Dakar 2018
North America
Canada wants to be a leader when it comes to progressive, open, and rule-based trade and has proved so by approving the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the EU. The trade deal has the potential to set new standards for global trade and boost growth and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. The agreement has been provisionally applied but still needs the approval of the individual EU member states. LI applauds the successful negotiations of the trilateral trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico and Canada (USMCA) as it sends a positive signal for international free trade.
In addition, the Canadian Senate approved Bill C-45, also known as the Cannabis Act, in June of 2018.
For the upcoming elections of 2019, we wish the Canadian population the foresight to support liberal voices and counter the rise of populist forces.
LI has been following some of President Trump’s initiatives with great concern. The plan to build a wall on the border with Mexico, the implementation of a travel ban for citizens from Muslim-majority countries along with the withdrawal of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the halt of negotiations for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) as well as the U.S. administration’s protectionist policies are undermining international free trade and the liberal world
Above that, the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and the nuclear deal with Iran, have also negatively affected international liberal alliances.
LI welcomes the efforts of the European Union and the United States from July of this year to avoid further escalation on the dispute on tariffs.
While LI respects the Unites States’ demand that NATO’s burden sharing and capabilities have to be rebalanced, we are worried by President Trump’s rhetoric, which has the potential to shake up the alliance instead of uniting it. Congress stresses that the political developments in the US must not threaten the liberal world order at any point. As the driving force of globalization and a guarantor of freedom for years, the US has to remain an important ally of the liberal international community. Therefore, LI strongly supports an on-going dialogue with the US.
LI observed midterm elections in the US with great interest as the balance of power in the US Congress and US State Legislatures might shift, leading to new majorities both in Congress and the state legislatures. The results of the election will serve as an important benchmark for US voters’ attitudes towards President Trump’s policies. LI congratulates the Democrats on regaining control of the House of Representatives and the increased numbers of diverse female candidates elected.
Latin America
LI attentively observes the deep changes that Latin America is experiencing at the moment. While left-wing populism is on the defensive, its dangers have not been defeated yet and the general discontent of Latin American citizens with their established political elites has given rise to new populist leaders with nationalist ideas. LI is concerned about the fact that last year`s citizens` movements, which demanded good governance, transparency and an end to corruption, did not give rise to new, strong democratic forces, but produced new populist leaders.
Therefore, LI welcomes the continuous effort of the Liberal Network of Latin America RELIAL to promote individual freedom, rule of law, good governance and market economy in a difficult, changing environment.
LI expresses its great disappointment about the dissolution of Union por la Libertad (UpL) in Argentina and its merger with Propuesta Republicana (PRO). Congress wishes former leader of UpL, Patricia Bullrich, success in her fight against narco-trafficking and in implementing liberal values within PRO. LI expresses its grave concern about the economic situation in Argentina and the enormous devaluation of the Argentinian Peso and the still very high inflation. LI urges the Macri administration to implement the necessary economic reforms immediately, such as reducing the national deficit and the incredibly high and unreasonable subsidies, which it views as the primary reasons for the economic decline of Argentina. LI appeals to all actors in politics, enterprise, civil society as well as the trade unions to cooperate in solving Argentina’s problems instead of increasing them with unrealistic demands.
Liberal International expresses its strong concerns about the recent developments in Brazil after the election of the populist politician, Jair Messiah Bolsonaro, in the 2nd round of the presidential elections. Bolsonaro, a congressman and former Army captain, has announced that he will install a severe law-and-order government and does also speak nostalgically of restoring Brazil’s military dictatorship (1964-1985).
Congress is concerned that the Partido Social Liberal (PSL) calls for a consequent withdrawal of the state from economic life with privatisation in the economy, in education and in the health system and is alarmed that PSL advocates the right to free possession of firearms, in response to the rampant crime in the country. In addition, the security powers for both police and military should be strengthened and they should act with a “hard hand” against drugs and violence. Torture and “legal executions” by the police in anti-drug raids should be re-allowed in the favelas.
Congress deplores that since the restoration of democracy, Brazil, unlike its neighbours, has refrained from holding anyone to account for the human-rights abuses during the military regime. As a result, few Brazilians alive today have much of a memory, or even an opinion about the dictatorship from 1964 to 1985.
