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Mediterranean Committee

Declaration of the SI Mediterranean Committee

05-06 October 2009

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A SINGLE SHORE
 
Democratic socialist parties of the Mediterranean met as so many times before, to debate within our International.
 
Always from a stance of serenity, commitment to peace, freedom and with respect for Human Rights and equality, socialism promotes responsible political action such as good governance practices, especially in the Mediterranean.
 
We have met in Barcelona, a city which has had a socialist government for over thirty years. Located here are the headquarters of the Union for the Mediterranean, an organisation that brings to fruition the spirit and form of political, economic and social cooperation associated with this city. All the socialist Mayors of Barcelona and their staff have been committed to a Mediterranean that is open, unified and cooperative, and they have prepared their city to be an example of the model we socialists desire for the entire Mediterranean region. Barcelona demonstrates Mediterranean modernity in its best light.
 
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia. Socialists govern the Catalan institutions with the collaboration of other political forces, proving that it is possible to convene, agree and share the leadership of a society, respond collectively to citizens, tackling the ups and downs of government with wisdom and a high-minded vision.
 
The Mediterranean socialists acknowledge the contribution of the PSOE and its leaders in designing and proposing an Alliance among our Civilisations, a highly useful tool to achieve the necessary atmosphere for discussion, respect and recognition among countries with different cultures and beliefs, in the best essence of multilateralism.
 
We Mediterranean socialists are resolved to share our efforts and commitment, before the first quarter of the century is over, to definitely solve some flagrant problems witnessed in our region, first and foremost the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We Mediterranean socialists want road maps that are shorter, not endless, not eternal. Above all we want the road maps to be covered in full so we can reach, at last, the end goal. It was expressed clearly in the United Nations General Assembly: the only solution is the creation of a Palestinian state, on the basis of International Resolutions, that can coexist with the other states in equality. We must thus close one of the longest and most unfortunate chapters of the region’s history. Suffering cannot be extended without end. Definitive solutions must be found. We cannot continue to grow, generation after generation, with the feeling that there are conflicts without a way out: the practice of democratic socialism proves that to the contrary, there is a solution.
 
Thus, with regard to the Western Sahara, the Mediterranean Committee welcomes the results of the first meetings held by the United Nation’s Special Envoy, Christopher Ross, with the parties concerned, hoping that advances will be made in line with the expectations expressed by the Socialist International in previous resolutions.
 
In relation to Cyprus, we welcome and support the dialogue underway between the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, under the auspices of the United Nations in the search for a resolution to that long-standing conflict.
 
On the other hand, in Albania, democracy needs to be reasserted and the demands of the Socialist Party (SPA) in relation to all the violations and irregularities of the June 28th elections need to be recognised. We reaffirm our solidarity with and support for our member party in that country.
 
We Mediterranean socialists in our respective countries, are resolved to democratically combat the acts of extravagance and political corruption that display a lack of respect for public finances, freedom of expression and for basic common sense. We are certain that the best path towards progress and development lies in democratic responsibility, and we will always be committed to transparency and honesty. Citizens deserve respect and consideration from their rulers. Nothing is less democratic than rulers having no sense of the ridiculous, who consider themselves above the people, above democracy and its institutions, and even above the most basic rules of dignity.
 
We Mediterranean socialists share a vision: for this 21st century to witness the birth and consolidation around the Mediterranean of a common space for democracy, sustainable development, opportunity and gender equality, free movement of goods and services, free movement of persons, solidarity, justice, freedom, equality. A common project pursuing better partnerships, good neighbourhood and a higher social integration. Unity dedicated to the service of our peoples’ welfare. In Barcelona we can already see the first implementation of this vision’s blueprint. We want the unity of Mediterranean socialists to contribute to the positive cooperation of our Governments and our Institutions: we wish our Unity to be operational, not just formal.
 
This unity process is an excellent opportunity to overcome the global financial crisis together, which did not originate in our region but has an impact on our economies. Those responsible for the crisis cannot come out unscathed; we cannot allow the recklessness that damaged so many to be repeated. We socialists will pursue political cooperation that extends good practices. And we will firmly defend our stance in favour of social policies, the equality between men and women, the rights of the child, and the fair distribution of wealth: the neoconservative message claiming public policies are responsible for the crisis is untrue.
 
We are resolved to do away with the view that divides our sea and our coexistence into two shores; there is a north and a south but the socialists’ Mediterranean has a single shore, one of justice, equality, freedom, plurality, democracy, and respect. The only shore of peace.
 
