No War on Iran!

The greedy eyes of US imperialism are focusing again on the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Trump administration is rapidly coming under the control of the most aggressive sections of the American ruling class such as the big oil corporations that covet Iran’s oil reserves and see Iran’s militant Shia Muslim doctrines as a threat to the feudal Arab oil princes that serve their interests in the Middle East.

Many, even in the imperialist camp, are questioning the ludicrous Pentagon claim that Iran was behind the mysterious attacks on oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. The Iranians say the US or their stooges did it themselves in a ‘false flag’ operation designed to provide the pretext for a US attack on the Islamic Republic.

The Americans have provided no evidence purporting to show an Iranian patrol boat alongside one of the tankers, the Japanese Kokuka Courageous, which they claim was taken by one of their helicopters. Why the Iranians would chose to target a Japanese ship at the very moment when the prime minister of Japan was visiting Iran beggars belief.

The sinister forces that pull the strings in Washington doubtless think that the American public will believe any old rubbish these days. They used the same trick when their Syrian pawns used poison gas against their own people to demonise Assad’s popular front government last year.

We cannot influence American public opinion let along the government of the day. But we can struggle to ensure that US imperialism’s venal supporters in the British government don’t drag us into another Iraq-style war.

No war on Iran! Stop this war before it starts!

Battle of the Bores

The spectacle of Tory grandees in the TV hustings this week may boost their chances in the race to become leader of the Conservative Party and, by default, the next resident of 10 Downing Street. But whoever takes over from Mrs May is a matter of indifference to workers, who have no say in the decision-making process of the party that has been the political wing of the bourgeoisie in Britain for the last 100 years. That, however, is no longer the case.

Brexit has divided the ruling class down the middle, with those who believe British imperialism’s best interests are served by continued membership of the European Union (EU) in the Remainder camp whilst the Eurosceptics believe their future is better insured in an even closer alliance with US imperialism. This division was reflected in the close but decisive Brexit referendum result in 2016 and the split amongst the bourgeois media. But Remainers are a minority amongst Tory MPs and all the wannabee leaders are at pains to stress their Brexit credentials for the benefit of the faithful who ultimately will gift one of them the accolade when the all-members postal ballot takes place next month.

All of them, including the front-runner Boris Johnson, claim they will succeed where Mrs May failed. But all they have to offer are variations on two alternatives that have both been rejected by this fractious Parliament. There’s no majority for Mrs May’s “withdrawal plan”, which would keep Britain within the EU in all but name. Nor is there one for a “no-deal” Brexit, which was what most of us thought we voted for in the referendum in the first place.

The new Tory leader will achieve nothing apart from getting another extension of the withdrawal deadline from Brussels. The Eurocrats will play ball because it keeps us within the EU and buys more time to create the conditions for a second referendum. None of this is of any benefit to working people. There’s got to be another general election. The sooner the better.

Solidarity with the people of Sudan and the Sudanese Communist Party

As the Communist and workers' parties, we express our support and our solidarity towards the struggle of the Sudanese people against the military junta regime, for democratic and social rights.

They condemn the murderous repressive reprisal of the regime against the massive peaceful demonstrations sweeping the country, killing dozens of protesters, wounding hundreds of others.

The junta of Sudan, which is supported by the imperialist organizations of the World Bank and the IMF, as well as from various capitalist countries internationally and in the region, has led the vast majority of the population to live a life of misery, hunger and poverty. At the same time, it continues to support the invasion of Yemen by Saudi Arabia with military troops.

Our parties condemn these anti-people choices of the junta and well as the violence that it has unleashed against the working class and popular strata of the country; we express the solidarity of communists towards the people of Sudan and the Sudanese Communist Party.

