Democracy and Class Struggle will be back on 7th January 2014.
Happy Christmas and Happy New Year to our readers from Wales.
Sunday, December 22, 2013
The NSA is Coming to Town - Over one million hits on You Tube - lets make it millions more and the 2013 Christmas Song
Democracy and Class Struggle will be back on 7th January 2014.
Happy Christmas and Happy New Year to our readers from Wales.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Lenin, the leader of the working class revolution in Russia, heard about the Christmas truce. He pointed out that if there were organizations prepared to fight for such a policy among the soldiers of all the belligerent nations, there might have been a quick end to the world war in favor of the working masses.
Lenin wrote, “Try to imagine Hyndman, Guesde, Vandervelde, Plekhanov, Kautsky and the rest [leaders of so-called socialist parties that supported the world war] – instead of aiding the bourgeoisie (something they are now engaged in – forming an international committee to agitate for fraternization and attempts to establish friendly relations between the socialists of the belligerent countries, both in the trenches and among the troops in general. What would the results be several months from now?”
The truce began on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1914, when German troops began decorating the area around their trenches in the region of Ypres, Belgium, for Christmas. They began by placing candles on trees, then continued the celebration by singing Christmas carols, most notably Stille Nacht (Silent Night). The British troops in the trenches across from them responded by singing English carols.
The two sides continued by shouting Christmas greetings to each other. Soon thereafter, there were calls for visits across the "No Man's Land" where small gifts were exchanged — whisky, jam, cigars, chocolate, and the like. The artillery in the region fell silent that night. The truce also allowed a breathing spell where recently-fallen soldiers could be brought back behind their lines by burial parties. Proper burials took place as soldiers from both sides mourned the dead together and paid their respects. At one funeral in No Man's Land, soldiers from both sides gathered and read a passage from the 23rd Psalm: The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the path of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.
The truce spread to other areas of the lines, and there are many stories of football matches between the opposing forces. The film Joyeux Noël suggests that letters sent home from both British and German soldiers related that the score was 3-2 in favour of the Germans.
The truce began on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1914, when German troops began decorating the area around their trenches in the region of Ypres, Belgium, for Christmas. They began by placing candles on trees, then continued the celebration by singing Christmas carols, most notably Stille Nacht (Silent Night). The British troops in the trenches across from them responded by singing English carols.
The two sides continued by shouting Christmas greetings to each other. Soon thereafter, there were calls for visits across the "No Man's Land" where small gifts were exchanged — whisky, jam, cigars, chocolate, and the like. The artillery in the region fell silent that night. The truce also allowed a breathing spell where recently-fallen soldiers could be brought back behind their lines by burial parties. Proper burials took place as soldiers from both sides mourned the dead together and paid their respects. At one funeral in No Man's Land, soldiers from both sides gathered and read a passage from the 23rd Psalm: The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the path of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.
The truce spread to other areas of the lines, and there are many stories of football matches between the opposing forces. The film Joyeux Noël suggests that letters sent home from both British and German soldiers related that the score was 3-2 in favour of the Germans.
The Internationale : Salute to the 45 years of the Communist Party of the Philippines from Democracy and Class Struggle
IN WELSH FROM DEMOCRACY AND CLASS STRUGGLE
SEE ALSO: http://democracyandclasstruggle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/philippines-revolutionary-groups-take.html
India 'Nannygate': Racism or the rule of law?
As relations between India and the US hit a new low, we look at the row over the arrest of diplomat Devyani Khobragade. Inside Story presenter Divya Gopalan is joined by guests: Lalit Mansingh, a former Indian foreign secretary and ambassador to the US; Jo Becker, the advocacy director for Human Rights Watch; and Atul Singh, the founder and editor-in-chief of the global news analysis site Fair Observer.
For the Democracy and Class Struggle view see :
See http://democracyandclasstruggle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/khobragades-arrest-labour-law-violation.html
Friday, December 20, 2013
Philippines : Revolutionary groups take to streets to mark CPP's 45th year
Democracy and Class Struggle salutes the Communist Party of the Philippines on its 45th anniversary.
Long Live the Communist Party of the Philippines !
Time to overthrow the capitalist comprador elite and Benigno S. Aquino the running dogs of US Imperialism in the Philippines.
Long Live the National Democratic Revolution with a Socialist Perspective.
Long Live the Communist Party of the Philippines.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Questions for Greenwald - Questions for Edward Snowden - Glenn Greenwald, NSA Documents & Checkbook Journalism
Sibel Edmonds has written an Open Letter to Edward Snowden asking him if he knows or approves of what Glen Greenwald is doing. We take the view that there are questions that need answering by Glen Greenwald about his new media venture and the questions raised by Sibel Edmonds in her letter to Edward Snowden are not offensive but legitimate questions..
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Philippines: Kerry visit heightens tensions to justify increased US presence, weapons buildup -- CPP
The US$40-million dollar funding from the US is likely to supplement the expansion of the Oyster Bay naval facility of the Philippine Navy in Palawan, in order to accommodate the biggest US aircraft carriers in its docks.
CPP Information Bureau
19 December 2013
Kerry visit heightens tensions to justify increased US presence, weapons buildup -- CPP
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today denounced the visit of US Secretary of State John Kerry to the Philippines, saying his statements and actions contribute to overall US efforts to heighten political and diplomatic tensions in the Asia-Pacific region in order to justify the further deployment of US rotational forces in the region. Kerry arrived for a two-day visit on 17 December.
“The heavy-handed presence of US armed troops, warships, drones and jetfighters in the region make the peaceful resolution of territorial conflicts, particularly in the South China Sea, more and more difficult,” said the CPP.
The CPP denounced the allocation of US$40 million by the US government under the Global Security Contingency Fund (GSCF) to supposedly strengthen the sea defense capabilities of the Philippines against China.
“US State Secretary John Kerry pretends to be altruistic and big-hearted in granting the Philippines the US$40-million GSCF funding when, in fact, American policy-makers always make strategic calculations of US interests for every dollar extended to its so-called allies,” said the CPP. According to US State Department documents, the US government extends GSCF assistance to its “partner countries” to enable them to “address emergent challenges and opportunities important to US national security”.
The CPP said the US$40-million dollar funding from the US is likely to supplement the expansion of the Oyster Bay naval facility of the Philippine Navy in Palawan, in order for it to accommodate the biggest US aircraft carriers in its docks. “The US military has long wanted to set up facilities in Oyster Bay because the deep waters allow its warships to dock near the shores.”
The CPP said such military funding “is unduly drawing the Philippines to an arms buildup campaign which serves the interests of the US, causing China and other countries in the region to race ahead of each other in the purchase or production of war materiél, which would invariably benefit the US military-industrial complex.”
“The Filipino people should denounce Kerry for declaring all-out US support for the large-scale rearmament efforts of Japan and plans to spend as much as US$240 billion to buy stealth fighters, drones and submarines,” said the CPP. “Upon US prodding, the weapons buildup in Asia is now being boosted by the Abe government’s campaign to revive the military power and dominance of Japan.”
“The CPP denounces the Aquino regime for exhibiting extreme obsequiousness to the US government when it continues to allow the US military to build up its rotational presence in the Philippines. Aquino has even followed the US lead with regard to Japan when he declared that he was seeking to forge a military treaty with the Abe government.”
The CPP further denounced the US government for engaging in “disaster interventionism” in using the devastation brought about by supertyphoon Yolanda (Haiyan) to “glamorize American troops by letting them carry relief and emergency supplies aboard their nuclear-capable warships and missile-carrying helicopters.”'