From Greece comes a new signal showing that our project is still valid, that it updates its proposals and continues to receive people’s support.
 
Our congratulations to the President of the Socialist International, George Papandreou, president of the PASOK (Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement) and future Prime Minister of Greece for the victory in the elections.
 
We are convinced that the Spanish Presidency of the European Union, in the first semester of 2010, will give the definitive boost to the process of the Union for the Mediterranean. The meetings foreseen under the Spanish presidency, especially the Summit on the Mediterranean Union, must be used by our Governments so that the spirit of Barcelona, already institutionalised, can begin to generate specific actions.
 
Finally, this is an excellent opportunity for this Socialist International Mediterranean Committee to express its thanks to all the multilateral efforts made in favour of concord, of the development and progress from our region and for our region: the missions and programmes of the United Nations and its various agencies, the European Union and its partnership agreements; the Council of Europe, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Arab League, the Islamic Conference, the Maghreb Union, the non-governmental organisations for cooperation and their coordinating platforms. We acknowledge, in sum, the efforts made by our societies, their institutions and organisations, allowing us to face the future with perspective and keeping up our hope and commitment to continue developing progressive policies in the Mediterranean.
 
 
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Press coverage

 

SI in the News

 

                  
 

 

       

 
 

Member parties in government

List of SI member parties in government 

Member Party Congresses

Italy, PSI 
Congress
Rome
29-31 March 2019

 

Chad, UNDR
Congress
Mongo
12-14 April 2019

VENezUELA

Resolutions and Decisions of the XXV SI Congress

Report to the XXV SI Congress

 

Finances of the InternationAl

Budget and accounts

Elections

Slovakia
Presidential elections
16 March 2019

 

Ukraine
Presidential elections
31 March 2019

 

Andorra
Andorran General Council

7 April 2019

 

Israel
Israeli Knesset
9 April 2019

 

Finland
Parliamentary elections
14 April 2019

 

Spain
General elections
28 April 2019

Resolutions and Decisions of the XXIV Congress

 


Report of the Secretary General




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02 JANUARY 2017

The release from prison of Manuel Rosales, leader of Un Nuevo Tiempo, UNT, of Venezuela, an SI member party, has been warmly welcomed by the Socialist International. He was unjustly imprisoned following his arrest in October 2015, returning to the country after six years in exile. While celebrating his release, we vigorously protest against the conditions imposed on his freedom, including the need for him to regularly report to authorities, and forbidding him from leaving the country. The International salutes his courage and strength, and expresses its support and solidarity to his family, friends, and comrades...

IRAN

SI condemns terrorist attack against member party KDP-Iran


21 DECEMBER 2016


The Socialist International firmly condemns the terrorist attack against the party headquarters in Arbil of the SI member Kurdistan Democratic Party, KDP-Iran, which took place on 20 December. The attack was carried out as party members were leaving a memorial ceremony honouring former party leader Abdulrahman Ghassemlou, who was assassinated in Vienna in 1989. Four party members, a member of the youth organisation and a security guard died in the attack and several others were seriously injured. Our International extends its deepest condolences to the families and comrades of those killed. The SI reiterates its strong solidarity with all members of the KDP-Iran at this difficult time.

POLITICAL PRISONERS

Political Prisoners

turkey

SI calls for respect for democracy in Turkey and the release of detained HDP leaders

4 NOVEMBER 2016

The Socialist International firmly deplores the arrest this morning of Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ, Co-Chairs of the People’s Democratic Party (Halkların Demokratik Partisi), HDP, an SI member party, and the detention of 11 other HDP parliamentarians, in a further blow to Turkish democracy following earlier crackdowns and restrictions on the freedoms and rights of the citizens of that country. The HDP is the third largest political party in Turkey and won seats in parliament in June 2015 despite the existing 10% threshold, and again in the elections re-called in November 2015. In May this year, the immunity that MPs usually hold from prosecution was removed from HDP members. Party members have subsequently protested against repeated raids of their homes and offices...

 

veneZuela

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21 OCTOBER 2016

The Socialist International deplores the decision adopted yesterday, Thursday 20 October, by the Electoral National Council (CNE) of Venezuela to postpone until a new judicial order the process of collection of 20% of signatures required to activate a recall referendum on the government of Nicolás Maduro scheduled for 26, 27 and 28 of this month. In its public declaration, the CNE bases its decision on compliance with the Constitution and observance of precautionary measures adopted by the criminal courts of Valencia, San Fernando Apure, Aragua and Bolivar, after accepting complaints for alleged electoral crimes against the political forces which are members of the Mesa de Unidad Democrática (MUD), an alliance which includes member parties of the SI, in the process to activate the recall referendum...