Liberal International expresses its concerns about the economy, which continues to deteriorate, the unemployment rate remains very high, and the increasing public expenditure poses a great risk to the national budget. Nepotism and corruption continue to discredit the entire political class.
Congress observes sympathetically the efforts of the NOVO party and liberal individuals in other parties who continuously promote liberal values and principles throughout the country.
Liberal International hopes the authorities of Chile will continue eliminating the existing obstacles to the free development of personality and therefore calls on the Chilean authorities to approve the pending legislation in favour of same-sex marriage and legally acknowledge the right of same-sex couples to adopt children.
Congress welcomes the opening of the debate on pension reforms in Chile, and encourages the Chilean authorities to reach consensus on a pension reform that entitles retirees to a dignified pension through a mixed system, which harmoniously combines social solidarity with individual effort. Congress also stresses the importance of continuing the process of decentralization of the country through the establishment of regional rents that grant regional government’s greater financial and economic autonomy and counteract centralism and the great inequality existing between the different regions.
LI furthermore expresses its concern about the inadequate regulation of water resources in Chile and urges the country´s authorities to reach consensus on a structural reform of the water code, which guarantees human access to water and meets the needs of the country´s communities.
Knowing that climate change is the most important challenge of our time, Congress stresses the importance of advancing environmental care initiatives in Chile and urges for political action to counteract the progress of global warming. Considering that to enable peace security and prosperity in the coming century all economic activity will need to become low or zero emission, LI encourages political action focused on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the transition to the massive use of renewable energies.
Li recognizes a sweeping change in the Mexican political landscape after the presidential elections of 1 July 2018, which gave a clear majority to the new party MORENA and its candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. LI is greatly concerned about the rising violence including political violence and the high level of corruption in the country and calls on the Mexican government to do its best the restore peace, law and order and establish a political framework that allows Mexicans to pursue their individual projects of life freely. LI laments the difficult situation of its member party Nueva Alianza, which needs to recover its organization after a difficult election in July
Congress expresses great concern at witnessing the most serious political, social and humanitarian crisis in, as a result of Daniel Ortega’s repression against peaceful protestors.
Since Ortega became President of Nicaragua in 2007, he has dismantled democratic institutions, limited public rights and has extended his regime through fraudulent elections.
As a result of the repression against student protests, which began on April 18th, Nicaraguans have rallied peacefully by the thousands, demanding Ortega’s resignation and the return of democracy and rule of law. To this date the only answer has been a systematic repression of intolerable brutality, with the use of lethal force by police and paramilitaries, including armed attacks against universities and civilians, extrajudicial executions, people missing, illegal detentions, torture and imprisonment of members of the opposition. To date, repression has resulted in the death of more than 400 people and over 2,000 wounded, as well as hundreds of political prisoners and thousands who have fled in exile, all of which has been confirmed by the Inter-American Human Rights Commission and the United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner.
Liberal International expresses its solidarity with the people of Nicaragua who are bravely defending their cause for freedom, and especially with the members of the Party CIUDADANOS POR LA LIBERTAD, who under the most difficult circumstances continue to promote and defend Nicaraguans values for freedom and democracy,.
Liberal International reaffirms its condemnation of Daniel Ortega’s regime for the continued violation of human rights. We demand the cessation of all forms of repression and compliance with all international commitments concerning human rights; we also call upon the need for an inclusive national dialogue, with good will, to proceed with the implementation of political reforms which are necessary to guarantee Nicaraguans their civil and political rights, especially for prompt, free, and transparent elections.
Congress congratulates Partido Liberal Radical Auténtico (PLRA) in Paraguay for their excellent results in the Congress and Senate elections which prove once more that PLRA is the strongest Liberal Party in Latin America. At the same time, LI is very concerned about the accusations of corruption directed at some members of the executive board of PLRA and strongly urges the party to end its internal struggle. LI calls upon PLRA to clarify all accusations and start the renewal process of the party.
LI is greatly concerned about the humanitarian, economic and political crisis, which the mismanagement of the Maduro dictatorship has brought over Venezuela forcing thousands of Venezuelans to seek refuge in neighbouring countries. LI fully supports the brave stand of VENTE Venezuela and its leader Maria Corina Machado against the Maduro regime.
