Preamble

In May 2017, Congress, representing 56 countries spanning 5 continents, solemnly adopted the Andorra Liberal Manifesto, a blueprint for liberalism in the twenty-first century. Congress applauds the concerted efforts of Dr. Juli Minoves-Triquell, President of Liberal International, Professor Dr. Karl-Heinz Paqué,, Chairman of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom and Chairman of the Manifesto Drafting Committee, as well as other members of the liberal federation who vigorously promote the Andorra Liberal Manifesto and the liberal values it contains around the world. Congress is convinced that the Andorra Liberal Manifesto can serve as a guideline for a progressive and prosperous future in the face of the rising threats to freedom:

The Congress is alarmed by the authoritarian, nationalist and populist movements around the world that seek to undermine openness and diversity. Even in the most liberal Western states, populist actors have achieved political success by pitting groups of people against one another and thereby threatening social peace. The United States, previously expected to stand shoulder to shoulder with its transatlantic allies to protect the liberal achievements of the post-war order and multilateralism, find themselves deeply vulnerable to populism and backlash politics.

Congress also expresses grave concern about the increase of economic protectionism and the rising threat of trade wars. Free and fair trade as well as investments across borders are major instruments for the alleviation of poverty and the promotion of peace. Recent protectionist policies, prominently driven by the United States, threaten to overturn these achievements and challenge what Liberals stand for. Congress therefore strongly calls upon all Liberals to continue fighting for free and fair trade underpinned by a strong World Trade Organisation.

Moreover, Congress strongly condemns the growing authoritarian rule, increasing human rights abuses and the deterioration of civil and political rights around the world, especially with regards to the shrinking spaces for freedom of expression and the press, which are crucial for democracy. The 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 2018 makes us painfully aware that human rights cannot be taken for granted. Liberals in many countries are themselves victims of these developments.

Liberal International takes a strong stand against human rights violations worldwide. Congress congratulates the Liberal International Human Rights Committee (LI HRC) and its members for their tremendous efforts to raise awareness of the politically motivated imprisonment of Senator Leila De Lima in the Philippines, the issue of Freedom of Belief and the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights through various campaigns over the course of the last 18 months.

Congress notes the first ever United Nations thematic report on the issue of violence against women in politics and reiterates the commitment made by Liberal International and its member parties to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against politically active women. Congress also takes note of the National Democratic Institute’s 21st Century Parties’ Party Renewal Initiative and commits to promote renewal within its member parties in line with its recently adopted Andorra Manifesto.

Congress commends the LI membership’s growing commitment to the work of the Committee reflected through an increased support for its work and growing network of liberal human rights parliamentarians. Congress invites the Human Rights Committee to continue their efforts to expand its global outreach and to connect human rights actors within LI member parties and cooperating organizations.

Congress notes that climate change is the greatest challenge of our time and will have a profound ecological, economic and social impact. Liberals must therefore become a driving force in addressing climate change. Congress congratulates the LI Climate Justice Committee on its successful constitution at the 200th Executive Committee Meeting in Berlin in June 2018. It applauds the new Committee, headed by LI deputy president Dr. Hakima El Haité, for fostering a liberal voice in the struggle for sustainable growth and climate justice.

In the face of these threats, Liberals must increase their efforts to protect and promote the fundamentals rights and freedoms of all people. Congress therefore appeals to all Liberals to strengthen liberal institutions and the rule of law all over the world. In the light of many technological revolutions with global impact, Liberals are committed to promote sustainable opportunities for every human being and cultivate responsibility and accountability across all borders.

¹ The Resolution offers the positions and policies of Liberal International in areas of the world where the
federation is active, predominantly where it has member parties and partners , and focuses on socio-economic
conditions arising between two Congresses, focusing on democratic standards, respect for Human Rights and
human development.