 

SYRIA

Socialist International calls for an immediate end to the ongoing bloodbath in Syria and for united efforts by the international community to end the conflict


14 OCTOBER 2016


As the world continues to witness the tragedy taking place in Syria, the Socialist International calls for renewed concerted efforts by the international community to stop the carnage and human suffering which has intensified following the breakdown last month of the brief ceasefire that lasted less than a week. The Syrian people are hostages to a conflict that transcends their country and whose solution today lies primarily outside their borders. According to United Nations figures, some 13.5 million Syrians are today requiring humanitarian assistance…


COLOMBIA

   

Standing with Colombia for peace

 

Colombia

Standing with Colombia for peace


26 SEPTEMBER 2016


The Socialist International greets the historic signing today in Cartagena of the Peace Accord between the government of Colombia and the FARC, successfully concluding a process which began more than four years ago in Havana. Our International is among those accompanying this significant event, maintaining its commitment and support for peace in Colombia today and for the post-conflict period of disarmament and reconciliation.

BElarus

Parliamentary elections bring no true democracy and no real change in Belarus


13 SEPTEMBER 2016


Despite the election of opposition parliamentarians for the first time in twenty years, legislative elections in Belarus have not delivered true democracy to the people of that country. The Socialist International reiterates its firm support and solidarity to all those in Belarus engaged in the fundamental struggle for democracy and human rights. On 11 September 2016, Belarusian citizens went to the polls for parliamentary elections, the results of which are now known. The new parliament contains two opposition MPs, the first elected since 1996, but remains overwhelmingly dominated by those who support President Alexander Lukashenko....

GamBia

SI denounces the sentencing of opposition leader in The Gambia


22 JULY 2016


The Socialist International firmly denounces and condemns the sentencing of Ousainou Darboe, leader of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) of Gambia, an SI member party, along with 18 other party members and sympathisers, to 3 years imprisonment, having been arbitrarily detained since 16 April 2016 following a peaceful demonstration. The SI utterly deplores this travesty of justice and calls for their immediate release. We equally call on the international community to join forces in denouncing the conduct of the dictatorial regime of Yahya Jammeh and calling for an end to the continuing violation of human rights in that country...

  • ♦ 23 August 2016
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TURKEY

SI condemns coup attempt and supports democracy in Turkey


16 JULY 2016


The Socialist International condemns the attempt by military forces in Turkey last night and in the early hours of this morning, to bring down the legitimately elected government of the country. Our organisation wholeheartedly shares and fully supports the clear and unequivocal statements made by the leaders of the CHP and the HDP, members of our global political family, as the coup attempt unfolds. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, leader of the CHP, said that the country had suffered previous coups and these developments should never be repeated in Turkey, adding that his party fully depends on the free will of the people, indispensable to Turkey’s parliamentary democracy…

venEZUELA

SI denounces ruling against amnesty and reconciliation law in Venezuela


12 April 2016


The Socialist International denounces the grave disregard of the sovereign will of the Venezuelan people and the usurpation of powers by the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) of the country, which yesterday declared as unconstitutional the Amnesty and National Reconciliation Law that had been approved by a majority in the National Assembly on 29 March this year. The resounding electoral victory in the elections to the National Assembly at the beginning of December 2015 was based on a clear proposal...

CIS, Caucasus and Black Sea

SI calls for an immediate end to the confrontation between Azerbaijanis and Armenians


04 APRIL 2016


The Socialist International has followed with great concern the hostilities and attacks that have taken place in the last 48 hours between Armenians and Azerbaijanis with a regrettable loss of numerous lives. Our International calls for an immediate ceasefire and for an end to these hostilities, and at the same time reiterates the urgent need for a resumption of dialogue within the framework of the Minsk Group, a body accepted by both Armenia and Azerbaijan and recognised by the multilateral organisations, to resolve through negotiation and in accordance with the principles of international law...

PAKiSTAN

SI Solidarity with the Pakistani people


28 March 2016


The Socialist International expresses its solidarity with the people of Pakistan as they come to terms with the horrendous terrorist attack carried out yesterday near Lahore. Over 70 people lost their lives as they enjoyed a Sunday afternoon in the park, including numerous women and children, and over 300 were injured. We strongly denounce this violent act, as we have other such terrorist attacks in Pakistan and elsewhere. Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of the deceased and our sympathy is with all those injured and suffering as a result... 


Uganda

In support of democracy in Uganda


22 FEBRUARY 2016


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Socialist International