has proposed investment into and modernisation of infrastructure such as roads and railway lines; implementation of labour intensive and public programmes and; robust development of SMEs and of informal sector as solutions to decent work challenges.

  • National Democratic Congress – NDC (Ghana): High rates of corruption and nepotism within the current government has stalled equitable economic development within the country. This has caused high rates of unemployment and the quality of work has also been impacted negatively. The party advocated for an aggressive fight against corruption and the advancement of progressive policies that will guarantee development not just for the rich but for the indigent.
  • People’s Democratic Party – PDP (Zimbabwe): Autocratic regime and corruption have been identified as challenges to decent work for youth. As regards to solutions to these challenges, the party recommended democratisation of the country, Zimbabwe, and the creation of Anti-corruption Commission.
  • SWAPO Party (Namibia): Highlighted resource-led economy as the main challenge and they recommended industrialisation and development of agriculture.
  • SWAYOCO (Swaziland): Corruption and nepotism have been identified as challenges to decent work for youth. Democratisation of Swaziland is seen as the solution for decent work by the party.
  • UDPS (Democratic Republic of Congo): Corruption, outdated education system and poor education quality and mineral resources-led economy are challenges to decent work for youth.The party has proposed as part of the solutions;
    Concerning Corruption: Payment of good salary to public employees; Asset Declaration Bill; and the Creation of an independent Anti-corruption Directorate. As regards to Education; Review of educational curriculum according to economic needs; Improvement of teachers’ living conditions. Economic diversification with development of labour intensive sector such as agriculture and tourism; Creation of youth funds; Entrepreneurship promotion and Crowd funding have also been identified as solutions to decent work.
  • UJSARIO: Current Moroccan occupation, the plunder of natural resources by Morocco and the Status of refugee imposed to Western Saharan people are main challenges to decent work for youth.
    As solution, the party has requested the support and advocacy to the campaign about the plunder of Western Sahara’s natural resources with the slogan STOP THE PLUNDER.
  1. As regards the AU policy on enhancing youth employment, H.E. Malainin Mohamed MOH-FADEL, Ambassador of Western Sahara in Botswana, said unemployment is not the problem that the continent is facing, it is rather the symptom of the many problems that are lack of adequate infrastructure, corruption and poor quality of education lacking innovation.

Many policies, programmes and strategies have been developed by AU since 2007 but however, none of them has been implemented.

He has further stressed the necessity for youth to educate themselves about AU policies and strategies such as, for instance, the TVET Continental Strategy and Youth Decade Plan of Action that focus on 5 key priorities areas namely: Educational and Skills Development; Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship; Governance, Peace and Security; Youth Health and Sexual Reproductive Health Rights and lastly; Agriculture, Climate Change and the Environment.

Concerning the contribution of socialist movements, His Excellency, has pledged among others to Left parties to go back to the socialist principles, raise awareness among young people regarding the AU’s policies since they are very socialistic. He also urged young people to political engagement.

  1. IUSY AFC organisation members raised concerns about funding challenges for political activities of youth wings of political parties on the continent. They also recommended, as strategy to raise political interest among youth as well as strengthening governance, the engagement of young persons, under 18 as they form the foundation of the next generation of leaders and it was imperative to preparing them for leadership and as change agents for their community as done by SWAPO Party Youth league – SWAPO Party Pioneers Movement.
  2. The IUSY AFC requested organisation members to set up 6 working groups namely:
    1. Economy and Trade Working Group
    2. Education Working Group
    3. Politics, Rule of Law and Governance Working Group
    4. International Relations and Partnerships Working Group
    5. Youth Empowerment Working Group; and
    6. Women Empowerment Working Group

Organisation members are requested to report on activities of these working groups or Networks and communicate to IUSY AFC leadership names of their representatives. The deadline for this is set for 31st October 2019.

  1. The IUSY AFC inform member organisations about the Decent work for Youth Campaign and requested them to engage in the campaign by providing pictures, videos and statement where party’s logo and that of IUSY should be shown. The campaign would be held in October 2019.
  2. The IUSY AFC condemn the arrest of Mr. Gift Ostalos SIZIBA, Secretary General of MDC Alliance of Zimbabwe, on 12th September 2019 at the Zimbabwean airport who was on his way to attend this Africa Committee meeting in Gaborone. We call for the case instituted against him by the Government be dropped and his passport handed over to him. The AFC considers this an onslaught on democracy and fundamental Human Rights and condemns it in no uncertain terms.

DECENT WORK FOR YOUTH 

Gaborone, Botswana, 14th September 2019

No to Extradition Law! IUSY supports the Hong Kong protests for democracy and human rights

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 The International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) is in solidarity with the people of Hong Kong in their struggle for their civil and political rights after weeks of protest, calling for the full withdrawal of the Extradition Bill.

Civic groups critical of the bill warn that Hong Kong citizens will be subjected to mainland China’s courts despite a special autonomous status that is effective until 2047. Hong Kong citizens fear that safeguards placed in the law won’t shield people especially political activists and critics of Beijing from being extradited to China, especially political activists and critics of Beijing. There have been reported cases of abduction disappearances of people critical to the mainland government before, increasing the fear and tension felt by citizens over the proposed bill.