SolidNet Parties

1. PADS, Algeria
2. Communist Party of Australia
3. Communist Party of Bangladesh
4. Communist Party of Belgium
5. Workers Party of Belgium
6. Communist Party of Brazil
7. Communist Party of Belgium
8. New Communist Party of Britain
9. Communist Party of Britain
10. Communist Party of Canada
11. Communist Party of Chile
12. Socialist Workers' Party of Croatia
13. AKEL
14. Communist Party of Bohemia & Moravia
15. Communist Party in Denmark
16. French Communist Party
17. German Communist Party
18. Communist Party of Greece
19. Hungarian Workers’ Party
20. Tudeh Party of Iran
21. Iraqi Communist Party
22. Communist Party of Kurdistan-Iraq
23. Communist Party of Israel
24. Communist Party (Italy)
25. Jordanian Communist Party
26. Lebanese Communist Party
27. Communist Party of Luxembourg
28. Communist Party of Malta
29. New Communist Party of the Netherlands
30. Palestinian Communist Party
31. Palestinian Peoples Party
32. Philippine Communist Party [PKP 1930]
33. Portuguese Communist Party
34. Romanian Socialist Party
35. Communist Party of the Russian Federation
36. Union of Communist Parties-CPSU
37. Communists of Serbia
38. Communist Party of the Workers of Spain
39. Communist Party of the People of Spain
40. Communists of Catalonia
41. Communist Party of Sri Lanka
42. Syrian Communist Party
43. Syrian Communist Party (Unified)
44. Communist Party of Turkey
45. Communist Party of Ukraine 
46. Communist Party USA

Other Parties

1. Pole of Communist Revival, France
2. Galizan People’s Union (UPG)
3. Party of Communists USA

Against the ban of communism in Poland

joint statement of communist and workers' parties

 

Anti-communist persecution in Poland intensifies as the state authorities attempt to criminalize the communist activity by changes of the penal code. This is an element of the anti-communist campaign aimed at banning the Communist Party of Poland. The legal changes are also a part of the persecution such as a trial of the members of the CPP and the Brzask editorial board, lasting for about 3,5 years, despite the fact that the court on January declared them as innocent. At the same time the Polish authorities raise other obstacles to the communist activity as well as falsifying the history and destroying anything connected with communism and the Peoples' Poland.

The amendments to the penal code, including the ban of communist activity (article 256) were made just 10 days before the elections to the European Parliament. They mean heavier, unacceptable punishments and widening scope of punishable crimes. The changes are numerous and concern 105 out of 360 articles of the code. The government presented the changes as a reaction on the paedophilia scandal among the Catholic priests and related to this crime. However, just a few amendments concern it.

The reactionary changes have been proceded very hastily. On the 14th of May, the project was sent by the government to the parliament. The next day the Sejm (the lower chamber) started the legislative procedure and on 16th of May, it was voted and passed by the Sejm. Later it was passed to the upper chamber – Senate, which added further 43 amendments, and now returns to be voted in Sejm. The government has the majority in both chambers so it would not have any problems with passing the amendments. Next, the new law should be signed by the president. There is a widespread opinion of lawyers that changes of the code violate the constitution and human rights. However, the Constitutional Court is currently controlled by the judges nominated by the government.

Amended article 256 bans communism and equates it with Nazism and fascism. Previously it penalised the promotion of the „fascist or other totalitarian systems of the state". 10 years ago there was already an attempt to ban the communist symbols with the same article, it was met with internal and international protests and in 2011 it was cancelled by the Constitutional Court. However, in recent years the law was used very widely as shows the history of the trial of the CPP and Brzask. The new version of the law bans the ideology, symbols or any other contents (prints, recordings), as well as presentation and possession of any symbol of this content. The new code also increases the penalty from 2 to 3 years of imprisonment.

The Communist Parties oppose the anti-communist campaign and penalisation of communist ideas in Poland.  We demand all the prosecutions against the communists to be stopped immediately

