Issue 166

 

LI President for strong international support for Iranian protesters

During the latest round of demonstrations in Iran and their violent suppression by regime forces, Liberal International's President Hans van Baalen MEP expressed strong support for the Iranian demonstrators, and strongly condemned the unacceptable violence the Iranian regime is using to suppress its people. Van Baalen said that the Iranian people have “the right to judge their leaders” and that the regime should be aware that the world is watching the situation in Iran closely. He stressed the support of Liberal International for freedom and democracy in Iran and called for world leaders to speak out on the violence against the demonstrators. Van Baalen said: “Democracy is the best guarantee against an aggressive Iran with nuclear weapons. The Iranian people are showing their desire for a free and democratic Iran, and against the regime led by President Ahmadinejad and Supreme Leader Khamenei. I urge President Obama, Catherine Ashton, Russia and China to support them in their struggle and denounce the violence against innocent protesters”. Van Baalen also wrote an editorial for Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad which can be read here. The full LI statement can be found here.

 

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LI Deputy President launches book on the Economic Crisis

A new book by Juli Minoves, Deputy President of LI, has hit the bookstores this past holiday season. “Economia Global”, a volume in Spanish tackling the world economic crisis, composed by Juli Minoves of LI, Prof. Rocafort Nicolau of the University of Barcelona and Dean José Daniel Barquero of ESERP business school, is being marketed mainly in the Spanish and Latin American markets. In the book Deputy President Minoves elaborates on the liberal perspective of the world economic crisis, on the basis of his recent paper presented at the Vancouver LI Executive Committee and recalled by our Cairo Congress. The other authors expand the study with a focus on business oriented and societal responses to the crisis. The book, published by Furtwagen editions, has a preface by Dr. Casajuana, President of the Royal Academy of Doctors, and will be formally presented in Barcelona at the end of this month.

 

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DPP looks forward after recent electoral successes

Following the electoral success of winning three recent by-elections, the LI full member Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan has its sights set on four by-elections slated for 27 February. DPP spokesperson Tsai Chi-Chang credited the recent electoral wins to voters recognizing the importance of a strong opposition to better “supervise the administration of an incompetent but arrogant government”. In the eastern county of Hualien, LI Vice President on the Bureau Bi-Khim Hsiao will defend the colours of the DPP. Hsiao, a former two term legislator, is an extremely attractive candidate given her high level of recognition in Taiwan. Recently the DPP has remained fervent in its support of democratic activism in China. In response to the recent sentencing of Chinese democracy advocate Liu Xiaobo to 11 years in prison, the DPP stated: “We believe that democracy, freedom and human rights are universal values that the government cannot infringe on… We make an appeal to China to respect the fundamental rights of its citizens and immediately release Liu”

 

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Nicaraguan Democratic Caucus rejects Ortega’s “coup d’état”

The Nicaraguan Democratic Caucus (BDN) — a liberal parliamentary group composed of MPs from the Movement “Vamos con Eduardo” and Partido Liberal Independiente, strongly rejected yet another dubious presidential decree by Daniel Ortega prolonging the mandate of the magistrates. According to the Nicaraguan liberals, the decree is unconstitutional and a flagrant breach of their country's legal system. They also called for the removal of President Ortega from office, and for all elected officials to step down when at the end of their constitutional mandate. Furthermore, they objected to the economic policy of Ortega, which leaves Nicaragua with a massive tax burden that increasingly damages the country's economy and has further aggravated the living conditions of Nicaraguans, a majority of whom live below the poverty line. The struggle between liberal forces in Nicaragua and their extreme left-wing President has continued after Liberal International President Hans van Baalen MEP succeeded in uniting Nicaraguan liberals through the Pact of Managua last November. The attitude of Daniel Ortega was also condemned by the European Parliament in a special resolution proposed by the ALDE Group (see here).

 

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UK LibDems set out ambitious plan for Britain’s future

With the British general elections not far away, Nick Clegg, leader of LI full member the Liberal Democrats this week released a set of ambitious priorities that will be at the heart of the party's electoral manifesto and the upcoming campaign. As a top priority for the electoral campaign, the LibDems have decided that fair taxes, a fair start for every child, fair and clean politics, and a fair, green economy with jobs that last will play a central role. Mr. Clegg was enthusiastic about his party's plan for the future of the United Kingdom: “I believe it is possible to both balance the books and transform British society - but only if you are guided by strong values in taking the tough choices which now must be made. People will support us because we are realistic about the difficulties ahead, but guided by optimism and clear convictions about the way forward”. British general elections will take place on or before 3 June 2010.

 

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Canadian Liberals vocal against second suspension of Parliament

Michael Ignatieff, leader of the Liberal Party of Canada (LPC) and 2009 Isaiah Berlin Lecturer, has condemned the actions of Conservative Canadian Prime Minister who has suspended parliament for the second time in just over a year. “The Government's behaviour speaks to a deep cynicism.  Mr. Harper is gambling that the public doesn't care how it is governed,” said Ignatieff. By shutting down Parliament, the current legislative agenda comes to an end and with it all current legislation. The shutting down of parliament also effectively curtails an investigation into alleged abuses of Afghan prisoners who were transferred from Canadian troops to Afghan authorities. The LPC has launched a series of ads (http://www.liberal.ca/en/newsroom/liberal-tv), accusing the Conservative government of a cover-up. “Every newspaper in Canada reported that the key factor in Mr. Harper's decision was the barrage of criticism and tough questions his government has faced in Parliament over its handling — and apparent cover up — of the Afghan detainee torture issue.  Questions about the government's truthfulness and its care of Canada's reputation overseas.  Questions that go to the very heart of the government's respect for democratic institutions and the rule of law,” said Mr. Ignatieff. Following the actions of the Conservative government, several Canadian polls have the Conservatives and Liberals at a virtual tie.

 

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Alternative for Russia proposed by YABLOKO Congress

After the dubious recent regional elections in Russia, LI Full Member YABLOKO presented a democratic alternative to the Russian people during its congress. Party leader Sergei Mitrokhin said he wanted to concentrate on the important upcoming elections to the State Duma, with a focus on state control over elections at all levels. He called for the launch of a broad-scale discussion in society which should lead to the formation of a new democratic project for Russia. Grigory Yavlinsky, one of the party's founders, presented a report on the political situation in the country and the tasks of the party, and expressed YABLOKO's democratic alternative for the Russian political system: “The first goals are the introduction of freedom of speech, development of local self-governing, civil and human rights organisations, and trade unions. It is necessary to move towards abolishing of censorship, return to direct elections, gradual and complete refusal from interference of the state into the parties' affairs, change of election laws and freedom in party financing”.

 

 

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LI Secretariat welcomes new short-term colleague

In preparation for the upcoming full slate of Liberal International events in 2010, the LI secretariat welcomes Amanda Sundell to the office. Amanda, who holds a Masters Degree in Comparitive Politics (Conflict Studies) from the London School of Economics, joins the LI team through the extremely sucessful internship programme offered by the Swedish Cultural Foundation. Amanda has previous NGO experience as well as experience working with LI full member the Swedish People's Party of Finland. According to Amanda: “Having recently completed a Master's Degree in Conflict Studies in London, I am really looking forward to putting my knowledge into practical use and immersing myself in the activities of the LI. With so many interesting events scheduled for the spring, I am sure my time at the office will be both exciting and challenging.”

 

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