IUSY condemns the police brutality against the protesters. We express alarm over documented cases of abuse: the irresponsible use of tear gas in confined spaces, the serious injury to protesters with indiscriminate firing of rubber bullets, and dangerous tactics against members of the media covering the marches. We also condemn the presence of armed thugs in public stations that have attacked protesters and passengers in July. The police officers were unable to intervene in the violence, adding to the list of failure of the Hong Kong government to protect its citizens.

IUSY condemns the detention of protesters in peaceful demonstrations. It is alarming that peaceful protesters, mostly young people, are charged with cases of rioting which could subject them to 10 years of imprisonment. IUSY believes that the Hong Kong government should heed the demands of the protesters to put an end to several weeks of marches instead of filing political charges to the activists.

IUSY invokes all sides of conflict to avert violence and create a frame for equal negotiations with focus on the democratic interests of the Hong Kong people in order to come to a peaceful solution. Hong Kong is still an autonomous region from China. There is no other way than dialogue to settle the tensions without further damages.

IUSY supports the demands of the Hong Kong citizens:

1. Complete withdrawal of the extradition bill;

2. Withdraw the ‘riot’ characterisation of the June 12th protests;

3. Unconditional release of all arrested protesters;

4. Establish an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the police’s use of force in handling anti-bill protests;

5. The right to direct elections for the Hong Kong people.

Photo taken from Wikimedia commons

El gobierno de Nicaragua debe reconsiderar su postura y reanudar el diálogo en el marco de la inclusión y respeto de los DDHH 

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[ES]
Los nicaragüenses  aspiran libertad, restablecimiento de la democracia y justicia.
Después de meses de negociaciones, el gobierno de Ortega, aún mantiene más de cien presos políticos, represiones y persecuciones  todos los días a los disidentes de este régimen, mientras muchos se encuentran en el exilio y las familias de más de 300 asesinados demandan justicia. El gobierno ha incumplido los compromisos que ha firmado, burlándose del pueblo y de la comunidad internacional.
Recientemente, el régimen anunció la cancelación de la mesa de negociaciones con la Alianza Cívica, cerrando las puertas a una salida dialogada a la  crisis que vive el país.
Desde la Unión Internacional de Juventudes Socialistas (IUSY por sus siglas en inglés) reiteramos nuestro llamado al cese de violaciones de Derechos Humanos, a la liberación urgente de todos los presos políticos, al cese de las persecuciones contra los disidentes y líderes de la oposición, al igual que insistimos en nuestro llamado a que debe abrirse una negociación que permita una salida pacífica al conflicto que hoy viven en Nicaragua.
[EN]
The Nicaraguan government must reconsider its position and return to the dialogue respecting Human Rights.
Nicaraguans are fighting and waiting for freedom, democracy and justice.
After months of negotiations, Ortega´s government still maintains more than one hundred political prisoners, repressions and persecutions every day, while many families are exile and there are more of 300 murdered demand justice. The government has breached the commitments it has signed, mocking of people and the international community.
Recently, Ortega´s government announced the end of the negotiating with the Civic Alliance, closing doors to a dialogue exit to the crisis in Nicaragua.
From IUSY we call out for the cessation of Human Rights violations, the urgent release of all political prisoners, the end of persecutions against opposition leaders, as well as a call to open a negotiation that allows a peaceful exit to the conflict of Nicaragua.

IUSY exige justicia con el caso del joven venezolano Rufo Chacón Parada

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Spanish

IUSY exige justicia con el caso del joven venezolano Rufo Chacón Parada

La Unión Internacional de Juventudes Socialistas, (IUSY por sus siglas en inglés),exige a los organismos competentes se haga justicia con el caso del joven Rufo Antonio Chacón Parada, de 16 años de edad, quien perdió la vista luego de que funcionarios policiales le dispararon 52 perdigones en la cara cuando se encontraba en medio de una protesta por gas doméstico en Táriba, estado Táchira.

Rechazamos, que estas acciones contra el derecho a la protesta en Venezuela sigan ocasionando daños a jóvenes y familias, donde las necesidades que hoy enfrentan los venezolanos no pueden pretender taparlas con represiones al margen de

English

IUSY demands justice in the case of young Venezuelan Rufo Chacón Parada

The International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) is demanding justice for Rufo Antonio Chacón Parada, 16 years old, who lost his sight after police officers shot 52 buckshot in his face while he was in the middle of a domestic gas protest in Táriba, Táchira state.

We reject the fact that these actions against the right to protest in Venezuela continue to cause harm to young people and families, where the needs faced by Venezuelans today cannot be covered up with repression outside the law.

French

L’IUSY demande justice dans l’affaire du jeune vénézuélien Rufo Chacón Parada

L’Union internationale de la jeunesse socialiste (IUSY) demande justice pour Rufo Antonio Chacón Parada, 16 ans, qui a perdu la vue après que des policiers lui aient tiré 52 balles dans le visage alors qu’il se trouvait au beau milieu d’une manifestation domestique de gaz à Táriba, dans l’Etat de Táchira.