SolidNet Parties

1. PADS, Algeria
2. Communist Party of Australia
3. Party of Labour of Austria
4. Communist Party of Bangladesh
5. Communist Party of Belgium
6. Communist Party of Brazil
7. Communist Party of Britain
8. New Communist Party of Britain
9. Communist Party of Canada
10. Communist Party of Chile
11. Socialist Workers' Party of Croatia
12. AKEL
13. Communist Party of Bohemia & Moravia
14. Communist Party in Denmark
15. French Communist Party
16. German Communist Party
17. Communist Party of Greece
18. Hungarian Workers’ Party
19. Tudeh Party of Iran
20. Iraqi Communist Party
21. Communist Party of Kurdistan-Iraq
22. Communist Party of Ireland
23. Workers Party of Ireland
24. Communist Party of Israel
25. Communist Party (Italy)
26. Jordanian Communist Party
27. Socialist Movement of Kazakhstan
28. Lebanese Communist Party
29. Communist Party of Luxembourg
30. Communist Party of Malta
31. New Communist Party of the Netherlands
32. Communist Party of Pakistan
33. Palestinian Communist Party
34. Palestinian Peoples Party
35. Philippine Communist Party [PKP 1930]
36. Portuguese Communist Party
37. Romanian Socialist Party
38. Communist Party of the Russian Federation
39. Union of Communist Parties-CPSU
40. Russian Communist Workers Party
41. Communists of Serbia
42. Communist Party of the Workers of Spain
43. Communist Party of the People of Spain
44. Communists of Catalonia
45. Communist Party of Sri Lanka
46. Syrian Communist Party
47. Syrian Communist Party (Unified)
48. Communist Party of Turkey
49. Communist Party of Ukraine 
50. Communist Party USA

Other Parties 

1. Pole of Communist Revival in France
2. Galizan People’s Union (UPG)
3. Party of Communists USA

No to Sanctions and No to War on Iran!

joint statement of the communist and workers parties on the heightening of tensions and dangers of US War on Iran

The undersigned communist and workers parties express their grave concern about the recent developments in the Persian Gulf which pose significant threats to world peace.

The pronouncements of the US administration clearly indicate that it intends to deploy every tool at its disposal to coerce the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) to submit to its hegemonic designs in the region. 

They recall the decision of the Trump administration in May 2018 - in complete contravention of world public opinion - to take the USA out of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) agreement with Iran. This decision, taken despite global appeals, including by the UN, has significantly increased tension in the region and has raised the threat of a new devastating war in the Middle East.

They have been concerned about the imposition of economic, banking and monetary sanctions on Iran, which has undermined its economy and resulted in the widespread closure of factories, economic freefall and an increase in unemployment and poverty. 

The communist and workers parties strongly condemn the US administration and its hawkish representatives such as Mike Pompeo and John Bolton for initiating the rising tension and threats of military action on Iran, as well as the use of economic sanctions as a means of starving the people of Iran into submission.  It further believes that these actions are having a disastrous impact upon the continuing struggle of the Iranian people for peace, sovereignty and social justice, as well as for human and democratic rights.

The aim of US policy regarding Iran is to secure the undisputed domination of US imperialism and its allies in the region.  The actions and policies of the US administration on Iran have been and continue to be coordinated with those of the governments of Israel and Saudi Arabia.

They are concerned that if the current escalation of aggression by the US and its allies in the Middle East is not curtailed and reversed, the potential for a new and disastrous war, with unpredictable consequences for peace and stability in the region and globally, is real and enormous.

The peace-loving forces of the world must work in unison to promote détente and denounce foreign intervention in Iran’s domestic affairs.

The future of Iran and its political system is a matter that should be determined by the Iranian people and them alone. The communist and workers parties, together with all progressive forces in Iran, reject foreign intervention in their country under any pretext.

They call on all forces campaigning for peace and disarmament globally to condemn the US administration and its Saudi and Israeli allies’ politics of confrontation with the Islamic Republic of Iran in contravention of the UN Charter.

We say No to Sanctions and No to War on Iran!

The names of the parties signing this statement:

