Unite the Union, the biggest trade union in Britain and Ireland representing 1.5 million members, has passed an Emergency Motion at its annual conference in Brighton on the situation in Paraguay, joining the governments of Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Venezuela, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and others in condemning what has been widely termed a “political coup” in Paraguay, where the elected President Lugo has been removed from office by an illegitimate “impeachment” process. Following the passing of the motion, around 70 delegates took place in two photo calls to express their solidarity with those protesting for President Lugo's return in Paraguay and against reported human rights abuses.
Putting the 'political coup' in a continental context, the motion notes that "The progressive wave of recent years in Latin America has many powerful enemies, both from former ruling elites internally and right-wing forces internationally," and concludes that "International support is vital so that democratic and social advances continue."
Commenting on behalf of the VSC and Unite the Union on both the support shown at Unite and the wider solidarity that has been shown in Britain, Unite the Union Assistant General Secretary Tony Burke said, "The wide range of support from across British society - including Unite - for democracy and social progress in Paraguay echoes the increasing international clamour for President Lugo's return."
Notes to Editors:
1) The full text of the motion and the 2 speeches in support of it are reproduced in full.
2) The photos can be viewed here or can be emailed separately. Contact info@venezuelasolidarity.co.uk for further information.
3) Please contact Matthew Willgress for further information on info@venezuelasolidarity.co.uk . A coalition of people will be taking a series of initiatives on Paraguay over the next few days and a number of people are available for media comment. Photos of today’s campaign initiative on the issue are also available for use.
Appendixes: UNITE CONFERENCE EMERGENCY MOTION 2: Coup d’etat in Paraguay
Conference lends its support to the progressive governments of Argentina, Bolivia, Venezuela and Ecuador in condemning the removal of the elected President Lugo in Paraguay, in a process that has been described widely as a “political coup”.
President Lugo has labelled his removal as a blow against Paraguay’s democracy and although accepting he is now out of office has termed it an “express coup d’etat”. Previous to the decision the Lugo government had declared the procedures against him illegal and unconstitutional, views that have been echoed by UNASUR and ALBA.
There have also been reports of human rights abuses from the new regime. For example, activists in the CUT-A (Paraguayan union federation) are reporting that the military have fired live rounds at unarmed protesters and campesino leaders have reported activists killed. Currently tens of thousands of Paraguayans are protesting outside the Parliament for the return of Lugo. They have established a Front for the Defence of Democracy.
The progressive wave of recent years in Latin America has many powerful enemies, both from former ruling elites internally and right-wing forces internationally. International support is vital so that democratic and social advances continue.
Conference resolves to support progressive democratic forces in Paraguay and notes that solidarity work in the UK has initially been co-ordinated by Venezuela Solidarity Campaign and resolves to support VSC in this work.
Proposer: Mike Hedges
Representing: London & Eastern Region
Seconder: Nigel Gawthorpe,
Representing: GPM Sector/ London & Eastern Region
MIKE HEDGES PARAGUAY SPEECH - PROPOSING
Conference, this is an emergency motion in solidarity with the people of Paraguay, who have seen their progressive president removed by a new type of coup in recent days,
President Lugo was given just 24 hours to prepare a defence against an impeachment instituted by a temporary right-wing majority in parliament, using procedures the Lugo government has previously declared illegal and unconstitutional. A hard right president has now been installed; committed to neo-liberalism and closer relations with the US.
Internationally and regionally, the governments of Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Venezuela, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic have condemned what has been described widely as a “political coup.”
President Lugo himself has labelled his removal as a blow against Paraguay's democracy and although accepting he is currently now out of office has termed it an “express coup d’etat.”
From a trade union perspective, there have also been reports of human rights abuses from the new regime.
For example, activists in the CUT-A (Paraguayan union federation) are reporting that the military have fired live rounds at unarmed protesters and campesino leaders have reported activists killed.
The Venezuela Solidarity Campaign has been sent the motion passed by the ITUC affiliate in the Americas, The Confederation of Workers of the Americas (CSA) on Paraguay. In it they share many elements with our motion including condemning:
1. – The coup as “ a blow to democracy”
2. - The situation of violence and impunity that extends in the Paraguayan countryside
3. - The mandatory deadline given to President Lugo to prepare his defense, 24 hours, “and the gross errors of law and constitutional evidence of the arbitrary and undemocratic actions of the parties who control Congress.”
Finally, the CSA closes by calling on “the international trade union movement to express their immediate solidarity with the Paraguayan people and urges the international community to closely follow developments in that country. “ We are doing this today.
Currently tens of thousands of Paraguayans are protesting outside the Parliament for the return of Lugo. They have established a Front for the Defence of Democracy and need our solidarity and support.
Today, at the computer on the VSC stand on the ground floor you can send a message of support to our brothers and sisters in struggle in Paraguay and sign the statement against recognition of the new illegitimate government.
They are also looking for volunteers for a campaign photo shoot immediately at the end of session today – so please join them. Our contacts in Paraguay explain this visual solidarity is vital in showing they are not isolated.
The progressive wave of recent years in Latin America has many powerful enemies, both from former ruling elites internally and right-wing forces internationally. International support is vital so that democratic and social advances continue.
NIGEL GAWTHORPE PARAGUAY SPEECH - SECONDING
Conference, delegates, I may repeat some of what the mover has said but I make no apology for that. Fernando Lugo’s Presidency has been targeted because of the measures his government have taken to help raise the majority of Paraguay’s people out of poverty.
Lugo’s election in 2008 ended over 60 years of single party rule that was in the pockets of Paraguay’s landed elite. They have tried to get rid of him ever since.
This coup is the result of proposed tax raising measures and redistribution of farmland to the poor majority, measures similar to those taken by Morales in Bolivia and Chavez in Venezuela.
Coups against progressive governments are not new – as recently as 2009 the democratically elected President of Honduras was ousted by a military coup and an oppressive regime followed.
We have a proud history of supporting our brothers and sisters in Latin America with our collaborations with Cuba Solidarity, Justice for Colombia and the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign.
In coups it is the ordinary people are the ones who suffer - with our trade union brothers and sisters in the front line.
For this reason we must support our comrades across the water.
This motion calls for us to support progressive democratic forces in Paraguay. They include the tens of thousands of Paraguayans demonstrating outside their Parliament against this coup and in support of Fernando Lugo. These peaceful protesters have been attacked by the military and there are reports that activists have been killed; murdered by the State.
Today on the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign stand on the ground floor you can send a message of support to our brothers and sisters in struggle in Paraguay and sign the statement against recognition of the new, illegitimate government. There is going to be a photo taken at the end of this conference session by the VSC stall to send the message of NO MORE COUPS. Please take part.
By passing this motion conference is sending a message to our government, the European Union and the wider political arena that coups and oppression should not, and will not, be tolerated.
Please support the motion.