On a different note, the CPP likewise called on the Filipino people “to reject the offer of the US government to categorize the Philippines as being under US ‘Temporary Protection Status’ to supposedly ease restrictions for Filipinos seeking employment in the US.”
The CPP branded the US offer as “extremely hypocritical” as the Obama government continues to make life difficult for Filipino immigrants in the US, especially those coming from the working class, who not only suffer from widespread unemployment, but from the highly restrictive and punitive US immigration laws.
Saudi's involvement in 9/11 - LIVE with Senator Bob Graham
Ultra respect for Saudi Arabian diplomats and diplomatic immunity for a wide range of Saudi people by the United States Government. 28 Pages redacted in Joint Congressional Report on 911 covering Saudi Arabia.
911 Truth gets nearer in 2014 and the final exposure of Saudi Arabia and the Prince of Darkness Bandar Bush at long last.
See Also:
http://democracyandclasstruggle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/revealing-911-conspiracy-would-undo.html
Khobragade’s Arrest – Labour Law Violation Issue, Not Foreign Policy Issue: Gharelu Kaamgaar Sangathan and NTUI
Democracy and Class Struggle agrees that the principal issue is a Labour Law violation but there is a secondary matter of the contempt in which the USA holds its allies and of course the NSA Spying recently illustrated that very well.
If India does not want to have its diplomatic staff treated with contempt by USA Then we suggest India picks better friends and not confuse its enemies with its friends.
Or to put it another way stop being a running dog of USA like UK and stop declaring War on your Own People for US and other Capitalist Corporations - treat India's poor with respect.
DECEMBER 19, 2013
by GHARELU KAAMGAAR SANGATHAN, (GKS) Haryana & New Trade Union Initiative (NTUI)
We express strong outrage at the Indian government’s reaction to the case of visa fraud and exploitation of her domestic worker against Deputy Consul General Devyani Khobragade in the United States.
In its dealing of the case, the Indian government is only seeking to protect the dignity and honour of Ms. Khobragade, and has shown a complete lack of respect for the underlying issue – that of the abuse and exploitation of a domestic worker by a senior official.
Ms. Khobragade’s father, Mr. Uttam Khobragade, is a politician and has a played a harmful role in suppressing the facts of the case and in diverting attention from it.
What Ms. Khobragade has done is not an uncommon practice among diplomats and government officials. It is difficult to expose such crimes as domestic workers, in their vulnerable and terrified state, are unable to bring such employers to justice.
Minister Shashi Tharoor commented that Ms. Khobragade is being singled out. Instead of protecting such shameless employers, Minister Tharoor should be congratulating investigating agencies who have exposed this common practice.
While we condemn the alleged strip search and cavity search that Ms. Khobragade was subjected to, it is our belief that the outrage over her arrest and mis-treatment by officials cannot camouflage the deeper questions raised by the case.
In only speaking up for the deputy consular general, the Indian government has belittled a grave and serious concern of labour rights violation, by turning it into a foreign policy issue.
We believe India needs to be equally outraged for the plight of the exploited domestic worker, who is also an Indian citizen, and deserves a fair trial. The Indian government has turned a blind eye to similar cases before.
Media reports have only focused on interviewing Indian diplomats and officers and have not engaged with the domestic workers organisations in India.
We strongly condemn the one-sided media reporting and the narrow-minded Indian government’s selfish protection of official employers of domestic workers.
It has even been said that Ms. Khobragade was not paid enough to pay the domestic worker a decent wage.
Ms. Khobragade and employers like her can ask for a salary raise or not hire a domestic worker if they cannot afford to pay for one.
We immediately demand:
1) Prosecution of Ms. Khobragade to send a warning to other similar employers
2) Indian government to publicly recognise that the rights of the domestic worker in question have been violated and compensate her and her family in India
3) Enact a Comprehensive Legislation as recommended by the National Platform for Domestic Workers
4) Ratify the ILO Convention 189, Domestic Workers Convention 2011
Contact: Anannya Bhattacharjee, anannya48@gmail.com, +91-9810970627 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 
+91-9810970627 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Gharelu Kaamgaar Sanghatan (GKS), Haryana
New Trade Union Initiative (NTU
+91-9810970627 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlightingGharelu Kaamgaar Sanghatan (GKS), Haryana
New Trade Union Initiative (NTU
The Sectarian Divide : Syria's Christians on verge of annihilation - Prince Charles should speak to his Saudi Royal Friends - the real killers of the Syrian People
Democracy and Class Struggle says US Imperialism Out Of Middle East, Saudi and Qatari and Turkish funders and promoters of Syrian Sectarian conflict should face revolutionary justice of their own Peoples.
Time for the Real Arab Revolution in Saudi Arabia and Qatar - time for the overthrow of the AKP in Turkey - smash US Imperialist interventions which stokes sectarian conflict - look at Iraq and the consequences of sectarianism.
End of Monarchies in Middle Eat from Morocco to Bahrain - new Arab secular socialist states and religious toleration for all -
Then we will have PEACE because then we will have JUSTICE
IF PRINCE CHARLES REALLY WANTS TO END SECTARIANISM GET ON A PLANE TO RIYADH - SAUDI ARABIA AND TELL PRINCE BANDAR TO STOP HIS WAR ON THE PEOPLE OF SYRIA THIS CHRISTMAS.
Syria, Al-Jaafari: The Game of Chemical Weapons Is Over, no more secret who is behind it
Further Exposure of US and West and Saudi/Qatari's and Turkish role in Syrian Conflict - the people will hold the war makers to account - blessed are the peacemakers this Christmas.
India: 20 years of Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union (PKMU) - Agricultural Labourers Movement by Harsh Thakor
Punjab Khet Mazdur Union (P.K.M.U-20th anniversary year of formation in September,1993)
In commemoration of 20 years since Balahar Vinju struggle led by the erstwhile Pendu Mazdoor Union and of 20 years since merging of the Punjab Dehati Mazdoor Union with the Punjab Pendu union into the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union. The Punjab Khet Mazdur Union(P.K.M.U.) or Punjab Agricultural workers Union( P.A.L.U)has launched anti-feudal struggles of the landless peasants and agricultural workers.
In 1993 ,in September the Punjab agricultural labouresr union merged with the Punjab Dehati Mazdoor union in a unity conference .
Since it's foundation in 1993 it launched a series of heroic struggles and has depicted phenomenal consistency, a work-style which could brilliantly relate to the issues of the landless peasants, class –analytical theoretical clarity and above all possessed the features of democratically functioning mass organization.
1. Introduction
The overwhelming majority of agricultural labourers belong to the scheduled dalit caste. The landlords and the landed peasantry belong to the upper castes, which constitute the major part of the village population. Thus it is very difficult to organize the agricultural labourers movement and organization on anti-feudal economic demands.
Whenever an attempt is made to organize the agricultural labourers,the landlords can easily instigate the landed peasantry against the landless labourers by raising casteist slogan and giving call for social boycott.
There was a debate in Punjab on whether agricultural labourers and landed peasants should be organized into a single mass –organization or there should be separate organizations.The Kirti Kisan Union belied that both sections of the peasantry could be united into a single organization because both these classes are integral to the anti-feudal peasant movement.
Whenever an attempt is made to organize the agricultural labourers,the landlords can easily instigate the landed peasantry against the landless labourers by raising casteist slogan and giving call for social boycott.