SolidNet Parties

1. PADS, Algeria
2. Communist Party of Australia
3. Party of Labour of Austria
4. Communist PArty of Austria
5. Communist Party of Bangladesh
6. Communist Party of Belgium
7. Workers Party of Belgium
8. Communist Party of Brazil
9. Communist Party of Britain
10. New Communist Party of Britain
11. Communist Party of Canada
12. Communist Party of Chile
13. Socialist Workers' Party of Croatia
14. AKEL (Cyprus)
15. Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia
16. Communist Party in Denmark
17. Communist Party of Finland
18. French Communist Party
19. German Communist Party 
20. Communist Party of Greece
21. Hungarian Workers’ Party
22. Communist Party of India
23. Communist Party of India (Marxist)
24. Tudeh Party of Iran
25. Iraqi Communist Party
26. Communist Party of Kurdistan-Iraq
27. Communist Party of Ireland
28. Workers Party of Ireland
29. Communist PArty of Israel
30. Communist Party (Italy)
31. Communist Refoundation Party
32. Jordanian Communist Party
33. Socialist Movement of Kazakhstan
34. Lebanese Communist Party
35. Socialist Party, Lithuania
36. Communist Party of Luxembourg
37. Communist Party of Malta
38. Communist Party of Mexico
39. Popular Socialist Party- National Political Association, Mexico
40. Nepal Communist Party
41. Communist Party of Norway
42. New Communist Party of the Netherlands
43. Communist Party of Pakistan
44. Palestinian Communist Party
45. Palestinian Peoples Party
46. Philippine Communist Party [PKP 1930]
47. Communist Party of Poland
48. Portuguese Communist Party
49. Romanian Socialist Party
50. Communist Party of Russian Federation
51. Union of Communist Parties-CPSU
52. Communists of Serbia
53. South African Communist Party
54. Communist Party of Spain
55. Communist Party of the Peoples of Spain
56. Communist Party of the Workers of Spain
57. Communists of Catalonia
58. Communist Party of Sri Lanka
59. Sudanese Communist Party
60. Communist Party of Sweden
61. Syrian Communist Party
62. Syrian Communist Party (Unified)
63. Communist Party of Turkey
64. Communist Party of Ukraine
65. Communist Party USA
66. Communist Party of Venezuela

Other Parties 

1. Galizan People’s Union (UPG)
2. Party of Communists USA
3. Party for Socialism and Liberation, USA

Joint Statement on Syria

For the past eight years, the people of Syria have defended their motherland, decisively and heroically. They have manifested a remarkable and honourable resistance, that hasn’t ceased for one moment in these years, despite the unmeasurable suffering they have been dragged into. It has already had its place in the great history of humanity. 

As the following communist and workers’ parties, we denounce in the strongest way possible the imperialist intervention of US and its allies, that has created one of the greatest tragedies of the 21st century. We have no doubt that those who have forced people to live this tragedy for the interests of the big capital, for the profit of the exploiters, they will be accounted for their outrageous barbaric crimes before history. We have no doubt that the enemies of the people will get their dirty, filthy hands out of Syria. 

We express our deep and unconditional solidarity with the working people of Syria, and their vanguard communist parties. In support with Syrian people, we appeal for a solidarity mission in Damascus. 

We demand the end of imperialist aggression and we fully respect the independence, full sovereignty and the integrity of the national territory of Syria. We emphasize once again that the decision regarding the future of Syria belongs only to peoples of Syria.

Hands off Syria!
Long live the internationalist solidarity!


SolidNet Parties

1. PADS, Algeria
2. Communist Party of Australia
3. Party of Labour of Austria
4. Communist Party of Bangladesh
5. Communist Party of Belgium
6. Communist Party of Brazil
7. New Communist Party of Britain
8. Communist Party of Britain
9. Communist Party of Canada
10. Communist Party of Chile
11. Socialist Workers' Party of Croatia
12. AKEL
13. Communist Party of Bohemia & Moravia
14. Communist Party in Denmark
15. German Communist Party
16. Communist Party of Greece
17. Hungarian Workers’ Party
18. Tudeh Party of Iran
19. Communist Party of Kurdistan-Iraq
20. Communist Party of Ireland
21. Workers Party of Ireland
22. Communist Party of Israel
23. Communist Party (Italy)
24. Socialist Movement of Kazakhstan
25. Jordanian Communist Party
26. Lebanese Communist Party
27. Communist Party of Luxembourg
28. Communist Party of Malta
29. New Communist Party of the Netherlands
30. Communist Party of Pakistan
31. Palestinian Communist Party
32. Palestinian Peoples Party
33. Philippine Communist Party [PKP 1930]
34. Portuguese Communist Party
35. Romanian Socialist Party
36. Communist Party of the Russian Federation
37. Union of Communist Parties-CPSU
38. Communists of Serbia
39. Communist Party of the Workers of Spain
40. Communist Party of the People of Spain
41. Communists of Catalonia
42. Communist Party of Sri Lanka
43. Syrian Communist Party
44. Syrian Communist Party (Unified)
45. Communist Party of Turkey
46. Communist Party of Ukraine 
47. Communist Party USA

Other Parties 

1. Pole of Communist Revival in France
   
2. New Communist Party of Aotearoa
3. Party of Communists USA