Our Annual General Meeting took place this weekend with keynote speeches from Brian Leishman MP and Prof. John Foster.
As the new Parliamentary Chair of Liberation, Mr Leishman emphasised the need to grow the numbers of MPs associated with the organisation’s work, in order to develop a greater understanding of the importance of international solidarity.
Mr Leishman stressed the importance of utilising the options which Parliament presented to raise questions regarding the position of the UK on international developments, as well as emphasising the need to continue building upon the positive relationships with trade unions and partner solidarity organisations.
Prof. Foster gave and overview of the history of Liberation, established as the Movement for Colonial Freedom in 1954, stressing the ongoing importance of its role today as the world faces a new Cold War with pressure from the West on China and the Global South.
>>> Listen to professor Foster’s speech on audio
On behalf of the Liberation Executive, Liz Payne, Chairing the AGM, welcomed the contributions of both speakers.
“We have had some excellent input from our keynote speakers, which has underlined the significance of the work of Liberation to date and emphasised why we need to build our strength as we go forward”, she said. “I am confident that our influence and contribution to meeting the challenges of campaigning and international solidarity work, will continue to grow in the coming year.”
The AGM went on to adopt key motions on resuming talks on the creation of a bizonal bicommunal federal Cyprus and the closure of British bases there; to support the peace struggle in Sudan; to continue to support the struggle of the Iranian people against the theocratic dictatorship and foreign intervention under any pretext; and to strengthen the role of Liberation organisationally.
An emergency motion opposing the Israeli blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the continued incursions of the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) was agreed unanimously.
The motion called for “the immediate cessation of all military cooperation and arms trade with Israel on the part of the British government”, as well as demanding that the British government “press for an end to Israel’s blockade of food and medical assistance to the Palestinian people.”
Motions agreed at our AGM and Liberation’s Executive Report
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