Dakar 2018
Liberal International congratulates the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) on the occasion of its 25th anniversary, noting its unwavering commitment to the promotion of liberalism and democracy despite the difficult conditions arising in several countries of the region.
LI commends the Afghan people for exercising as best they could under very difficult circumstances their democratic right to elect a new parliament on 20 October 2018 after 3 years of delay. Democratic processes can never be perfect in a fragile state such as Afghanistan with a significant insurgency, which did not permit a third of polling stations to open. LI expresses the strong desire that Afghan members of parliament listen to and act in the best interest of their constituents to make a meaningful contribution towards peace and sustainable development of their country.
Liberal International expresses profound concern by the transformation of Cambodia into a one-party dictatorship. LI condemns the recent Cambodian general elections, which took place without the participation of the main opposition party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), as a sham political exercise which is not an effective expression of the democratic will of the people. Cambodia today is an authoritarian state with an illegitimate government that contravenes the Cambodian Constitution and the 1991 Paris Peace Accords. As such, the mandate of the new National Assembly members and government representatives in international fora should not be recognised. The recent actions of the regime that include appointment of representatives of minor irrelevant parties to the cabinet, the release of select political prisoners, and the release on bail and transfer to house arrest of Kem Sokha, are nothing but feeble attempts to attain legitimacy.
LI renews its call on the regime to immediately drop all charges against Kem Sokha and rulings against opposition politicians, including Sam Rainsy. Congress calls for democracy to be restored in Cambodia by reinstating the CNRP, returning the mandates of the elected CNRP officials, and recovering the political rights of the 118 CNRP officials banned from politics. LI believes that the signatory parties of the Paris Peace Accords should act with a view to immediately implement the Article 5 of the Accords. Congress welcomes the resolutions adopted by the US Congress and the European Parliament, as well as the recently announced procedure by the European Commission to launch a suspension procedure of Cambodia’s preferential Everything But Arms (EBA) trade agreement, and urges the international community to swiftly introduce resolute targeted sanctions and economic measures, including freezing of assets, against the dictatorship in Phom Penh until democracy has been fully restored. LI calls on the member parties to join an international campaign for release of political prisoners and restoration of liberal democracy in Cambodia.
Congress expresses alarm at China‘s continuing military build-up in the South China Sea, including the construction of bases on disputed atolls. It also expresses concern at China’s increasing pressure on Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, international bodies and global companies to strictly adhere to the Mainland’s interpretation of One-China policy. LI is also concerned about the continuing detention of Muslim Uighurs in the region of Xinjiang, as well as on China’s use of the so-called, “debt-trap diplomacy” in its relations with developing countries.
Three decades of opening and reform in China are worth celebrating. However, the current attempts of leading figures within the Chinese Communist Party to roll back reform in authoritarian way for example by introducing the new algorithm based social credit system. Abandoning open societal progress, attacking private entrepreneurship, threatening economic welfare and the rule of law, are truly worrying.
Congress expresses alarm at China‘s continuing military build-up in the South China Sea, including the construction of bases on disputed atolls, its interference in Taiwan and bullying neighboring countries. LI is also concerned by the continuing detention of Muslim Uighurs in the region of Xinjiang and we call upon the Chinese government to secure the human rights of every minority within its jurisdiction and enable the peacefully conducted freedom of religion and belief for its citizens. Congress is increasingly alarmed by China’s use of the so-called, “debt-trap diplomacy” in its relations with developing countries
LI encourages China to further reform its trade and investment regime towards more openness to international competition and ensure the independence of its judiciary.
LI regrets that the Chinese Communist Party (CPP) continues its policy of suppressing the freedoms of, and of denying genuine democracy to, the people of Hong Kong, in breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration. It also expresses concern that the recent report of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the CPP indicates China’s intent to exercise greater control over Hong Kong in the coming years. LI views the increasing pressure on, and court cases against, members of the democratic movement as a manifestation of the Mainland’s tightening grip.
Recent attempts to silence dissenting voices with intimidation, trials and retrials in Hong Kong with frequent top-down interference by communist party cadres put a question mark behind the sustainability of the rule of law and the “one country, two systems” conduct promised to Hong Kong citizens. LI will continue to monitor the situation closely and address the issue on a regular basis with member organizations and international partners.
