Rotterdam 2014
LI recognises the important contribution that the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) and its member parties made throughout the mandate of the current European Parliament and European Commission. Congress welcomes the unity that the European liberals demonstrated ahead of the upcoming European elections
Liberal International calls on the European Union and its member countries to address more effectively the situation of unemployment, especially of younger people, in countries hit by the debt crises.
LI states there is an urgent need for humanitarian protection, not least for the Syrian refugees. The EU needs to take a greater responsibility to provide protection to the Syrian refugees and to assist neighbouring countries that are not able to cope with the pressure. LI calls for more legal and safe ways to enter the EU for refugees, as an alternative to irregular entry and the risks linked to human trafficking.
Liberal International repeats its concern for the persisting record of human rights violations taking place in Belarus and expresses new concerns regarding a planned martial law bill adding mass disorder orchestrated by foreign states, extremist and separatist movements, and movements working against Belarus’ independence and sovereignty to the list of military threats. LI reiterates its call for the release of all political prisoners and for free and fair elections.
Liberal International welcomes the commitment of the Government of Bulgaria, with liberal participation, that has taken to overcome the economic and institutional crises and above all to re-establish the rule of law against populist and nationalist rhetoric. However, Liberal International is concerned, and will continue to monitor closely the continuing public protests against the Cabinet. The way society and political elites respond is a test of maturity for Bulgarian democracy. The Congress encourages Bulgaria to sign and ratify the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.
Liberal International expresses concern over the lack of real dialogue between the Government of Catalonia and the Government of Spain to discuss a negotiated roadmap over the future of Catalonia. Liberal International will support any decision taken by the Catalan people on their future. The democratic model set by the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of Scotland, where an agreement was reached between the two governments to hold a referendum to decide the political future of the Scottish people, should be used as a positive example in the discussions between the Government of Spain and the Government of Catalonia. Nevertheless, any potential or future discussions between the two governments should never imply the renunciation of the right of the Catalan people to decide their own future, granting that this is always set up through democratic means. The European Union has to be flexible and strong to offer a viable alternative for those people that want to democratically express themselves within it.
LI acknowledges the economic progress and stability that Germany has achieved in a very adverse regional economic environment during the participation of liberals in the government. Liberal International is concerned about the new government’s plans to increase labour costs and reduce the flexibility of labour markets. The new government should develop without further delay a comprehensive strategy to protect its citizens from serious infringement on their right to privacy by electronic surveillance. Germany must find a most positive way of dealing with immigration and actively address its demographic problems.
Liberal International reiterates that the future of Gibraltar must be freely and democratically decided by the people of Gibraltar. LI welcomes that Member Party, Liberal Party of Gibraltar, is a part of the National Government. Liberal International urges the Government of Spain to return to the Trilateral Forum for Dialogue and calls for an end to the current campaign of coercion and economic sanctions against Gibraltar.
The financial crisis in Greece continues to be a concern for the future development of the country and the region. Liberal International calls for a resolute action by the state authorities and the democratic forces against the rising influence of extremist and xenophobic movements in Greek politics, by pushing true structural reforms of the country’s economy, tax system and public services. Unity of various liberal, centrist and reformist parties is needed to apply more political pressure on the ruling elites.
Liberal International expresses solidarity with its member party Yabloko, whose leaders and members are subject to daily intimidation, harassment and prosecution by the Russian authorities across the country, in many cases ending with unfair trials and political imprisonment. Liberal International notes incessant reprisals in Russia against opposition activists and all the dissenters against the backdrop on suppression of the freedom of speech, use of the law enforcement and the judiciary as a tool for reprisals; persecution against key YABLOKO and civil activists in Krasnodar – Suren Gazoryan who had to emigrate, Evgeny Vitishko sentenced to three years of imprisonment for his criticism of the Governor, Prof. Mikhail Savva arrested on a faked up case; Maxim Petlin, head of YABLOKO’s branch in Yekaterinburg, imprisoned for three years; uninvestigated blatant murders of Russian journalists Anna Politkovskaya, YABLOKO’s MP and journalist Yury Schekochikhin, YABLOKO’s journalist and head of regional branch in Kalmykia Larissa Yudina, human rights activists Natalya Estemirova, YABLOKO’s head the Dagestan branch Farid Babayev. Liberal International applauds the suspension of voting rights of the Russian Federation in the Parliamentary Assembly in the Council of Europe. Congress calls on the Russian authorities to release the political prisoners, reform and democratise its institutions, organise free and fair elections. The Russian authorities must fully respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of its neighbours.
Recalling that the right over one’s own body is absolute, Congress expresses its concern about the worldwide trend to curb women’s legal right to safe access to abortion. Liberal International deplores in particular the recent repeal of legislation in the Kingdom of Spain where abortion as a fundamental right of women is being rescinded and effectively re-penalised. Congress recalls Resolution 1608 of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe for the right to access to safe and legal abortion in Europe that was adopted in 2008 and calls on the ALDE groups in the EP and the Council of Europe to work to guarantee the right to safe access to abortion effective in all EU member states. LI also calls on all UN Member States to officially adopt the recommendations on abortion, of Note A/66/254, presented by the UN Secretary-General in August 2011. Congress appeals to liberals everywhere to protect the rights of women to be in control of their own bodies, and enshrine this right in further legislation.
Liberal International recognises the rising democratic civic awareness in Turkey. However, LI is deeply concerned by the disproportionate and excessive use of force by government institutions in response to peaceful and legitimate protests. Liberal International deplores the high number of jailed journalists, and is alarmed by the most recent law to censor access to internet i.e. free media. Congress welcomes the positive and courageous steps taken by Turkish PM Erdogan to address the Kurdish and Armenian issues and calls on the Turkish government to cease all attempts aimed at curtailing the freedom of speech through social media, which run against the obligations of Turkey as a Council of Europe member state. LI calls on the Turkish government to focus on the process of democratisation by strengthening democratic institutions, rule of law, freedom of expression and impartial fight against corruption. Separation of powers in Turkey, as elsewhere, is key to democratic development.
LI considers that the actions of the Russian Federation, in particular the military occupation of Ukrainian territory and the threat of military force, the recognition of the results of the illegal so-called referendum and subsequent annexation of Crimea into the Russian Federation constitute a grave violation of international law, including of the UN Charter and the OSCE Helsinki Final Act. LI notes that these actions are also in clear contradiction of the statute of the Council of Europe and the Budapest memorandum signed between Russia, the US and the UK, and Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan in 1994. LI takes notes that these actions undermine the trust in other international instruments, in particular the agreements on disarmament and non-proliferation. LI recognizes the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and calls on the Russian government to refrain from any threat and use of military force. LI takes note that a prosperous and democratic neighbours would be to Russia’s advantage and not to its disadvantage and that the evolution of a mature relationship between Ukraine and Russia as sovereign states are undoubtedly be good for both, Russia and Ukraine. LI recognizes the right of Ukrainian citizens to decide on the future of their nation, including signature of international treaties and agreements. LI states that if Ukraine decides in favor of a European perspective, LI would welcome such a decision. LI calls on the international community to support Ukrainian efforts for a democratic transformation and economic modernization. LI calls on the European Union to commit to lifting visa restrictions on Ukrainian citizens.