There was a debate in Punjab on whether agricultural labourers and landed peasants should be organized into a single mass –organization or there should be separate organizations.The Kirti Kisan Union belied that both sections of the peasantry could be united into a single organization because both these classes are integral to the anti-feudal peasant movement.
The Punjab Khet Mazdoor union established the view that since caste prejudices were so strongly prevalent and there is a clash of partial demands and interest between the landed and landless peasantry they should be organized in separate mass organizations. Only a protracted process of development of political consciousness and struggle for unity between them would narrow the clash of interests. The twin organizations should be built simultaneously developing mutual friendship with class consciousness building. In this way finally all the exploited section sof the peasantry would unite and the alliance of landlords with landed peasantry would be broken.
An agricultural labourer lives the life of a wretched beast. He is denied his weekly or any holiday throughout the year. When he takes leave for any death in the family or a marriage he is charged much more than the average wage being paid to him. At work he virtually works round the clock.
In Agricultural Operations, he has to do all sorts of household chores, for the master. In Peak work seasons, he has to forget rest and sleep for days together due to rush of work. This forced sleeplessness results in accidents leading to amputation of limbs and serious injuries. The landowner is not required to pay for their treatment or missed days. No compensation is paid during disability or death. His average wage is much below the stipulated minimum wage. The rising prices of day to day items forced the agricultural labourer community to slash their consumption.
3 types of issues were predominantly taken up.
The first one was opposing casteist arrogance and misbehavior with women. The 2nd one was for increase in and proper distribution for social welfare and other advances like grants, community centers. The third relates to propaganda and agitational issues like distribution of land, residential plots and improvement in working conditions. The 4th and last related to political mobilization on issues.
In Agricultural Operations, he has to do all sorts of household chores, for the master. In Peak work seasons, he has to forget rest and sleep for days together due to rush of work. This forced sleeplessness results in accidents leading to amputation of limbs and serious injuries. The landowner is not required to pay for their treatment or missed days. No compensation is paid during disability or death. His average wage is much below the stipulated minimum wage. The rising prices of day to day items forced the agricultural labourer community to slash their consumption.
3 types of issues were predominantly taken up.
The first one was opposing casteist arrogance and misbehavior with women. The 2nd one was for increase in and proper distribution for social welfare and other advances like grants, community centers. The third relates to propaganda and agitational issues like distribution of land, residential plots and improvement in working conditions. The 4th and last related to political mobilization on issues.
In Doaba region of Punjab the P.A.L.U.after a determined struggle succeeded in getting residential plots .In Muktsar district, the repeated attempts of an influential wealthy family in evicting a number of labouring families from a piece of land was foiled. A similar occurrence took place in Jalandhar district where an Akali leader's attempt to grab villagers land was foiled.
An example of heroic anti –feudal resistance led by the P.A.L.U was in Ferozepur district where 2 agricultural labourers were tortured to death by a cruel landlord. The landlord spent lakhs of rupees in bribing the police and the media. The Union carried out massive processions, blockading of police stations, holding up traffics, surrounding district courts Etc.At every stage the Union had to battle it out with the police and civil authorities.
The last significant form of struggle the Punjab Agricultural Workers Union waged was against medieval service conditions of farm labour. Peasants in Punjab often die of pesticide poisoning. The Landlords refuse to pay for the peasant's illnesses .In one example of the death of a contract labourer in Bhagtuana village the landlord not only refused to pay the treatment expenses, but also pressurized the labourer's family in paying the dues. He even threatened to confiscate the labourer's cattle. The Union challenged this. Through militant struggle the peasants prevented the landlord from gaining a single penny.
In Various districts in Punjab the Punjab Agricultural Workers Union has carried out alternative flood relief. The so-called social welfare schemes were exposed. Numerous cases concerning yellow cards, house grants and flood relief were settled. Corruption of authorities was exposed.
Lastly the Union played a great role in the election campaigns in exposing the nefarious ruling class politics. The Union explained the anti people policies of the state and how the people were enslaved through Imperialist policies like globalization. Rural labouring sections rose up like a tornado in the "Long Live the Revolution Rally!" The Union played a great role in enhancing their political consciousness.
An example of heroic anti –feudal resistance led by the P.A.L.U was in Ferozepur district where 2 agricultural labourers were tortured to death by a cruel landlord. The landlord spent lakhs of rupees in bribing the police and the media. The Union carried out massive processions, blockading of police stations, holding up traffics, surrounding district courts Etc.At every stage the Union had to battle it out with the police and civil authorities.
The last significant form of struggle the Punjab Agricultural Workers Union waged was against medieval service conditions of farm labour. Peasants in Punjab often die of pesticide poisoning. The Landlords refuse to pay for the peasant's illnesses .In one example of the death of a contract labourer in Bhagtuana village the landlord not only refused to pay the treatment expenses, but also pressurized the labourer's family in paying the dues. He even threatened to confiscate the labourer's cattle. The Union challenged this. Through militant struggle the peasants prevented the landlord from gaining a single penny.
In Various districts in Punjab the Punjab Agricultural Workers Union has carried out alternative flood relief. The so-called social welfare schemes were exposed. Numerous cases concerning yellow cards, house grants and flood relief were settled. Corruption of authorities was exposed.
Lastly the Union played a great role in the election campaigns in exposing the nefarious ruling class politics. The Union explained the anti people policies of the state and how the people were enslaved through Imperialist policies like globalization. Rural labouring sections rose up like a tornado in the "Long Live the Revolution Rally!" The Union played a great role in enhancing their political consciousness.
India : The Srikakulam Girijan Sangham by Indian Comrade
Below I am submitting a compilation from 2 letters from the Srikakulam Girijan Sangham (compiled from 1992-1993 issues of ‘The Comrade’) the 1st one addressed to the C.P.I (M.L.) peoples war group and the 2ND to everyone..
I am posting it in memory of late comrade Nirmal Krishnamurti ,who was the secretary of the Girijan Sangham and Srikakulam Rama Rao,2 major architects of the Sangh.
They reflect an outstanding class analytical revolutionary democratic approach. They relate the history of the Srikakulam Grijan armed struggle in light of the mass line and mass revolutionary democratic perspective.
In that period group clashes of armed squads between different revolutionary groups was a common reccurence.The author cannot forget the clashes between the erstwhile C.P.I.(M.L.) Chandra Pulla Reddy group and the erstwhile C.P.I.(M.L.) Peoples War group..
The author bows down to the immortal sacrifices of the erstwhile C.P.I.(M.L.) PWG and does not underestimate the importance of armed struggle.
The author bows down to the immortal sacrifices of the erstwhile C.P.I.(M.L.) PWG and does not underestimate the importance of armed struggle.
However this note reflects on the weakness of correct military line in relation to the mass revolutionary movement. The role of armed squads is debateable but I cannot deny the bravery of the PWG in withstanding the enemy forces.
Sangh upheld a mass revolutionary political approach. Above all it was an ideal illustration of mass revolutionary democratic political approach asserting the role of preparedness of masses and building of peoples mass movements.
Sangh upheld a mass revolutionary political approach. Above all it was an ideal illustration of mass revolutionary democratic political approach asserting the role of preparedness of masses and building of peoples mass movements.
The author wishes readers to refer to notes written by the late Comrade Tarimela Nagi Reddy in the early 1970’s on the mass line in armed struggle, combating the left adventurist line of Charu Mazumdar.
The Sangh reflected great clarity and grasp of mass line and above all never resorted to slandering the PWG,which so many groups did in the 1990’s.