Congress commends recent liberal supreme court rulings on LGBT rights and the right to privacy and encourages the government of India to continue walking this path, in the hope that this will pave the way for greater recognition of minority rights, including those of persecuted religious minorities, in the country. Simultaneously, LI urges the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, to speak out strongly against religiously motivated intolerance and violence.
Congress expresses concern on the rise of religious tension and discrimination of minority groups in Indonesia, as seen most clearly in the recent coordinated terror attacks in Surabaya. It furthermore is concerned about the misuse of the blasphemy law, i.e. a noise complaint resulting in a blasphemy charge. It supports Indonesian President Joko Widodo in his commitment to promoting tolerant and inclusive Islam in the world’s biggest Muslim democracy. LI also commends President Joko Widodo`s statement that trade wars must not become infinity wars. LI encourages that the 2019 Presidential Elections would further see the building of a democratic, mature and positive politics in a hugely diverse country.
Congress congratulates North and South Korea for their recent peace efforts, which includes the three North-South leadership summits, and hopes that these would strengthen inter-Korean ties, reduce military tensions, and pave the way for lasting peace in the Korean peninsula.
LI strongly encourages North and South Korea to step forward on the way to denuclearization and sustainable peace on the Korean peninsula. As nobody could imagine in 2017 that opportunities to develop good ties would appear that fast, both countries shall now determinedly proceed on their way to reconciliation.
LI welcomes the first change of government in Malaysia in the historic 14th General Election (GE14), as it marks the country’s continuing evolution to democratic maturity. It hopes that the new government will be able to deliver on its promised institutional reforms and policy breakthroughs, and for it to begin healing political divisions and elevating political discourse. It urges to continue repealing the draconian laws implemented during the reign of the former government. LI also wishes that an effective political opposition will be constituted soon, as democracy only works when checks-and-balances are in place and viable political alternatives are present. It lauds the media freedom and equal opportunity of political parties in Malaysia, furthermore KEADILAN`s decision to empower and include youth and women for ensuring the sustainability of change and for the greater benefit of the nation.
LI congratulates Anwar Ibrahim, president of LI member KEADILAN, for winning a by-election in October.
LI reiterates its concern at the lack of accountability and transparency among Mongolia’s high-ranking government officials, as well as these officials’ persistent use of populist policies and money politics. LI views these as inimical to the country’s democracy and its already struggling economy.
LI condemns the grave human rights violations committed by the Myanmar security forces and others in the Rohingya conflict as well as in other ongoing conflicts in Myanmar, as documented by several reports including the UN’s Human Rights Council’s recent report. The repatriation agreement for those who fled from the violence in Rakhine state has been the first step in working towards a safe return. The Government of Myanmar is encouraged to follow suit with the next steps and take up the international offers of support for the benefit of all individuals affected. Although it is difficult to hold those responsible accountable, the silence of the Government and the State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi serves the perpetrators and hinders Myanmar’s transition to a just and democratic society. LI is concerned about the declining status of freedom of expression, which also poses a serious threat to the Myanmar democratization process. The conviction of the two Reuters journalists, Kyaw Soe Oe and Thet Oo Maung, has shown that a review of laws that facilitate the attacks on freedom of expressions is urgently required. We welcome the Myanmar Government’s focus on rule of law reform and encourage it to further intensify its efforts.
With regard to recent New York Times reports, Liberal International strongly deplores that, for years, the Myanmar government allegedly misused Facebook systematically and by false user accounts in order to circulate fake news on the Rohingya minority and incite the general public on the Muslim community which caused, in particular, grave atrocity against Rohingyas. Liberal International also urges Facebook to take serious and effective action to preventing those appalling instigations via its social network.
The repatriation agreement for those who fled from the violence in Rakhine state has been the first step in working towards a safe return. The Government of Myanmar is encouraged to follow suit with the next steps and take up the international offers of support for the benefit of all individuals affected. LI is concerned about the declining status of freedom of expression which also poses a serious threat to the Myanmar democratization process. The conviction of the two Reuters journalists, Kyaw Soe Oe and Thet Oo Maung, has shown that a review of laws that facilitate the attacks on freedom of expressions is urgently required. We welcome the Myanmar Government’s focus on rule of law reform and encourage it to further intensify its efforts.