Nous rejetons le fait que ces actions contre le droit de manifester au Venezuela continuent de causer du tort aux jeunes et aux familles, où les besoins auxquels les Vénézuéliens sont confrontés aujourd’hui ne peuvent être couverts par une répression illégale.

Call for Registrations: Global Seminar 2019 3-6 October 2019

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Overview

What:             IUSY Global Seminar

When:            3-6 October 2019

Where:           Stockholm, Sweden

 

Overview of the event

The Olof Palme International Centre’s Global Project finances the IUSY Global Seminar. The IUSY Global Seminar 2019 will gather together IUSY member organisations and representatives from the districts of the Swedish Social Democratic Youth League (SSU). New to this year is that the second day will be spent having a joint programme together with IFLRY, The International Federation of Liberal Youth. The aim of the seminar will be to provide to the Member Organisations and to the SSU representatives a platform to discuss and come up with ideas on how we can battle shrinking civil society space and support civil society organisations and activists across the globe. A secondary aim is also to strengthen collaboration with IFLRY on topics that we agree on. The seminar will be an opportunity for us to learn and reflect upon new ideas and partnerships in our work for a fairer and more equal world.

Theme

A cornerstone of a democratic society is an empowered and independent civil society. Civil society organiations (CSOs) are the voice of the people and ensure that decision-makers make policies that respond to the needs of its citizens. In the last couple of years civil society has been under attack. CIVICUS has documented that civil society space is attacked in 111 countries and that only four per cent of the world’s population live in countries where our fundamental civil society freedoms such as freedom of association, peaceful assembly and expression are respected. The shrinking space has presented itself as restrictive legislation, restricted access to funding for CSOs, and attacks such as threats, violence and murders have been committed to human rights defenders and civil society representatives and organisations. The Global Seminar will tackle the topic of shrinking civil society space and the role of political youth organisations. Together we will learn more about the attacks on civil society but also discuss what our roles are as political youth organisations in a more democratic world by ensuring that we have a free and independent civil society.

For more information about the state of civil society during 2018 read CIVICUS 2019 report.

For any questions or remarks please don’t hesitate to contact the IUSY Secretariat at iusy@iusy.org, put Global Seminar 2019 in the subject line.

With best regards,

Johanna Ortega                                                Ana Pirtskhalava

IUSY President                                            IUSY Secretary General

Participation Profile & Selection Process

Each member organisation may register up to one participant for the meeting.
The selection criteria will be based on
1. The questions listed in the application form

  1. Gender Balance (both IUSY statutes and the global project require gender balance)
  2. Regional Balance

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

It’s preferable that participants have an interest in working with civil society and has knowledge about the threats against civil society today as well as previous experience working with liberal youth.

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. Or copy paste it to your browser: https://forms.gle/tLWevqnbTkXqbsA26

Please note that a thought out answer to the questions are required as it is part of the selection process.

The deadline for application is 05 of August.

Participation fee

The participation fee for the event is 50€ per person and must be paid with bank transfer by Wednesday 15th September 2019.

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.

Payment should be via bank transfer to IUSYs account.

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. Only economy tickets will be reimbursed. Please note that as this event is open to all IUSY’s regions the amount of Travel Reimbursement available to the different organisations will become available after the selection process has finished.

Cancellations

Each organisation whose participant withdraws after the 25th of September without a valid reason will be charged the participation fee.

Contacts

Amanda Lilliefeldt

Amanda.lilliefeldt@iusy.org or

iusy@iusy.org / +4369913532970

IUSY Asia Pacific bares plans for 2019, passes resolutions on democracy and human rights

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Asia Pacific member organizations of the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) approved their annual activity plan and resolutions on democracy and human rights during their committee meeting in December last year.

IUSY members in the region passed the following resolutions unanimously:

  • A resolution on the minorities, marginalized and displaced peoples in Asia

  • A resolution resolve the Bhutanese refugee situation in Nepal

  • A resolution calling for the liberation of Tibet

  • A resolution supporting people’s call for democratic elections in Thailand

  • A resolution calling for justice for Nirmala Pant, a young woman murdered and raped in Nepal

The member organizations also identified key skills and knowledge for future training designs including management and leadership, public speaking, campaigning, organizing, networking, international law and other topics.

IUSY-APC will also have human rights campaigns with special focus on regional concerns such as climate change, ending gender inequality and violence against women, and curbing corruption.

The plans include expansion of members to youth organizations in SAARC, student groups in the Philippines, political parties in the SEA region, and women’s organizations in Nepal.

Participating organizations include Akbayan Youth in the Philippines, Nepal Students Union and Nepal Tarun Dal, Youth for a New Society in Burma, Young Progressives for Social Democracy in Thailand, Tibetan Youth Congress, Youth Organization of Bhutan, and Pergerakan Indonesia.