In the end I am posting a small tribute to it’s secretary who was martyred in June,1996. and another veteran comrade.
In 1958 the Srikakulam Girijan Sangham was formed. This was a separate organization formed for the protection of the tribal´s rights.
The Sangham was formed in 1958 under the leadership of the Communist Party of India.
The Issues included illegal taxes and extortions by landlords, vetty (Forced Labour),unfair practices in the purchase of minor forest produce gathered by the Girijans, and wages for Agricultural labour.
The first Girijan Public meeting was held at Mondem Khal in 1961 when 4000 people from hundreds of villages heard about the Conspiracy of the landlords and the Girijan Resistance.
The Issues included illegal taxes and extortions by landlords, vetty (Forced Labour),unfair practices in the purchase of minor forest produce gathered by the Girijans, and wages for Agricultural labour.
The first Girijan Public meeting was held at Mondem Khal in 1961 when 4000 people from hundreds of villages heard about the Conspiracy of the landlords and the Girijan Resistance.
The base of the Girijan Association was enlarged and the non-Girijans of the plains began to support the movement. At the 1964 Panchayat Elections, the Girijans participated around such democratic issues and defeated the landlord candidates.
However the village Girijan committees proved more effective as means to represent Girijan demands and implement them. The Girijan Village Committees had begun to function as parallel courts in the late 1960´s. Now the Girijan Resistance took shape of a major agrarian movement. Land was re-distributed, village level defence squads were set up People´s Courts were launched.
However the village Girijan committees proved more effective as means to represent Girijan demands and implement them. The Girijan Village Committees had begun to function as parallel courts in the late 1960´s. Now the Girijan Resistance took shape of a major agrarian movement. Land was re-distributed, village level defence squads were set up People´s Courts were launched.
Statement of the Communist (Maoist) Party of Afghanistan on the Bilateral Secutity Agreement
Statement of the Communist (Maoist) Party of Afghanistan on the Bilateral Security Agreement between the American imperialists and the Puppet Regime:Bilateral Security Agreement and the Imposition of a Prolonged and broad Resistance on the People of Afghanistan
On November 21, 2013 the puppet regime convened its fourth sham Loya Jirga.
The first Emergency Loya Jirga was held to endorse the imperialist invasionand subsequent occupation of Afghanistan and the enslaving decisions of the gathering of the national traitors in Bonn held under the plumage of the invading imperialists for approving the puppet regime of Hamid Karzai.
The second Loya Jirga was held to ratify the colonial constitution; the third Loya Jirga was held to approve the Strategic Agreement between the American imperialists and its satraps.
The issue for the current and fourth Loya Jirga, then, is the signing of the Bilateral Security Agreement which will grant strategic military bases to the American occupiers and its imperialist
allies in Afghanistan. Formally, the imperialist occupation and the colonial condition of the country will be prolonged for many years to come.
Thus, the regime that in the eleven years of its shameful existence has held two fraudulent general presidential and parliamentary elections, and has upholding the feudal institution of Loya Jirgas four times, has served the objectives of the imperialist occupiers--all of these elections and Loya Jirgas have been orchestrated to nurture the puppet regime.
Hence, the country's condition is colonial and semi-feudal. Colonial in the sense that the fate of Afghanistan and its people is ultimately determined by the imperialist occupiers. Semi-feudal in the sense that the reactionary ruling classes forming the puppet regime possess both feudal and bourgeois and comprador characteristics in a proportion similar to the ratio between the Loya Jirgas and the sham elections.
In fact, since the inception of the disgraceful puppet regime, Loya Jirgas,and not the fraudulent and sham elections, have been the real source of decision making.
Now the occupying imperialists, through their imported feudal and bourgeois comprador democracy are holding a Loya Jirga to earn legality and legitimacy for their occupation under the name of the people of Afghanistan.
However, our people clearly understand that the overwhelming majority of the participants of the Loya Jirga have been carefully selected by the occupiers and the upper brass of the puppet regime, bought with hundreds of millions of dollars, to approve and ratify the continued existence of the occupying forces and consequently ensure this regime's survival and continuation.
Therefore, we cannot call the decisions of such a gathering the expression of the free will of the people of Afghanistan.
Additionally, this Loya Jirga is intended to formalize the conditions that have been in existence for the past eleven years with the explicit agreement of the puppet regime--conditions that are this regime's source of vitality.
Although the legal immunity of the occupying forces has been, without exception, an informal fact since the beginning of the invasion and occupation, in the past year the puppet regime has only now made this an issue of contention so as to cast itself as independent and nationalist.
The puppet regime's fictitious independence, and its opposition to the killings of civilians and intractable military operations, is nothing new. But such exhibitions have never stopped the murder of civilians, nor have they curtailed the reckless military operations of the occupying forces.
The reality, despite all phony political shows, is the presence of the occupying forces and the colonial condition of the country under occupation. Such a condition can take various forms and configurations, as well as different levels of intensity; no cunning, deception or masquerades can
remove its objective and subjective effects.
Right now a legal opposition to the granting of legal immunity to the occupying forces has been constructed; it will be brought to the Loya Jirga so as to play a "democratic" role. The participants of this so-called opposition have divergent incentives. The objections of some of members of
this opposition are intended as a bargaining chip for gaining a better colonial agreement.
Others oppose the agreement simply because they are afraid of being targeted by the armed opposition; otherwise they do not have any disagreement. Others are those who are consciously playing the role of opposition in order to complete the political drama.
Then there is a fourth section of this legal opposition that consists of those who are under the
delusion that if they oppose the legal immunity for the occupying forces they will perform their patriotic and national duty--only these participants of the Loya Jirga can be addressed so as to challenge their delusions and convince them not to commit national treason with good intentions.
The Communist (Maoist) Party of Afghanistan proclaims that it is fundamentally against any security pact with the American imperialist and other imperialist powers, just as it is against the continued presence of the occupying forces in the country.
We believe that signing any security agreement with the American imperialists and other imperialist powers, and agreeing to the continued presence of the occupying powers at whatever level and for whatever duration is to also agree with the occupation and colonial condition of the country--it is nothing other than national treason.
We proclaim that the current Loya Jirga, put together by the occupying imperialists and their satraps, has no normative basis for being the representative of the people of Afghanistan; it is only a gathering for executing another national treason, following previous national treasons, particularly the treason of the consultative Loya Jirga on the strategic agreement with the American imperialists.
We proclaim that the security agreement be tween the American imperialists and the puppet regime, that would result in the continuing presence of American strategic military bases in the country imposes a prolonged and comprehensive resistance on the people of Afghanistan based upon the revolutionary and peoples national armed resistance and for the purpose of forcefully throwing out the occupiers and bringing down the puppet regime.
Down with the occupying imperialists and their puppet regime!
Advance towards launching and carrying forward a prolonged revolutionary and national people's war of resistance!
Communist (Maoist) Party of Afghanistan
November 21, 20
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Al Qaeda, Saudi Arabia and the Collapsing Free Syrian Army
Democracy and Class Struggle publishes this video for information we do not endorse this video
Geopolitics - Syria - Russia and Saudi Arabia : Putin suggested to Bandar Bush to abandon “sectarian instigations and supporting terrorism, because it is a double edged sword that will rebound inside Saudi Arabia and gather momentum in a manner that you will not be able to control.” by Pepe Escobar
Everyone remembers the spectacular four-and-a-half hour meeting last August in Moscow between President Putin and Bandar Bush – aka Bandar bin Sultan, Saudi Arabia’s Director of National Intelligence.
