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International Terrorism, Global Security
and Building Democratic AfghanistanEuropean Federation of Green Parties 12th Council Meeting Hungary, Budapest, 30 November–2 December 2001 Adopted Resolution
Green Party of the United States:
media release regarding this statement #(below)
EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF GREEN PARTIES
EFGP 12th Council Meeting Hungary, Budapest,
30 November–2 December 2001
Adopted ResolutionInternational Terrorism, Global Security and Building Democratic Afghanistan
1. New era for global security.
The European Greens, deeply concerned at the terrorist attacks of the September 11 2001, the humanitarian crisis and war in Afghanistan, and the new round of violence in Israeli-Palestine conflict, are asking the UN and the governments to form new global peace policy for the 21st century and to find juridical and political means to fight international terrorism, to end conflicts and to foster peaceful societies where the human rights of all people are guaranteed.
They reaffirm their political orientations aiming the building of a new international security system, supported by law, the joined management of police and justice functions, the prevention of risks and conflicts, a strategy of resorption of global inequalities, the non-proliferation of massive destruction weapons and technologies, the fight against economical and financial corruption. The new situation should be seen as a challenge to strengthen global security through the UN and through international, non-violent action.
2. Condemnation of international terrorist attacks.
The European Greens reiterates its condemnation of the international terrorist attacks of September 11 2001. We also condemn the act of bio terrorism that have been taking place after September 11 in the form of anthrax attacks and has been a concern all over the world. We express our solidarity with the people of the United States and our sympathy with the injured and the bereaved families of the victims from the USA and many other countries. We recognize the heroism displayed by the emergency services of New York and Washington, notably the fire fighters, many of whom gave their lives to save others.
3. Crimes against humanity.
The Sep 11 attacks must be considered as crimes against humanity and as crimes against international peace and security. It is important that all states will co-operate under international law in finding the perpetrators still alive, and that these people should face an international criminal court envisaged for this purpose—not a military tribunal—where they should be tried on the basis of clear-cut evidence.
4. The International Criminal Court.
As part of the global governance new effective multilateral instruments are needed to combat terrorism. Current events have shown existing instruments and international co-operation to be highly unsatisfactory. Therefore the European Greens are strongly supporting the establishment of The International Criminal Court, which in the future should have sufficient mandate and means to deal with all acts against humanity, including terrorism. The Greens are calling all governments to ratify the treaty on The International Criminal Court as soon as possible.
5. No military action against civilians— Ending violence in Afghanistan.
These crimes should be countered by justice, not revenge. The criminals must be found, arrested, disarmed, tried and punished. So we condemn military action against civilian targets. The international community should exert all its influence to prevent massacres and acts of revenge of the anti-Taleban forces against defeated forces and all use of violence against civilian population against the civil population.
The Talebans have to be treated as prisoners of war, according to the existing international conventions. Also every political effort should be made to prevent new fighting between different anti-Taleban forces.
6. Humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.
The reports by organizations working on the ground in Afghanistan show that a new humanitarian crisis for many Afghans is imminent when Afghan refugees are now returning back to their homes. Therefore the European Greens are asking the UN to co-ordinate all humanitarian assistance that is needed in the region and all international humanitarian organizations, the EU and all the governments to insure that all humanitarian aid that is needed will be given to help the situation of people in Afghanistan and in the region. The European Greens are strongly urging to open all borders, including the Uzhbekistan-Afghanistan border, for humanitarian aid.
7. The role of women in the new Afghan government.
It is vital that the international community now works harder than ever to encourage a stable democratic government in Afghanistan. The European Greens are supporting the efforts under the aegis of the UN to create a democratic, multi-ethnic and broad-based Afghan Government.
We are deeply convinced that in this process the women in Afghanistan must have an important role and they should fully take part in these negotiations. Women should also play an equal role in the whole Afghan society.
8. Strengthening regional stability.
The fight against international terrorism must not lead to the struggle of cultures which would only contribute to the increasing fundamentalism.
It is therefore necessary to ensure the maximum political support to all the democratic forces operating in Afghanistan and the neighboring countries in order to strengthen the already weak stability of the region. The reconstruction of the civil infrastructure and substantial help for the domestic economy is a precondition for a democratic political solution. Therefore we call for a new Stability Pact-like framework for Afghanistan and for the region, financed by the international community. The Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe could be as a model for this. As all the northern neighbors of Afghanistan, like Kirghistan, Uzhbekistan and Tadjikistan, are also members of the OSCE, also OSCE should be used as a tool to strengthen stability. The European Greens also express their deep concern on the dangerous tensions of the Kazhmir conflict where confidence building measures are immediately needed.
9. Protect the civil liberties.
In many countries, anti-terrorism action and new legislation is taking place. The European Greens are concerned that in some countries there is already evidence that a wide definition of terrorism has resulted in innocent people and organizations being made targets when exercising their legitimate right to peaceful and democratic resistance. The Greens do not accept any unneeded act to limit civil liberties in the name of anti-terrorism action.
10. Minority rights and fundamental human rights should be respected.
The current global action against terrorism should not be used as an opportunity by countries to conduct repression against their own national, cultural, religious or ethnic minorities. The European Greens are following with concern the activities like those of the Russian authorities in Chechnya and of the Chinese authorities in Xinjang and in Tibet.
11. An independent Palestinian state.
The terrorist attacks in the USA, being acts against humanity, cannot be justified or understood in the framework of any ongoing international political conflicts. Anyhow, to eliminate the ground for any such acts in the future, it is important to build on justice, democracy, environmentally and socially sustainable development and respect of human rights all over the world. For this reason the European Greens call for the unconditional resumption of international negotiations in order to create an independent and viable Palestinian state respecting the right of Israël to live in security. A lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian problem would be of great help in the fight against the so-called ‘Islamic fundamentalist inspired’ terrorism.
12. No military action against so-called “rogue states.”
The European Greens are worried about the indications of the US Administration to undertake military action against the so-called “rogue states” like Iraq and Somalia. We agree to put political and economic pressure on all states which do not strictly condemn terrorist actions, but further military actions would harm the existing international coalition against terrorism and could only lead to an ongoing radicalization among fundamentalists.
13. The UN should be strengthened.
The United Nations is the only global platform that we have and the only suitable forum to deal with the new challenges of global governance, like international action against terrorism. All actions taken internationally should be in the limits of the UN Charter and should respect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The UN funding should be secured, and the UN must be democratized and strengthened at all levels.
http://www.europeangreens.org/
THE GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
MEDIA RELEASE: Thursday, December 13, 2001
Contacts: Nancy Allen, Scott McLarty, Media Coordinators
European Greens Release a Statement Supporting International Cooperation in Response to the September 11 Attacks
WASHINGTON, DC. The European Federation of Green Parties (EFGP) published a resolution opposing the unilateral military action by the US in Afghanistan in retaliation for the September 11 attacks and urging internationally cooperative efforts to resolve conflicts in Israel and Palestine and in central Asia. 31 Green Parties from 31 nations are represented in the EFGP.
“We’re pleased that our European brothers and sisters have chosen to support in principle the position of the Green Party of the United States in the demand for adherence to international law and respect for human rights,” said David Cobb, a Texas Green and Legal Counsel for the national party.
The statement expressly opposes President Bush’s order for military tribunals to try those implicated in the September 11 attacks. The use of secret military tribunals and the possible imposition of the death penalty may complicate efforts by the US to have suspects extradited from some European countries.
The EFGP’s member parties include representatives in parliaments and national legislatures and other national officials throughout Europe.