LI congratulates the people of Pakistan to yet another successful election and a peaceful transfer of power and urges the military to commit to building a stable democracy. Liberal International calls for justice for Asia Bibi who had been convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to death by hanging in 2010.
We welcome the recent acquittal of Ms Bibi by the Supreme Court and call on concerned governments to provide asylum to Ms Bibi and her immediate family in a country of their choice.
Liberal International appeals to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to facilitate Ms Bibi’s departure and to introduce legal reforms to end discrimination against religious minorities.
LI is concerned that the new PTI-led government is pandering to religious conservatives for populist reasons. LI urges the government to return to a more liberal agenda as it successfully demonstrated in the regional government of KPK over the last five years.
Congress expresses alarm on the continuing persecution of the political opposition in the Philippines under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte and condemns attempts to silence the political opposition as evidenced by the continued detention of the vocal critic and LI Prize for Freedom awardee, Senator Leila de Lima, of the Liberal Party (LP) of the Philippines. It expresses concern that this pattern of silencing the political opposition will continue, or even worsen, as the Philippines prepares for midterm elections next year, noting the recent removal of the Chief Justice on legal technicalities and the pressure exerted on independent media. Liberal International reiterates its call to release detained Philippine senator, Leila de Lima, and to drop the fictitious charges against her. LI also restates its condemnation of the continuing extra-judicial killings that accompany the government’s “war on drugs”, and calls on the Philippine government to bring those responsible to justice. LI expresses concern at the recent decision made by the Philippine government to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), as this could be an attempt to evade accountability for ongoing extra-judicial killings and urges the international community to remain vigilant on this case in order to protect and free the people who continue to fight for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
LI regrets that fundamental freedoms are still being denied to the Singaporean people as the ruling elite continues to monopolize political power. LI recognises the efforts of democrats in the city-state to persevere in their struggle for an open, free and democratic Singapore. The latest attempt to undermine the freedom of expression by the ruling party in Singapore is the looming threat to control the Internet under the guise of tackling “fake news”. There are already stringent laws to control the media and the social media is the only alternative on which democratic voices can reach out to the public. Control of the new media will restrict free speech in Singapore even more.
LI recognizes the leading role Taiwan plays in the advancement of democracy and liberalism in the Asian region. LI therefore expresses concern on the continuing pressure it faces in light of China’s rising global influence. Liberal International supports the government of President Tsai, Ing-Wen in her efforts to uphold democracy and freedom, domestically and abroad, amidst immense pressure from China. The recent local elections results indicated that the government of President Tsai is faced with increasing threats of economic and political influence and meddling from an authoritarian institution. LI believes that President Tsai will remain vigilant in preserving liberal democracy while enhancing effective and efficient communication with the citizens. LI also urges for the government of President Tsai to continue advocating protective measures that include improving media literacy in Taiwan.
Liberal International welcomes Thailand’s military government’s announcement that elections will be held in February 2019, especially after repeated postponements. LI expresses concern, however, that the ban on political activities is only partially lifted. It therefore calls on the Thai government to fully allow political parties to operate freely so they can adequately prepare and meaningfully participate in the electoral process.
LI encourages the holding of free and fair elections in Thailand. This requires the Thai Government to restore a climate of freedom of expression and to refrain from intimidations of dissenting political voices.
LI recognizes that while the conduct of free, fair and honest elections is an important first step in the restoration of democracy in Thailand, the country still has to grapple with a constitution that allows the military to exercise significant political influence even after the elections.
After many years of harsh dictatorship, Uzbekistan is now opening to the world. President Mirziyoyev has presented an ambitious development plan, which if implemented, will make Uzbekistan an open and democratic society. Also political prisoners have been released. While applauding these efforts, Liberal International are concerned that independent political parties are not yet allowed to register in Uzbekistan. Without discussion and debates between independent democratic parties, there will be no sustainable development. Liberal International demands that opposition parties, such as Birlik and Erk, should be recognized by the Uzbek authorities and allowed to present candidates in coming elections.
Civil society in Uzbekistan is severely weakened after many years of extreme repression, and there are still many limits to the freedoms of association and assembly. In order for Uzbekistan to develop positively, both in economic and human terms, we are convinced that there is a need for an active involvement of the independent Civil Society. Therefore focus in the reform work must be to implement civil and political rights alongside with economic reforms.
