Issue 114

 

RELIAL condemns fraud in the Nicaraguan elections

The international liberal response to the fraudulent local elections in Nicaragua continues. LI cooperating organisation RELIAL condemned the electoral rigging. “The elections reflect the present authoritarian government in Nicaragua and are yet another sad example of the Sandinista policy. RELIAL supports the candidate for mayor in Managua, Eduardo Montealegre, and recognises his strength and courage in an untiring fight for liberty and a state based on law.' RELIAL  has demanded  a vote recount or new local elections to be held shortly. In an interview, Peter Röhlinger, Vice President of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty (FNF) said: “On the basis of the information that I have, I can say that there was indeed an electoral fraud, not spontaneous, but planned several months ahead of the elections… [Ortega] does not respect democracy, the popular will, and has transformed into a tyrant”. In an editorial published in  Nicaragua's La Prensa, LI President Lord Alderdice stressed: “Nicaraguans want and deserve democracy; free elections are a basic precondition of that. The isolationist policy of President Ortega's government will prove dangerous for Nicaraguans and the region.”

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ALDE against China’s Communist bullying-tactics

The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) has expressed worries over the decision of the Chinese government to call off the EU-China Summit. Graham Watson, ALDE Leader said: 'The People's Republic of China risks remaining on the wrong side of history. Communist bullying-tactics of this kind will not work in Europe. The world hoped that the Beijing Olympics and China's growing economic maturity would be accompanied by a growing political maturity. And the growth is clearly slower than we hoped.” Marco Cappato, MEP (Radicail Italiani) condemned China's lack of willingness to engage in real dialogue. “Rather than restricting itself to an outdated vision of international relations, China would be well-advised to concede that democracy, the rule of law and Human Rights - including minority rights - are universal values. It should realise that the European Union will never abandon those values', he concluded. China cancelled the summit due to the meeting between the President of the European Council, Nicolas Sarkozy and the Dalai Lama, scheduled for 6 December.

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NAL members from Maghreb discuss liberalism in Marrakech

Members of LI cooperating organisation, the Network of Arab Liberals (NAL) from Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria were joined by liberals from Mauretania for a conference in Marrakech, Morocco last weekend called “A liberal vision for the Maghreb”. Hosted by LI Full Member party from Morocco l'Union Constitutionelle and supported by LI cooperating partner, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty, the conference consisted of two days of in-depth debate on the role of liberalism in the Maghreb. The topics discussed ranged from the relationship between religion and state to the global financial crisis. Chaired by Mohammed Tamaldou, Director of l'Union Constitutionelle and NAL President, the event was attended by Mohand Laenser, former Vice-President on the LI Bureau and leader of LI Full Member Mouvement Populaire as well as Mondher Thabet, secretary general of LI full member Parti Social Liberal from Tunisia. On behalf of the Liberal International, political advisor Jochem de Groot attended the conference.

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Anti-government protest escalates in Thailand

Demonstrators from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) occupied Bangkok's international airport last Tuesday (25 November) in a “final push” to remove Prime Minister Somchai, who returned to Thailand on Wednesday from the APEC summit in Peru. Protestors occupied the main terminal causing cancellations of all flights schedule for Wednesday. The leader of the opposition Democrat Party (an LI Observer-member) Abhisit Vejjajiva spoke on the situation condemning the violence and PAD's move to take over the airport. “Thailand and its people have become hostages…This situation must end as soon as possible before more damages are inflicted.” Mr Abhisit also offered to mediate between the two sides. “What the Prime Minister should do upon landing in Thailand is to negotiate with PAD and I'm ready to be there without conditions.” On Wednesday,  the country's army Chief, General Anupong called for a snap election and urged the protesters to withdraw from the airport . He stated that a military coup is not the solution to the problem. At time of publication, Thailand's government has announced that it will declare a state of emergency at Bangkok's two main airports.

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Icelandic liberals demand vote of non-confidence

Amid sharp claims that the Icelandic government has not done enough to avert the financial crisis and stop attempts to control Icelandic financial institutions, Valgerdur Sverrisdóttir, the newly elected  Chairwoman  of LI Full member the Progressive Party of Iceland, has censured the administration's lack of unity and clear purpose. “While the nation is facing difficult circumstances…members of the government and the ruling parties are mainly channelling their energy into fighting among themselves. That is one of the reasons for us not trusting them to continue in power…Now there is just a question whether those in parliament who have been talking about the need for early elections meant it, especially ministers among the Social Democrats”, she stated. Iceland's banking sector collapsed under the weight of billions of dollars of debts and the currency crumpled in early October. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recently approved Iceland's request for a loan. The IMF will contribute USD 2.1 billion (EUR 1.7 billion) alongside EU and Nordic loans.

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INLW on the International Day for the elimination of violence against women

Following the celebration of the International Day for the Elimination of violence against women on 25 November, the President of LI full member the International Network of Liberal Women (INLW), Joaquima Alemany Roca has expressed concerns over the yet constant acts of violence against women. “Women around the world in poor countries as well as in healthier nations are victims of physical attacks, violence and murder. The principal reason behind violence against women lies historically in the unequal relations of power between man and women and in the persistent discrimination against women as a whole. The violence is used as a weapon in wars in Haiti, Rwanda, Bosnia and Congo.” Speaking on the occasion, Mrs Roca has called on the liberal community to work together to ensure violence against women can be eliminated for once and for all. “INLW urge all liberal parties and organizations, Liberal International members, governments and society to legislate and put forward a plan of action to eradicate this social stigma and then establish a free society.” The United Nations estimate that between five hundred thousand and 2 million people, including women and children are currently victims of prostitution, forced labour, slavery and female genital mutilation. 

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Humanitarian crisis at its worst in Zimbabwe

The humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe has reached desperate levels and nearly half of the country's population require food assistance. A recent outbreak of cholera is further worsening the situation. In order to discuss the future of democracy in Zimbabwe and how Europeans can assist Africans, Liberal International and ALDE are co-hosting a conference on 4 December in the European Parliament. The leader of the Parliamentary Group of the MDC, Moses Mzila Ndlovu is coming from Zimbabwe to participate in the conference as someone who has direct experience in dealing with the situation. Also attending the conference are MEPs specialised on Africa such as the cofounder of ALDEPAC, Johan van Hecke MEP. The health, sanitation and education systems in Zimbabwe are on the brink of collapse and school attendance has fallen from 90% to 20%. Several experts will be speaking about the complexity of the problems, including Patricia Keefer, who will be presenting a video on the abuses against teachers in the aftermath of the March elections. More information about the event can be found here.

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LI 181st Executive Committee Meeting in Thailand goes ahead

Liberal International is closely monitoring the events in Bangkok as they unfold and truly hope that the government can find an immediate solution to the crisis putting an end to the constant protests. Through daily contact with our colleagues of the Democrat Party, the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty's Bangkok office, the conference co-organisers, regular updates are being received in the LI Secretariat. The local partners have assured the secretariat that the 181st Executive Committee meeting in Bangkok (from 12-14 December 2008) and all events, including the Thai/Burma-border fact-finding mission, the CALD Conference and LI Executive Committee meeting are set to continue as planned. Should the situation deteriorate and change, LI will immediately inform all concerned. LI would also like to remind all that the deadline for the submittion of amendments for the resolution expires tomorrow (28 November).

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