Asia
The Congress of Liberal International congratulates CALD on its 10th anniversary, and applauds its role in advancing liberal ideas in Asia.
Liberal International welcomes the decision of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong to withdraw the proposed legislation ‘Article 23’ which posed a threat to civil and political rights in Hong Kong, following democratic protest by the citizens of Hong Kong and salutes the stand for political and civil rights taken by Martin Lee in Hong Kong and Dr Chee Soon Juan in Singapore.
While acknowledging the concerted efforts of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) to fight the threat of terrorism in its regional security forum in June 2003, Liberal International also calls upon ASEAN members and other countries throughout the region to uphold due process and civil liberties, which must be defended, not abandoned, when taking measures to combat terrorism.
Liberal International calls upon its members and the rest of the world to continue investing in Afghanistan’s peace, stability, and its democratic, social and economic development.
Congress deplores the continued use of political violence and intimidation and the unfair treatment of opposition parties in Cambodia’s national election in July 2003 and strongly condemns the recent murder of opposition supporters that seems designed to intimidate and silence political opposition. In urging compromise and negotiation, it urges King Norodom Sihanouk to use his influence to ensure national reconciliation based on the rule of law.
Liberal international welcomes the fact that the World Trade Organization (WTO) memberships for Taiwan and China have to some extent facilitated the economic exchanges on both sides. Liberal International calls for peaceful cross-strait talks based on the spirit of mutual benefit to carry on and, in the same spirit, for Taiwan’s entry into the WHO and other organisations of the United Nations family. The rights of the people of Taiwan to determine their own future by democratic means should be internationally recognised.
Congress looks at the economic growth of China as a positive development for the country and for the entire Asian region; at the same time it demands that progress also be made in the field of democracy and human rights in mainland China, in Hong Kong and especially in Tibet.
Liberal International draws attention to the intensified conflict in Aceh province of Indonesia and calls for peaceful negotiations between Jakarta and the Free Aceh Movement to prevent increasing casualties on both sides.
Congress encourages the Philippine government to enter into dialogue with the people of Mindanao to reach a peaceful resolution of the conflict based on the territorial integrity of the Philippines and local autonomy.
Congress condemns North Korea’s threat of using nuclear weapons to endanger the peace and security of Northeast Asia and the world, and the communist government’s gross violations of human rights. Congress supports the “Peace and Prosperity Policy” of South Korea’s new President Roh Moo Hyun, which engages North Korea by the means of dialogue and interchange.
Congress expresses concern at the collapse of peace talks in Nepal, and the subsequent rise of violence. Congress urges all parties to continue with negotiations to seek and end to the conflict.
Liberal international welcomes the efforts by the US to impel India and Pakistan to search for the peaceful resolution for their dispute over Kashmir. LI applauds the decision of the leaders of India and Pakistan to refrain from using force to settle their disagreement.
Liberal International notes with concern the renewed communal conflict in India, and the influence of Hindu nationalism on government, and in Gujarat in particular which may keep India in a state of conflict for many years.
Congress condemns the arrest and continued detention of Nobel Laureate, Sakharov Prize and LI Prize for Freedom winner Aung San Suu Kyi, and calls for her immediate and unconditional release. Congress calls further for a return to democracy in Burma, recognising the election results of 1990 and the National League for Democracy victory, for an end to the persecution of ethnic minorities, and an end to the continued violations of human rights in Burma.
Congress welcomes the moves towards peace in Sri Lanka and the brokering of the peace talks by Norway, but notes with concern the stalling of the latest round of talks and withdrawal from participation by the Tamil Tiger rebels, and urges all parties to actively continue in seeking to progress and implement a peaceful solution to the civil conflict in Sri Lanka.
Liberal International is saddened over the lack of willingness of the Singapore government to introduce reforms in the political system of the country that would allow freedom of speech and possibility for all democratic forces to freely advocate their policies.