“International solidarity is not an act of charity: It is an act of unity between allies fighting on different terrains toward the same objective. The foremost of these objectives is to aid the development of humanity to the highest level possible” (Samora Machel)
As the world continues to struggle through a period of heightened tension and conflict, Liberation once again reasserts our key values of peace, democracy and internationalism on May Day 2023. May Day reminds us that it is only solidarity between the people’s of all countries which will overcome conflict.
As ever, the common interests of working people across the world underline that there is more that unites the international working class than divides them. The struggle for core rights to peace, health, homes and jobs is a common struggle of working people internationally. Without these basic securities many are condemned to lives of uncertainty, poverty and oppression.
The economic and military inequity which the United States is making every effort to maintain, by insisting upon its role as global policeman, is however being challenged.
The growing economic strength of China presents a challenge to the unipolar hegemony the United States has enjoyed for over 30 years and is keen to maintain. The provocations of the US against China, through overtly supporting the arming of Taiwan and establishing the AUKUS military alliance with the UK and Australia, are clearly dangers to both regional stability in the Indo-Pacific area, as well as being a threat to world peace.
US dominance in the economic sphere is also challenged by the latest developments by the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) to challenge the dominance of the dollar and, through the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB), provide 30% of loans to member states in the period to 2026 in local currencies.
The racist nature of the Illegal Migration Bill, currently going through Parliament in the UK will further undermine the ability of many to seek asylum and push the blame for the migrant crisis upon the victims rather than the perpetrators.
Those fleeing violence and war are not those initiating conflicts, which have largely occurred as a result of Western policy in the Middle East and Africa, resulting in the huge displacement of those affected. The current crisis in the Sudan has its roots in the colonial history of UK domination of the country and the struggle to establish democratic structures in the post colonial environment.
The European Union continues with its policy of attempting to reduce migrants and refugees from North Africa by paying millions of Euros to a range of dubious warlords and militias, contracted to stem the flow of potential migrants to Europe.
The fragile situation remains in Ukraine with the continuing supply of arms from the NATO Alliance being an impediment to peace negotiations, although efforts on the part of both China and Brazil to break the deadlock are to be welcomed. In any event, the objective should be to find a peaceful solution in the interests of the people of both Russia and Ukraine, with diplomacy being prioritised over weapons sales.
Campaigns worldwide for peace, democracy and human rights are central to the struggle for equality and against injustice.
Wars of intervention continue to the detriment of the peoples of many countries in the world. Self-determination remains an issue in the struggle for justice for the Palestinian people and is likely to be made worse by the policy and actions of the new Israeli administration.
Not only does Palestinian land continue to be occupied in contravention of United Nations resolutions by Israeli forces, the religious fundamentalists in the current government openly fail to recognise any Palestinian claim to territory. Daily life becomes more difficult for the working people of Palestine as the Israeli land, air and sea blockade imposed upon Gaza, continues to restrict access to basic goods and health care provision.
The reality of poverty, injustice and uncertainty in the daily lives of working people across the world is exacerbated by war, occupation and the ensuing migrant crises. It is exacerbated by the climate crisis and increasing environmental degradation.
On the occasion of May Day 2023 Liberation repeats its determination to back the call for a new international economic order; supports the cancellation of the debt burden imposed upon already impoverished nations; seeks the re-establishment of a movement towards non-alignment; and calls for the settlement of international disputes in line with UN resolutions.
These demands should be central to a progressive foreign policy for the UK, one based upon the principles of peace and co-operation, not weapons sales and wars of foreign intervention.
Peace, democracy and social justice are core to the ethos of May Day and central to the campaigning priorities of Liberation. These goals will only be achieved through solidarity action and unity amongst the workers of all nations. Neo-colonialism and imperialism have shown that they do not have the answers to the problems faced by the majority of the world’s citizens.
It is time to make way for a truly new world order based upon the needs of the people not just the desire for profit for the few.
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