Well, there was a remix last week, also in Moscow. And once again in absolute secrecy, until a formidable leak from “a close and reliable source” in Russia reached Lebanese newspaper al-Manar.
Bandar Bush’s first offensive was a disaster; not only did Putin rebuff his attempt to “bribe” Moscow into abandoning Damascus, but subsequently Russia was pivotal in preventing the Obama administration from bombing Syria.
Now Bandar Bush has “offered” softer terms. After all, Saudi Arabia is on board with the Geneva-2 peace conference scheduled for January 22 – although it didn’t used to be.
President Bashar Assad may remain in Damascus during this period, but real power should be transferred to an interim government headed by the “opposition” (which opposition is open to speculation; certainly the “rebels” controlled by Riyadh).
Moreover, Bandar Bush expects Russia to pressure Assad not to call for a 2014 presidential election.
According to the Syrian constitution, a new constitution should be written and approved during the interim government and only then elections should be called – with Assad excluded. If Moscow abides, Saudi Arabia will be more than willing to “contribute” to the cost of rebuilding Syria (which it helped destroy via financed/weaponized mercenaries).
Leaving aside the mind-boggling spectacle of the House of Saud’s medieval paradise dictating the terms for the future of a third country
President Putin’s answer can be summarized as a model of restraint.
The “opposition” armed and financed by Saudi Arabia and Qatar is on a losing streak. Saudi support for the opposition has nothing to do with democracy; these “rebels” are in fact terrorists.
Neither Damascus nor Moscow needs Saudi funds to rebuild Syria; Russia, Iran and China will do the job. Moreover, Russia and the US reached an understanding that takfiri terrorism is a danger not only to American security, but to Russian and global security. The Europeans – fearful of returnee terrorists – also agree.
As the cherry on the sundae, Putin suggested to Bandar Bush to abandon “sectarian instigations and supporting terrorism, because it is a double edged sword that will rebound inside Saudi Arabia and gather momentum in a manner that you will not be able to control.”
Geneva II: Dead on arrival
A few days after the Putin-Bandar Bush get-together, the supreme commander of the Washington-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA), self-described ‘General Doctor Engineer’ Salim Idris, was forced to flee Syria after the Islamic Front - Bandar Bush’s brigades - took over the headquarters and warehouses of Idris’ Supreme Military Council (SMC) at the Bab al-Hawa crossing near the Turkish border.
Washington immediately announced it was freezing all “non-lethal aid.”
The Islamic Front is a coalition of Islamist “rebels” that – in theory – do not include the two top al-Qaeda-linked outfits, Jabhat al-Nusra and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
Washington believes its own propaganda that the Islamic Front is more “moderate” than the ISIL.
After the debacle at Bab al-Hawa, Idris’ followers started spinning that the General Doctor Engineer himself invited the Saudi-backed Islamic Front to take over the warehouses.
No wonder US Think-Tank-Land was as perplexed as crocodiles in the Hindu Kush; after all, the General Doctor Engineer was their updated version of Ahmad Chalabi, the future of democracy for Syrians and Arabs. How come he fled the scene of his greatest triumph? After Idris fled to Doha, Washington told him to get his act together and go back to Syria. Instead, he relocated to his fancy digs in Turkey.
Arab media has a different take on the whole operation - but it must be taken with a bulldozer of salt, as Arab media is overwhelmingly controlled by Saudi money
The warehouses may not have been taken over at all; they were “handed over” to the Islamic Front, according to an agreement supervised by the cousin of the Doctor Engineer General (“rebel” nepotism, anyone?).
Although Washington (laughably) swears it doesn’t know what was stolen from its “non-lethal aid” package, the content of the warehouses couldn’t be juicier; a weaponizing orgy - M79 Osa rocket launchers, rocket-propelled grenades, 14.5mm heavy machine guns, and even Stinger missiles - generously supplied by Saudis, Qataris, and Emiratis, obviously after a green light from Washington.
And by the way - US lethal, semi-lethal, or non-lethal “aid” continues and will continue to flow via Jordan, while Turkey “discreetly” does nothing to prevent ISIL deployments in both Syria and Iraq.
Washington - via the CIA - is in close contact with the Islamic Front; after all, these are Bandar Bush’s goons, and Bandar Bush has access to everyone that counts in Washington.
To essentially summarize the “opposition” nebulae in Syria, there are absolutely negligible ideological differences between the FSA of General Doctor Engineer Idris, Bandar Bush’s brigades of the Islamic Front, and ISIL.
So Bandar Bush’s goons/foreign mercenaries - soon to number tens of thousands, and making as much as $2,500 a month - are now weaponized to the max.
The Washington narrative that it’s “persuading” such a nasty bunch of Islamists to support Geneva-2 is no more than a joke.
No matter who will remain in control of those weapons - Bandar Bush’s brigades, the al-Qaeda-style International Jihad, or both - what’s certain is that these lethal facts on the ground will make a mockery of anything transpiring out of Geneva-2 next month.
Washington knows it, Bandar Bush knows it, and Putin knows it. Ladies and gentlemen, place your bets.
Source RT
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of RT.
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of RT.
Democratic Students' Union - Delhi : Nelson Mandela: A Hero for the oppressors, A BETRAYER FOR THE OPPRESSED! The mournings & praises from the imperialists and their agents, are Mandela’s “legacy” of brokering one of the biggest sell outs of the 20th century!
Democracy and Class Struggle is re-publishing this criticism of Mandela from Democratic Students Union - Delhi because it is the strongest and one of the best critiques of Mandela we have seen.
Ever since the death of Nelson Mandela on the 6th of December, the most flowery tributes have been showered on him by a wide spectrum of the ruling classes all over the world. While the face of US imperialism Barak Obama “led the world” in paying tribute to “his personal hero”, the speeches his lieutenants in Britian, much of Europe, and across the world reverberated the same. The mass murderer president of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapakshe who oversaw the genocide of the people of Tamil Ealam also had tears to shed for Mandela. The Indian state also gargled the same and declared a four day long state mourning. The same waves also reached our campus. From ABVP to the parliamentary pseudo-left AISA or SFI and their likes, several organizations vied with each other in presenting their laurels to their “hero”. This spectrum is certainly striking, and may even confuse a few as to the real “legacy” of Mandela. However in reality, it is precisely this unanimity of imperialists and their agents that is most revealing. Mandela’s so called legacy is built upon on an illusion, the seeds of which were laid by Mandela himself. It is extremely important that we break this collective iconization and the illusion of Mandela’s legacy.
Ever since the death of Nelson Mandela on the 6th of December, the most flowery tributes have been showered on him by a wide spectrum of the ruling classes all over the world. While the face of US imperialism Barak Obama “led the world” in paying tribute to “his personal hero”, the speeches his lieutenants in Britian, much of Europe, and across the world reverberated the same. The mass murderer president of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapakshe who oversaw the genocide of the people of Tamil Ealam also had tears to shed for Mandela. The Indian state also gargled the same and declared a four day long state mourning. The same waves also reached our campus. From ABVP to the parliamentary pseudo-left AISA or SFI and their likes, several organizations vied with each other in presenting their laurels to their “hero”. This spectrum is certainly striking, and may even confuse a few as to the real “legacy” of Mandela. However in reality, it is precisely this unanimity of imperialists and their agents that is most revealing. Mandela’s so called legacy is built upon on an illusion, the seeds of which were laid by Mandela himself. It is extremely important that we break this collective iconization and the illusion of Mandela’s legacy.
