IFLRY

IFLRY: Don’t silence love in St. Petersburg

iflry — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:51:00 GMT

This week, the city legislature of St. Petersburg (Russia) will deal in a third and final reading with a discriminatory bill against the LGBT community. The International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) is highly concerned by this bill that would silence thousands of people and take away their right to express themselves.

The bill in St. Petersburg has already passed the first two readings with an overwhelming majority and will most likely pass the third, which would make proposal into actual law. Only deputies from the liberal party Yabloko voted against it. It is not the first regional anti-LGBT initiative in Russia. In last years, other regions have introduced similar laws. But as St. Petersburg is often considered to be one of Russia’s most modern cities, one can only fear that the anti-LGBT bill will become a national trend.

The law, intended to protect the “moral and spiritual development” of minors, would effectively ban the discussion or publication on any ***, gay, bisexual or transgender related topic. According to IFLRY, it is not only an infringement on freedom, but will also create fear and more taboos. If approved, Russian children will grow up on a lie, where authorities will dictate whom one can love.

Last November, the city legislature of St. Petersburg postponed the bill after international pressure. IFLRY joins those organizations again to show that the young liberal community of the world will fight against any initiatives that take away the people’s right to express themselves. IFLRY hopes that the authorities in St. Petersburg will reconsider this intiative and that they will promote a tolerant St. Petersburg that respects each individual’s rights and freedoms.

IFLRY condemns Syrian government’s slaughter in Homs

iflry — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:48:00 GMT

February 10th, 2012

The International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) expresses it strong condemnation of the ongoing manslaughter committed by the Syrian government against innocent civilians in Homs city, stressing the need to stop the escalating bloodshed.

The government troops have been bombing residential areas in Homs, killing more than two hundred innocent people during a relentless military shelling campaign. As a result, international diplomats are evacuating and Syrian citizens and other protesters gathered outside the Syrian embassies in different Arab countries and around the world to protest this massacre. IFLRY joins the international liberal community’s strong condemnation of the massacre by the Syrian government.

IFLRY believes that the international efforts should be focused on bringing the bloodshed in Syria to an immediate end, paving the way for the initiation of a political transition process in line with the legitimate demands and aspirations of the Syrian people. At the same time, IFLRY denounces the use of the veto power by Russia and China to block a UN Security Council Resolution that would have condemned the Assad regime's brutal crackdown on dissenters.

Since the beginning of anti-government protests in March 2011, Syrian security forces have killed more than 5,000 protesters, injured many more, and arbitrarily arrested tens of thousands across the country, subjecting them to torture in detention. IFLRY calls on the international community to continue to investigate and expose human rights violations and hold abusers accountable and urges governments and those in power to end abusive practices.
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IFLRY Freedom Award Laureate Maikel Nabil finally free

iflry — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:40:00 GMT

Today, blogger and IFLRY Freedom Award Laureate Maikel Nabil is finally free. He was sentenced to two years in prison but after national and international pressure, he has was one of 1,959 who were granted release. The International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) welcomes this release, but would also like to urge for continued pressure until Egypt is truly democratic.

Maikel Nabil Sanad has been a blogger and activist for several years in Egypt. From 2006 until recently, Maikel Nabil has used the internet to mobilize public opinion for values such as human rights, peace and democracy. He was part of IFLRY’s official delegation to the Liberal International Congress in 2009 in Cairo. Maikel Nabil was arrested on 28 March 2011 in his home in Cairo for criticizing the army through Facebook. On 10 April, he was initially sentenced to three years in jail by a military court, even though Maikel Nabil is a civilian. From 23 August until 31 December Maikel Nabil was on a hunger strike in protest against his continued imprisonment.

In August, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) admitted that some 12,000 civilians across the country had been tried by military courts following grossly unfair trials. At least 13 have been sentenced to death. Maikel Nabil and others like him have been put in a cruel condition for many months. And although Maikel Nabil has been released, it should not be forgotten that he was pardoned rather than found innocent. This is why IFLRY supports Amnesty International’s call for the expunge of his criminal record and for him to be compensated for his ordeal.

