Category: Statements

Statement by “Comunistas” on recent events in Cuba

Wame Handa

On 1 January 2021, the reform of the Cuban monetary system came into effect. It marks the end of the dual currency system and is part of a process of liberalization of the economy that began ten years ago, with the opening up of several sectors to private capital. These measures were inevitably accompanied by the rebirth of a bourgeoisie in Cuba, with, in addition to the deepening of inequalities, a cultural and ideological impact. We reproduce below a statement published at the end of November on the blog Comunistas…

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Let us unite to defeat the government’s brutal act of killing prisoners!

Wame Handa

Movement for Equal Rights The Police and the Special Task Force (STF) intervention in a clash between inmates at Mahara Prison and the prison administration led to massive repression in the night of the 29 November in Sri Lanka. By 1 December, 11 detainees have been killed and, 117 have been hospitalised with injuries. As there are more than ten inmates are in a critical stage, the death toll is likely to rise further. The tragedy began as of the necessary facilities were not available for inmates in prison to…

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Assassination and assault of prisoners at Mahara Prison

Wame Handa

Press Release Assassination and assault of prisoners at Mahara Prison Nine unarmed prisoners have been shot dead and more than 70 others have been injured and hospitalized after being fired at them allegedly by prison officials during an incident at the Mahara Prison. These prisoners have been imprisoned or remanded on court orders to keep them safe in government custody. We seriously accuse the government for failing to protect the lives of prisoners held under government protection. While we strongly condemn this brutal act we must say that this is…

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World Fisheries Day Statement – 2020

Wame Handa

Let us build a strong social movement to assert people’s rights in the face of blue economic challenges National Fisheries Solidarity Movement has approached to its important milestone in the struggle of achieving and ensuring the rights of the small scale fishers, working people, marginalized groups and peoples those who face injustice in the 23 complicated journey of the organization. We have overcome the all challenges that we faced in the historical journey.  We are commemorating the world fisheries day in the movement of facing the whole people to the…

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Whoever Wins, This Election Is Not the End of Trumpism

samantha_rajapaksa

USA PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS Whoever Wins, This Election Is Not the End of Trumpism Sunday 8 November 2020, by Barry Eidlin Joe Biden and the Democrats have steadfastly refused to articulate a compelling alternative political vision to Donald Trump’s reactionary right-wing politics. Trump looks likely to have lost, but without creating an alternative to defeat it, Trumpism could return with a vengeance four years from now. The results are still being tallied, but the electoral contest between Donald Trump and Joe Biden is far tighter than polls had predicted. An estimated 160…

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Britain

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Solidarity with Jeremy Corbyn – Fight the witch-hunt Tuesday 3 November 2020, by Socialist Resistance Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was suspended from the Labour Party on Thursday 29 October. While the action was technically taken by Labour’s General Secretary David Evan it is inconceivable that it did not have the agreement of Corbyn’s successor as Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer. The suspension took place after Corbyn issued a statement in response to the publication of a report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) into Labour’s handling of…

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URGENT APPEAL with regard to plight of Manpower workers in self-quarantine

samantha_rajapaksa

We, the undersigned organisations and unions working on behalf of FTZ and Manpower workers, call on the Government – Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour, the Presidential Task Force to combat COVID-19, the Board of Investment (BOI) and the Ministry Level (Tripartite) Task Force to respond to the impacts of COVID-19 on Employment, to respond to the following urgent demands; – To provide urgent relief rations, essentials and medicines to workers in mandatory self-quarantine. Here’s a list of some of the COVID Funds received from Corporates, foreign Governments and IFIs to date. We trust…

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Public Statement on the Government management of the COVID-19 response

samantha_rajapaksa

The followng is a public statement (in all 3 languages), signed by 105 individuals and 35 unions/movements/networks/organisations, calling on the Govt. to be responsive to the needs of the people and change course immediately with regard to their current response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka.  The government must recognise that the discriminatory practices it is adopting with regard to managing the COVID pandemic, is ultimately putting all the people of the country at risk.  It is essential that the government be more transparent and accountable in how it manages the pandemic…

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Problems faced by employees in the Katunayake Free Trade Zone

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October 20, 2020 Hon. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakshe Prime Minister’s Office Colombo 7. Dear Prime Minister Problems faced by employees in the Katunayake Free Trade Zone With the spread of the second wave of Covid 19 to the Katunayake Free Trade Zone workers working in those factories and the workers staying in the boarding houses around the zone have faced a number of serious difficulties. 1. Due to the curfew imposed in the area, all except those who go to work, are unable to go to shops to buy essential…

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Complaint to the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka on unsafe Quarantine process of Garment Factory Workers

samantha_rajapaksa

16th Oct. 2020  Inquiring Officer, Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, 14, R.A. De Mel Mawatha, Colombo-04 Dear Madam/Sir, URGENTComplaint to the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL)on unsafe Quarantine process of Garment Factory Workers We, Chamila Thushari, Chandra Devanarayana, Ashila Dandeniya & Sr. Noel Christine Fernando, represent organisations that work extensively with Free Trade Zone (FTZ) factory workers who are majority women. We are submitting this Complaint to bring this grave issue to the attention of the HRCSL, and to initiate an inquiry into the arbitrary illegal manner in…

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