Europe
Liberal International is concerned over the growing political violence on the European continent aiming at high-ranking democratic political leaders. In only one year period we have been saddened by the murders of Pim Fortuyn, Dutch political party leader, Zoran Djindjic, Prime Minister of Serbia and Anna Lindh, Foreign Minister of Sweden. Regardless of the political orientation, politicians must be able to openly express their opinions and we state again that such criminal attacks on democracy can not be tolerated.
Liberal International welcomes the coming enlargement of the Union with 10 new member states in 2004. Congress calls on the enlarged Union to take its international responsibilities seriously. The European Union should abandon its inward looking attitude, speak with one voice and actively contribute to conflict resolution, democratisation, the respect for human rights and free and fair trade around the globe.
Liberal International welcomes the draft Constitution of the European Union as one of the most important stages in the development of the legal and political system of the Union since the Treaty of Rome in 1957. For Liberals, the installation of the binding Charter of Fundamental Rights is at the heart of the European integration process. The Convention has had a notable success in fostering a good relationship between European and national parliamentarians. This should ensure that the 2004 and successive enlargements of the Union will be founded on strong mutual understanding between old and new member states.
However, Liberals expect member states to work towards a closer union in the field of common foreign and security policy.
Liberal International welcomes the countries joining the EU and their participation in the European Parliamentary elections in 2004. Liberal International also welcomes the enfranchisement of Gibraltar in these elections by their inclusion in the South West Region of the UK, notes that this follows a decision of the European Court of Human Rights and urges the Spanish government to withdraw the legal action started on 21 July 2003 following the enfranchisement.
After the 2004 accession of 10 new member states in the European Union, the Liberals will keep their priority on the advocacy for further enlargement of the Union with the other European countries that fulfil the Copenhagen criteria for membership.
Liberal International is concerned at the suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly, the postponement of the scheduled elections, and the breakdown in trust and confidence in the peace process.
Liberal International urges all parties to renounce all forms of paramilitarism in favour of democracy, and calls upon them to work together to build a shared future based upon respect for all individuals and communities.
Congress notes the recent recognition by the USA and the EU of Batasuna as a terrorist group, and condemns the resurgence of violence, including attacks on democratically elected politicians, and urges a ceasefire and renewal of negotiations to allow a peaceful and democratic solution to the conflict.
Liberal International applauds the efforts of the liberals in the coalition governments in South Eastern Europe on their contribution towards stability and democratic development of their nations and region, as well as for their readiness to create bilateral and multilateral dialogue among each other. The Congress strongly condemns the recent violent actions of the criminal and terrorist groups in Serbia, Kosovo and Macedonia aiming at destabilising the democratically elected governments and institution. LI welcome the signs of a rapprochment between Croatia and Serbia. Congress calls for enhanced measures of support by the European Union and the international community for the reforms of the societies impoverished by the decade long conflicts and lack of direct foreign investment. LI supports the continuing efforts of the EU and NATO to prevent a renewal of ethnic conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia.
Liberal International is concerned that the status quo in Kosovo, in the long run, is unsustainable.
Congress welcomes Turkey’s recent political reforms, including Prime Minister Erdogan’s intentions to establish a new constitution and the reforms approved by the Turkish Parliament to curb the political influence of the armed forces in the country. Nevertheless, much remains to be done to strengthen democracy and improve respect for human rights in Turkey.
Liberal International expresses sympathy with the growing opposition movements in the northern part of Cyprus and supports their efforts to stand united on the upcoming elections against the nationalist President Denktash over the issue of the unification of the island. The victory of the opposition in the Turkish part of the island will be a decisive step towards ending the decades-long conflict in Cyprus. Liberals strongly support the plan of the UN Secretary General for unification of the two parts of the island into a single federal state member of the European Union.
Liberal International condemns the regime of Alexander Lukashenka of Belarus for its continuing campaign of repression and its persistent disregard for human rights. LI is concerned about the democratic deficits; the flaws of the electoral process; the persistence of human rights violations; the virtual absence of a civil society, the fact that the independence of the judiciary is doubtful, local government is underdeveloped and parliament has little power. Congress insists that the Belarusian government stop the persecutions of independent mass media in the best interests of Belarus’ further integration in the wider European family.
Liberal International hopes that the adoption of the Constitution of the Chechen Republic will pave the way for the formation of legitimate bodies of power through democratic and fair elections, restoration of peace, the rule of law and full respect for human rights in the region. In order to enhance this process, LI calls on the Russian authorities to take the necessary measures to ensure that human rights are fully respected in Chechnya, and that all violators of these rights are held accountable. At the same time LI reiterates its call for an end to all terrorist activities in the region.
Congress congratulates Yabloko party leader Grigori Yavlinski on his continued moral stance, alone among Russian party leaders, regarding the assault on human rights in Chechnya. Congress notes with concern the growing influence of the Russian security services in all aspects of Russian politics and even economic life, and the efforts to muzzle media critical of the Putin Government.
The widespread irregularities at various elections in Georgia and Azerbaijan are of great concern. Political life in these countries is marred by violence. Police brutality has resulted in several deaths. The media is under strict government control and freedom of expression is curtailed. The recent events surrounding the position of the President of Azerbijan and his succession are in flagrant breach of the democratic process. The LI calls upon the governments of these countries to give the political opposition the freedom to participate in political life. LI further calls upon the EU, OSCE, NATO and its own member parties to take a greater interest in these countries in order to strengthen the practise of good governance and to resolve outstanding territorial problems.
Liberal International is concerned over the political and economic situation in Moldova, now the poorest nation in Europe, and supports the reintegration of the Transnistria region into the economic and political structures of Moldova. LI calls on the communist government of Moldova to ensure there is fair treatment for all political parties and that it continues its co-operation with the international financial institutions and the European Union.
Congress draws the attention of the international community to the growing corruption and disrespect for human rights and the democratic opposition in the Ukraine and the Central Asian members of the Commonwealth of Independent States. The Council of Europe and the OSCE should be supported in their efforts to strengthen the rule of law in the states mentioned.