IFLRY President Thomas Leys comments: “Maikel Nabil’s release is a victory for the freedom of expression. Moreover, as a civilian, Maikel Nabil should never have been tried before a military court. The right to a fair trial and the right to freedom of expression are among the foundations of democracy. We therefore call on the Egyptians authorities to ensure, safeguard and defend these rights of the Egyptian people.”

Call and Partnership Announcement: G(irls)20 Summit 2012 in Mexico City

mateusz — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 04:15:00 GMT

The International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) is pleased to announce its participation in the organization of the G(irls)20 Summit in Mexico City from May 29 to June 4, 2012. Applications for this annual event – which runs parallel and is modeled on the G-20 Leaders Meeting – are now open to young women aged 18 to 20 from G-20 countries and the African Union. Delegates will work together to provide G20 leaders with recommendations on empowering girls and women as agents of social and economic development in their communities and around the world. They will also receive training in areas ranging from media relations to the development of business plans.

Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of leadership skills and experience, and ideas for confronting challenges arising from the global economic and euro-zone crises. Please complete and forward the following application form, in addition to one reference letter, to girls20Summit@tbsf.ca before 5:00 PM CET on January 9, 2012 to be considered as a candidate.

Background:

In September 2009 at the Clinton Global Initiative Summit, the Belinda Stronach Foundation, a charitable foundation in Canada, committed to creating a platform that provides greater coordination of global advocacy efforts for girls and women, with a goal of ensuring that their issues became part of the G20 narrative. Now in its third year, the G(irls) 20 Summit has generated 150 million media impressions and leveraged youth-led educational and economic development projects around the world.

The International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) is a forum for cooperation between a hundred liberal and democratic youth organizations in sixty countries around the world. It facilitates the exchange of ideas and best practices between these organizations through seminars, bilateral exchanges, advocacy campaigns and engagement with multilateral bodies like the UN Alliance of Civilizations and UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

For further information, please contact Coralie D'Souza (Coralie.DSouza@tbsf.ca) at the Belinda Stronach Foundation or Mateusz Trybowski (mateusz@iflry.org) at the International Federation of Liberal Youth - IFLRY

Parting Thoughts on COP17

mateusz — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 02:00:00 GMT

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By: Andres Fuentes Martinez

The consensus on the deal reached at COP-17 is that it will not solve the climate crisis, however it remains to be seen whether the results of the Durban discussions are positive or negative. Though some are pleased with the survival of the negotiating process, others demand more from the talks. This year’s discussion focussed on three aspects: the continuation of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the fate of the Kyoto Protocol, and the creation of a post-Kyoto accord.

The GCF is a fund created in Cancun last year meant to provide $100 billion to developing countries to help deal with the costs of mitigating and adapting to climate change. The biggest problem with the fund is the lack of money. This continues to be a problem coming out of Durban, however the parties agreed on the details of governance for the fund.

The Kyoto Protocol negotiations focused on extending the pact into a second commitment period. It was agreed that parties would submit their commitments in early 2012, with a new period starting January 2013 and ending in either 2017 or 2020, depending on the implementation of a new agreement.

Regarding the creation of a post-Kyoto accord, it was agreed to have a framework developed by 2015 for implementation by 2020. The quality of the deal will depend on negotiations between now and 2015.

While the agreements represent a collective step forward, the concern is that far too many pressing issues have been deferred to future conferences. The nature of climate change confounds this strategy. Waiting longer only leads to accepting more drastic measures necessitated by the postponement of action.

Canada’s performance at this round of talks was nothing short of embarrassing. I had the displeasure of seeing this firsthand during a break in negotiations. The time-out was meant to give delegates an opportunity to resolve the issue of binding commitments. Rather than participating in these crucial deliberations, Canada sat on its own. This immediate refusal to deal was backed by an obvious lack of foresight, highlighted by the news that we would be pulling out of the Kyoto Protocol.

The issue with stubborn parties like Canada is that they fail to grasp the urgency of the challenge. Climate change is not slowing down, and every moment we do not spend fighting it is one moment put towards failure in mitigating its disastrous effects. In the face of efforts meant to obstruct action, the planet’s best hope continues to be found in individuals who work to hold government accountable and who are doing all they can at a local level to reduce our environmental impact.

