CLIMATE CHANGE
14 December 2015
The Socialist International enthusiastically welcomes the Paris Agreement, approved unanimously by almost 200 countries at the COP21 climate change conference in Paris on Saturday. A universal agreement on this scale is unprecedented, and the end result of more than 20 years of climate talks under the UNFCCC. Its adoption signals a consensus among all countries of the world about the serious and immediate threat posed by climate change, and a recognition that concerted action is required by all countries to address its causes.
The SI welcomes in particular the new commitment to keep temperature rises “well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C”. The agreement also underlines the importance of equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities in the implementation of the agreement, reflecting the diversity of national circumstances.
Negotiations in Paris have succeeded where previous summits have fallen short, and it is important to recognise the hard diplomatic work over many days and nights that has gone into making an agreement happen. The SI warmly congratulates President François Hollande, who created the political conditions for this Conference in Paris to be the defining moment for this crucial Agreement, and applauds the exceptional role played by COP21 president Laurent Fabius, without whose tireless efforts, experience and leadership in the negotiation process, an agreement would not have been possible. We equally recognise the dedication and commitment of Ségolène Royal, an SI vice-president and French Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy.
The agreement is a turning point in the fight against climate change, but will require sustained effort and commitment in its implementation. It equally remains the case that despite the ambition to work towards limiting global temperature rises to 1.5°C, the pledges made by countries to date through their INDCs (Intended Nationally Determined Contributions) are insufficient to even reach the higher target of a 2°C rise. In this regard, the newly agreed review mechanism, whereby a global stocktake will take place every five years from 2023, is of vital importance. This five-yearly review must be used not only to monitor the progress made towards existing targets, but also to increase ambition and bring about progressively tighter emissions reductions.
Equally important is the commitment to mobilise climate finance of USD 100 billion per annum up to 2025. The Agreement echoes the view of the SI that developed countries should bear the most responsibility for climate finance, taking into account the needs and priorities of developing countries. We welcome the commitment to set a new collective quantified goal prior to 2025 from a floor of USD 100 billion, which will take into account the needs of developing countries at that time.
The SI now calls on all countries, having signed the accord, to enshrine their obligations under the Paris Agreement in their national legislation as a further sign of their commitment to honouring each and every one of the promises made at COP21. Doing so will further strengthen this historic agreement and make it more binding.
The SI has long been actively engaged in the search for a global response to climate change, both through the work of its Commission for a Sustainable World Society and with the inclusion of the issue on the agenda of its Council and Congress meetings, most recently in Luanda in November. SI member parties in government have been encouraged to work together for an outcome with the social democratic principle of climate justice at its heart, the importance of which was recognised in the Paris Agreement. The SI was present at the COP21 through its President and its Secretary General, and an informal exchange of views took place with ministers, heads of delegation and other political representatives attending the COP21 from parties belonging to the Socialist International where these principles were reaffirmed.
If nations continue to show the political will that was needed to reach an agreement in Paris, the SI believes that this will mark the end of the age of fossil fuels and a definitive step towards a zero-carbon future. The world is now on a clear pathway to a greener, fairer and more sustainable planet and the SI and its member parties will continue to be at the forefront of efforts to deliver the promises made in Paris in their entirety.
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venezuela
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.
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
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
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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- ♦ 23 August 2016
- With great sorrow the SI has learned of the death while in jail of Ebrima Solo Kurumah, UDP party member, the second such case in five months. The SI calls for an urgent full investigation into the circumstances of this tragic death. The Socialist International remains extremely concerned about the lives of all those protestors incarcerated as we have now seen two political prisoners of this group who have lost their lives in the last few months.
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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04 APRIL 2016
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PAKiSTAN
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
22 FEBRUARY 2016
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