What exactly is Mandela’s legacy? The checkered political career of young Mandela began with a revolutionary vision to fight injustice and exploitation by white racial tyranny that was weighing heavily upon the black majority of South Africa. It is with this purpose that he joined the African National Congress in 1942 and founded the radical Youth League to wrest economic and political power from the oppressive apartheid regime that racially segregated the people of colour (black, coloured & Indian) from the white ruling minority. This was a regime that came with the mission to fight the "Swart Gevaar" (the "black peril") and the program of "Die Kaffer op sy plek" ("The negro in his place"). In the face of increasing fascist repression, massacres (of the likes of the Sharpeville massacre, 1960) and the banning of several organizations to crush this black assertion, Mandela shunned the path of passive resistance. In 1961 he launched an armed struggle under the military organization Umkhonto we Sizwe (the spear of the nation) to overthrow the white regime. He was arrested soon after in 1963 at the age of 42 and sentenced to life in prison where he would remain for the next 28 years. The armed resistance with its revolutionary agenda however galloped through the 1970s & 80s thereby swelling the ranks of Umkhonto we Sizwe. This was despite the brutal massacres like the infamous Soweto massacre (which was the epicenter of the struggle) where close to 600 blacks were butchered by the racist regime. But alongside, this was also the time when the agenda of the black militants proved too radical for most of the exiled ANC moderates who not only were prepared for a negotiated “peace” but were also instrumental in sabotaging the struggle. During the 1980s, the apartheid regime offered generous loans to a handful of black businessmen leading to the rise of a new black bourgeoisie that was essentially comprador. ANC chieftains quickly moved into mansions in "golf and country estates" and were eager for “peace”. All this while, the brutal apartheid regime enjoyed the support of the west (particularly US & Israel). By this time, the imperialist forces very well realized that with the rising groundswell amongst the black masses, the choice was between revolution or “reconciliation. In other words, a complete economic transformation OR a “peaceful transition” that would leave the white property-owning minority and Western corporate’s interests intact albeit with cosmetic changes. Through the long clandestine negotiations that finally led to his release, Mandela (and the moderate ANC) chose the latter. It is this betrayal of the cause for which thousands of people across Africa gave their lives which made Mandela into an “icon” that he is for the oppressors now.
“From revolutionary to economic manager: Mandela’s lesson in change”. Ironically, this is not the opinion of a trenchant critic of Mandela. Rather, this is the title of an article written in praise by a corporate media-giant. It succinctly captures the historic compromise of Mandela and ANC in the service of global capital. As early as 1985, years before the world would behold his release, this compromise was being scripted when a group of South African industrialists led by Gavin Reilly, chairman of the Anglo-American mining company, met prominent ANC officials in Zambia. Both sides agreed upon a "transition" from apartheid to a “black-governed liberal democracy” with the requisite "order" & "stability". In other words, justice was sacrificed at the altar of "free market". Leading figures in the ANC, such as Cyril Ramaphosa, head of the National Union of Mineworkers (now a corporate giant), was already negotiating a power-sharing "deal" with the apartheid regime. Secret meetings also took place in England, at which a future president of “liberated” South Africa, Tabo Mbeki, brokered “peace” with the heads of corporations that formed the bulwark of years of racial apartheid. Mandela meanwhile had secret negotiations with the authorities from the Pollsmoor Prison. To facilitate these negotiations, Mandela was shifted from Robben Island Prison (where he was not allowed visitors) prison and these negotiations culminated in his final release in 1990. Soon after that in 1993, he shared the Nobel Peace Prize with his own jailer, the last president of the racist apartheid regime de Klerk “for their work for the peaceful termination of the apartheid regime”.
This “peace” of course came with a grave price. Till very late Mandela pledged to take over or nationalize the mines and other monopoly industries. This was based upon the ideals of the Freedom Charter adopted by him in 1955 that stated that "The national wealth of our country, the heritage of South Africans, shall be restored to the people; the mineral wealth beneath the soil; the banks and monopoly industries shall be transferred to the ownership of the people as a whole; all other industries and trade shall be controlled to assist the well-being of the people”. He also boasted that "a change or modification of our views in this regard is inconceivable". But, soon after his release, on his first visit to US, he reassured the imperialist west that "The ANC will reintroduce the market to South Africa". When criticized of emulating the ruthless Thatcherite model of neo-liberalism that further impoverished the black majority, his reply was: "You can put any label on it if you like, but, for this country, privatization is the fundamental policy.” Lauded as the most “reliable steward of sub-Sahara Africa’s largest economy, embracing orthodox fiscal and monetary policies” by the Financial Times, Mandela, made sure that the flow of profits from South African mines and agriculture into the coffers of foreign investors and the white business elite was never interrupted.
Mandela facilitated the process of maintaining racial hegemony over resources. While the mandate from the people as enshrined in the Freedom Charter was nationalisation of the country’s assets and the mines, Mandela went into several deals with the white big business to leave their share in the pie intact. He held regular meetings with the likes of Harry Oppenheimer, former chairman of the mining giants Anglo-American and De Beers, the economic symbols of apartheid rule. Shortly after the 1994 election, Mandela, the newly elected black president, even submitted the ANC’s economic program to Oppenheimer for “his approval” and made several key revisions to address “his concerns”, as well as those of other top industrialists. The outcomes of those meetings were that there could be an illusion of “political power” for the oppressed black masses, but the gold and diamonds were to be retained in the hands of the same few who controlled it before. Another shameful instance of the betrayal was the negotiations held around the ownership of the Reserve Bank of South Africa, the most powerful institution in the country. While the people’s mandate as per the Freedom Charter was to nationalise it and bring it under the elected government, Mandela was instrumental in betraying this demand and maintaining it till date as a privately owned bank with 650 (predominantly white) shareholders. Not only was its “autonomy” (i.e., private ownership) safeguarded by the new constitution, but it was headed by the same man who ran it under apartheid. Several such apartheid era figures in key positions, like finance minister Derek Keyes, retained their positions in the new administration under Mandela. Another fundamental pledge of the Freedom Charter that demanded the complete redistribution of land was set aside, replaced with a new clause in the constitution which “protected all private property”. The transfer of ownership of resources and land that forms the real basis for any genuine transformation was deliberately obfuscated by creating the façade of “Truth & Reconciliation” and “rainbow-nation”.
All that Mandela’s “Reconciliation” and embracing of the “free market” entailed was the further pauperization of South Africa’s black majority. He only bolstered racial apartheid by encouraging economic apartheid. While the disparities between the whites and a handful of beneficiary black elites narrowed, they widened between the latter and the teeming black majority. The vast majority of the blacks remain in same conditions, if not worse, than under apartheid. The adoption of privatization as the “fundamental policy” by Mandela right after coming to power spelt the betrayal of all the promises. The blacks who constitute 80% of the population today control only 5% of wealth. Only a tiny fraction (3%) of land owned by whites (87%) were transferred to blacks since 1994. So, while 60% of the blacks remain landless, almost all agricultural land is owned by 60,000 whites. Post-apartheid, the income of 40% of the poorest black families has further shrunk by about 20%. 2 million of them have been evicted from their homes. The privatization of the basic services has deprived millions from water and electricity. The unemployment crisis is also defined along racial lines wherein by 2010, 30% of blacks were officially unemployed as compared to only 5% of whites. In terms of racial distribution of per capita income, black income levels in 2008 was still only 13% of white per capita income, compared to 10.9% in 1993. Behind the charade of “free & fair” environment in Mandela’s South Africa, the blacks were far from being free, and very little was fair. The massacre of 34 protesting miners (mostly shot on their backs by the state police) in the British-owned platinum mine at Marikana last year only serve to testify the ruthlessness of the post-apartheid regime built by Mandela. Liberation was betrayed for ‘Liberalization’.
