Burma
13 November 2015
The Socialist International warmly congratulates Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy, NLD, on their historic victory following general elections held in Myanmar on 8 November. The results of these elections, in which close to 30 million people were eligible to vote, already show that with 80% of the contested seats now declared, the NLD have more than the two thirds needed to choose the President and put an end to more than 50 years of military rule.
These elections, despite the role and influence of the military, has been seen as the first openly contested poll in Myanmar in twenty five years, when the NLD won by a large majority in national elections in 1990 but Aung San Suu Kyi was prevented from taking office by the military and spent several long periods under house arrest, which only ended in 2010.
In the parliament, a quarter of the seats are automatically held by the military, in accordance with the existing constitution, which also does not allow San Suu Kyi to become President because it bars those who have foreign spouses or off-spring to assume that function. Nevertheless, Aung San Suu Kyi has declared that she will lead the government, as the leader of the winning party.
The Socialist International welcomes the statements made by both Myanmar’s current president and army chief to the effect that the government would respect the poll results and we hope that they will respond positively to the call made by San Suu Kyi to them and to the speaker of the lower house, to hold joint talks “to implement the people’s will in a peaceful manner”, once the final results are declared on 22 November.
Throughout the last twenty five years, the Socialist International has stood firm alongside the National League for Democracy and its leader Aung San Suu Kyi in their struggle for democracy in the country, and the NLD has been represented in many SI activities over the years.
In the time ahead, the Socialist International will continue to attentively follow developments in Myanmar, supporting all efforts towards the full implementation of democracy, as expressed by the great majority of the population.
___________________
Conference on social democracy in Kathmandu with Aung San Suu Kyi, Prime Minister of Nepal, Sushil Koirala, from the SI member party Nepali Congress; the Chair of the SI Asia-Pacific Committee, Sher Bahadeur Deuba, and the SI Secretary General, Luis Ayala.
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venezuela
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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.
gambia
02 DECEMBER 2016
POLITICAL PRISONERS
Political Prisoners
turkey
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
21 OCTOBER 2016
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SYRIA
14 OCTOBER 2016
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COLOMBIA
Standing with Colombia for peace
Colombia
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
13 SEPTEMBER 2016
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GamBia
22 JULY 2016
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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
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...
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PAKiSTAN
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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
22 FEBRUARY 2016
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