Mandela through his historic betrayal, sold out the enormous revolutionary potential of the anti-racist struggle that raged through entire Africa against years of brutal racist oppression and exploitation. It is this betrayal that makes Mandela the favoured “saint” of the oppressors - from Obama to the Indian state and their pseudo-left stooges in campus. They draw inspiration from his “legacy” not only for his compromises, but also for his ability to use his prestige & charisma to persuade his own followers - the oppressed - to “reconcile” or sacrifice their own interest for the “greater good” of the oppressive ruling classes. And to paraphrase Frantz Fanon, this precisely has been the “historic mission” of all subservient ruling classes across the world. After all, same was the role of the likes of Gandhi, Nehru and the Indian National Congress in brokering the transfer of power in 1947 from their masters that at the same time safeguarded the oppressive feudal-imperialist nexus. But for the ongoing heroic struggles of the people there can be no “reconciliation” with feudalism, with fascism or with imperialism. The only way forward towards liberation is the completely overthrow of the present unjust order through revolutionary social transformation
Why is there a law that can imprison someone for life for simply wanting to imagine that the UK was a republic? Sign Petition to Repeal the Treason Felony Act of 1848
Welsh Socialist Republican Flag in 21st Century
In full, section three of the Treason Felony Act 1848 reads:
If any person whatsoever shall, within the United Kingdom or without, compass, imagine, invent, devise, or intend to deprive or depose our Most Gracious Lady the Queen, from the style, honour, or royal name of the imperial crown of the United Kingdom, or of any other of her Majesty's dominions and countries, or to levy war against her Majesty, within any part of the United Kingdom, in order by force or constraint to compel her to change her measures or counsels, or in order to put any force or constraint upon or in order to intimidate or overawe both Houses or either House of Parliament, or to move or stir any foreigner or stranger with force to invade the United Kingdom or any other of her Majesty's dominions or countries under the obeisance of her Majesty, and such compassings, imaginations, inventions, devices, or intentions, or any of them, shall express, utter, or declare, by publishing any printing or writing ... or by any overt act or deed, every person so offending shall be guilty of felony, and being convicted thereof shall be liable ... to be transported beyond the seas for the term of his or her natural life
The government has confirmed that republicanism is still punishable by life imprisonment and that it remains illegal to even 'imagine' overthrowing the Queen.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
FBI Entrapped Anonymous and Spied on World Governments
This a video explaining more about the activity of People's Hero Jeremy Hammond and implications that have not been sufficiently thought through by activists.
See Also:
http://democracyandclasstruggle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/jeremy-hammond-chris-hedges-and-jeremy.html
http://democracyandclasstruggle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/wikileaks-otpor-canvas-collaboration.html
Philippines: CPP condemns 40-year sentence against NDFP Consultant Eduardo Sarmiento
This development makes the resumption of the peace negotiations ever more difficult, as it exemplifies the grave danger posed on the lives of NDFP Peace Consultants as a result of the Aquino government's refusal to abide by outstanding agreements.
By CPP Information Bureau
13 December 2013
CPP condemns 40-year sentence against NDFP Consultant Eduardo Sarmiento
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today condemned the Aquino regime and the Muntinlupa City regional trial court for convicting and sentencing National Democratic Front of the Philippines Peace Consultant Eduardo Sarmiento to 40 years imprisonment over trumped-up charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
The conviction and sentencing was carried out by Judge Myra Bayot Quiambo of Muntinlupa RTC Branch 203 last Wednesday (11 December 2013).
Sarmiento serves as NDFP Peace Consultant for the Eastern Visayas.
He was in Metro Manila conducting discussions and consultations related to peace negotiations when he was arrested by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on 24 February 2009.
“The conviction and sentencing of NDFP Peace Consultant Eduardo Sarmiento is in stark violation of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG),” pointed out the CPP. The JASIG secures personnel of the NDFP and the government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH) involved in peace negotiations against prosecution by either side. It prohibits either side from carrying out “surveillance, harassment, search, arrest, detention, prosecution and interrogation or any other similar punitive action” against the accredited personnel of the other party.
Sarmiento’s sentencing is also in violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) which upholds the GPH’s own Hernandez Doctrine prohibiting the state from criminalizing political offenses.
At least 13 NDFP consultants are languishing in various prisons and detention facilities under the Aquino regime because the acts they have allegedly committed in furtherance of their political convictions have been regarded as common crimes, such as illegal possession of firearms, murder, robbery in band and arson.
“This development makes the resumption of formal peace negotiations between the NDFP and the GPH ever more difficult as it exemplifies the grave danger posed on the lives of NDFP consultants as a result of the GPH’s refusal to abide by outstanding agreements,” pointed out the CPP.
“The CPP demands that the GPH rescind the conviction and sentencing of NDFP Consultant Eduardo Sarmiento. It calls on the human rights community, peace advocates both in the Philippines and abroad to stand together to defend the lives of all NDFP peace consultants and amplify the demand for their release.”
“Even under the GPH’s own laws, Sarmiento’s arrest and detention was illegal. He was taken into custody by the military without any warrant, in violation of his basic right against arbitrary arrest,” pointed out the CPP. “Furthermore, the supposed pieces of evidence against him were planted by the military operatives who carried out his illegal arrest.”
“The 40-year sentence imposed on Sarmiento constitutes cruel and unusual punishment on someone who was arrested and incarcerated for political reasons,” said the CPP.'
Sarmiento, 62 years old, is among the 400 political prisoners being detained under the Aquino regime, 150 of whom were arrested over the past three years.
Romanian Parliament Fails to Pass Pro-Mineral Extraction Law
Salute the Struggle of the Romanian People for the protection of their Land from Corporate Land Grabbers, let us see more countries protecting their Land like the Romanians - Land is an issue in Western Europe and not just in Eastern Europe.
Land is an explosive issue in the World Today - without Land no Liberty.
Has we say in Wales in solidarity with Romania - Cymrwch Y Tir Yn Ol ! Dal Dy Dir !
Friday, December 13, 2013
Italy : Anti Austerity Protests and Pitchfork Movement
Democracy and Class Struggle say the Pitchforks Anti Austerity Movement in Italy is a Movement of Contradictions similar in some respects to the Breton Red Cap Movement in France.
We have a mass movement in which Fascists in Italy like Roberto Fiore of Forza Nuova are attempting to hijack - the Pitchforks Movement which was founded has a non party political movement in Sicily against Austerity and for Autonomy,but some recent statements from a Pitchforks spokesman about "Jewish" Bankers reflect right wing influence on the movement.
We also understand that the Forza Nuova is a centralist party and would abolish Italian Regions - so much for Sicilian Autonomy ! Then we have demogogue Giuseppe Piero "Beppe" Grillo supporting the Pitchforks.
In France we have seen the Front Nationale trying to hijack the Breton Red Cap Mass Movement against austerity and for Autonomy but a quite clear rejection of the anti autonomist centralism of the Front Nationale has come from the Bretons themselves..
The phenomena of fascist attempts to hi jack mass movements should not come as a surprise has the petty bourgeoise is being proletarianised and is wavering politically between left and right.
The position of the Left in France and Italy in regard to these movements is critical if a progressive direction to these anti austerity movements is to develop or we will see the re-emergence of Fascist Mass Movements has in the 1930's.
It is also a test of revolutionary communist politics and its level of maturity in both countries in how they deal with the contradictions in these movements.
We at Democracy and Class Struggle are watching closely developments in France and Italy and the position that comrades take towards these movements and how these contradictions both among the people and with the enemy are handled.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Chemical weapons were likely used by forces in Syria in five of seven attacks investigated in Syria, the UN team of experts said in a report released Thursday.
The United Nations has released its report on the alleged use of chemicals weapons in Syria, as investigators report evidence of probable chemical weapons use in five of seven attacks probed.
Chemical weapons were likely used by forces in Syria in five of seven attacks investigated in Syria, the UN team of experts said in a report released Thursday.
"The United Nations Mission concludes that chemical weapons have been used in the ongoing conflict between the parties in the Syrian Arab Republic," said chief UN investigator Ake Sellstrom.
The report said that in several instances, victims included soldiers and civilians. However, it was not always possible to determine direct links between the attacks, victims, and alleged sites of the incidents.
“The United Nations Mission collected clear and convincing evidence that chemical weapons were used also against civilians, including children, on a relatively large scale in the Ghouta area of Damascus on 21 August 2013,” the report concludes.
The UN team says this overall assessment is based on findings of “impacted and exploded surface-to-surface rockets...found to contain Sarin”; in areas around where patients were affected, the environment was found to be “contaminated by Sarin”; over 50 interviews with survivors and health workers provided “corroboration of the medical and scientific results”; many patients and survivors were “diagnosed as intoxicated by an organophosphorous compound”; and blood and urine samples taken from the same patients tested “positive for Sarin and Sarin signatures.”
India: Lessons on massline from past revolutionary peasant struggle in Bihar by Indian Comrade
Below I am submitting a struggle report from a very old issue of the jounal ‘The Comrade’ (No 3 March-1989) from a Northern region of Bihar, in Khagaria district. Originally from 1981 it was led by the erstwhile C.PI. (M.L.) Party Unity (then called ‘Unity ‘group) which launched the Mazdoor Kisan Sangram Samiti (worker-peasant organization)in 1979 which was banned in 1986, but resurrected as the Mazdoor Kisan Mukti Manch.
From late 1988 however the leadership of the struggle in this area was taken over by the Centre for Communist Revolutionaries of India.(C.C.R.I.-formed in 1988 ) Although again from around 1992 the Party Unity group re-captured the leadership of the struggle and organization from the C.C.R.I.
However even when C.C.R.I started it’s work in Northern Bihar morally the line of the C.P.I(M.L.) Party Unity(later merged with the C.P.I.(M.L.)-Peoples war group in 1998)was practiced.
This report displays the importance of mass revolutionary resistance struggles which have to combine with armed activities of village red self defense corpses.
I consider this struggle report although old still of important significance with regards to mass line in Communist revolutionary movement.
I consider this struggle report although old still of important significance with regards to mass line in Communist revolutionary movement.
It gives a most analytical account of, the various methods and stages of building revolutionary peasant struggle and organization in light of the revolutionary ideology of Marxism- Leninism -Maoism.
To me it is one of the most outstanding examples of implementing revolutionary massline in peasant struggle.We commemorate 25 years since some historic captures of the harvest took place in 1988 in Bihar.
We also commemorate 20years since land seizure programmes took place in Bihar in 1993..
An important role was also played by the red defense squads.
Struggle report
About 842 families inhabited Biharpada with the total population being 5302. Combining it with several small villages of adjoining Chotagaon a panchayat was constituted and the total population becomes 9000.
It constituted 51% farm labourers;9 % poor peasants possessing about 14 bighas of land and 7 kathas of land:21% middle peasants possessing about 184 bighas of land:about 8% in –service people possessing about 37 bighas of land:4 % business persons and other occupants possessing about 2 bighas of land.The surplus land possessed by landlors is 619 bighas Land possessed illegally by rich peasants is about 7 bighas,and thatby middle peasanst 6 bighas.
The masses were subjugated to various types of oppression like: molestation of women-folk :not paying due wages; ruthless usury; usurping land meant for pastures and pathways, devouring most of government aids; availing the fictitious loans for boring,damaging crops of poor etc. Administrative authorities always took the side of the feudal when injustice was protested against.
The main cause of mass frustration was low wages, inciting of communal riots; usurpation of pastures by feudal and land meant for pathways;restrictions on cutting grass,plucking of vegeatables and use of pastures;inciting of quarrels among the poor ,entangling people in false legal cases, molestation of the women folk etc.
The masses adopted many forms of protest like mass propaganda assembly, procession gherao, demonstration, crop seizure, wall-poster,hand-bill distributions, crop-dage,exposure of superstitions,progation of scientific views Against the armed feudal attacks when no other method is left-the masses added the method of armed self-defence.
The mass struggle was carried out by the worker- peasant organization under the leadership of the party.The main underlying probem is the disparity of land distribution. Whatever the disparity landholding ,there was time in the past when this land belonged to the ancestors of the poor.
The land got ransferred from the ancestors of the poor through deception or it was forcibly ploughed. After rendering them landless the sons and daughters of the same peasants were harnessed for labour from birth.The feudal grew wealthier and wealthier and kept permanent share-croppers.
The land got ransferred from the ancestors of the poor through deception or it was forcibly ploughed. After rendering them landless the sons and daughters of the same peasants were harnessed for labour from birth.The feudal grew wealthier and wealthier and kept permanent share-croppers.
In these circumstances the sharecroppers united to forcibly fight against the landlord tyrant Vikram Singh and Pratap Singh.
In November 1988 the share-croppers sowed the crop and in December the feudal sold the land out of fear.The local feudals then destroyed the crop with the help of illegal rifles and goondas,and re-sowed their crop.
At the end of December ,the activists of the peasant organization roammed door to door in 3 villages explaining the masses about the injustice meted out. Handbills were distributed.
The feudals retaliated by putting the false charge of ‘naxalite’ on the group and approached the police,collector and several ministers.Criminal goondas were posted in several villages at the old ‘kachery ‘of the zamindars.
The goondas threatened the people and warned them that they would face dire consequences if they entered the villages.
The goondas threatened the people and warned them that they would face dire consequences if they entered the villages.
On February 13th,the masses retaliated and captured the kachery of the feudal,beating up the goondas ,and capturing their arms.Panic was now created in the group of the feudal whose limitations were exposed.
8 peasants were implicated after feudal beat 7 people by attack in the night.The women resisted this and the next morning 50 women gheraoed the police inspector responsible for the night –raid.
All the respondents were sent to jail. The government set up police camps in the fields of landlords for protecting the crops.
On 1st March the masses like a surging torrent went to the fields and harvested the crop.The police prevented them but only with great resistance from the people.
On 15th March hundreds of men and women went to harvest the crop and the police arraived.
A major battle took place .one policeman was hurt .The masses returned after harvesting the crops.5 acres of crops were harvested.
A major battle took place .one policeman was hurt .The masses returned after harvesting the crops.5 acres of crops were harvested.
On March 18th, the police tried to arrest the people by raiding their houses in the night.6 innocent peasants were arrested.ome of the crops ripened under the protection of police camps;while the zamindars seized the crops with the aid of guns.