Meeting with ELDR President Graham Watson

mateusz — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 01:26:00 GMT

Written by Adam Sheldon

A few days ago, members of the International Federaltion of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) delegation here at the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) in Durban had the opportunity to sit down and speak with Sir Graham Robert Watson, the Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament for South West England and Gibraltar.

Watson, a former IFLRY member, acting as vice-president in 1977 and General Sec...retary in 1979, took the opportunity to discuss an initiative that he has been championing here at COP17 called the Climate Parliament.

The Climate Parliament is a multi-partisan group of legislators from democratic nations or states from around the world working together to combat climate change. In particular, the group is working to encourage the transition to renewable energy in regions around the world, and to promote the construction of clean energy supergrids.

It was certainly an engaging conversation and was quite interesting and rewarding for current IFLRY members to witness the achievements and efforts of a past member, particularly by way of climate change mitigation.

To find out more information about Climate Parliament, check out the group’s website.

Forest conservation challenges at COP17

mateusz — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 01:05:00 GMT

One of the important initiatives negotiated at the COP is REDD+, an anti-deforestation plan originating in its current form at COP15 Copenhagen in 2009. REDD+, or Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, aims to make conserving forests a better value proposition than cutting them down for lumber, land or agriculture.... The larger goal is to maximize the role of forests as carbon sinks that decrease the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere while protecting biodiversity and forest-based livelihoods. REDD+ uses a market approach to price forests and incentivize their conservation and sustainable management. REDD+ also seeks to incorporate safeguards for questions of development and protection of indigenous peoples. With most of the world's largest forests located in the developing world, REDD+ faces many challenges indeed.

In a panel on these challenges, I learned more about these first hand. Questions of implementation are at the centre of issues facing REDD+. Many REDD+ countries lack the capacity to successfully implement the program. This ranges from the human capacity of a sufficient number well-trained, equipped and mobile monitors, law enforcement personnel, and prosecutors to the institutional, legal, and financial capacity to monitor forestry indicators and prosecute illegal logging.

Agency among local populations is also an important challenge. On the one hand, mechanisms must exist where a woman gathering firewood for her family is not treated in the same manner as a large-scale and internationally-financed illegal logging operation. REDD+ must involve all stakeholders throughout both the policy development and implementation processes. The risks posed by illegal land grabs for their carbon credit value represent real threats that proper policy and more importantly proper enforcement can counter. The question remains of whether this is possible in countries that lack the institutional, financial, legal or human capabilities to deal with a mechanism as complex as REDD+, but with the level of international best-practice sharing that exists at the COP, there remains hope for improvement in the coming years.

Imprisoned Egyptian blogger Maikel Nabil given 1st IFLRY Freedom Award

mateusz — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:51:00 GMT

2/12/2011 - At the General Assembly of the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) in Istanbul, Turkey, Maikel Nabil was given the first IFLRY Freedom Award for his firm commitment to freedom.

Maikel Nabil Sanad (1985) has been a blogger and activist for several years in Egypt. From 2006 until recently, Maikel Nabil has used the internet to mobilize public opinion for values such as human rights, peace and democracy. He has been active in liberal organizations, and he was part of IFLRY’s delegation to the Liberal International (LI) Congress in 2009 in Cairo.

Maikel Nabil was arrested on 28 March 2011 in his home in Cairo, for ‘insulting’ the military through Facebook. On 10 April, he was sentenced to three years in jail by a military court, even though Maikel Nabil is a civilian. Since 23 August, Maikel Nabil is on hunger strike in protest against his continued imprisonment and solitary confinement. IFLRY president

Thomas Leys states “No civilian should be tried before a military court, just like nobody should be imprisoned for peacefully expressing their opinion.”

As Maikel Nabil remains imprisoned, the award was accepted by Amr El-Bakly (Cairo Liberal Forum) on his behalf. The speakers at the award ceremony included Klaas Dijkhoff MP (VVD, Netherlands) and LI Secretary General Emil Kirjas. At the ceremony, young liberals from all over the world wrote personal supportive postcards to Maikel Nabil.

Thomas Leys adds “Maikel Nabil embodies the spirit of the non-violent struggle for freedom and democracy in Middle East and North Africa. Although the change in Egypt and the region offers the prospect for freedom and human rights, we believe the case of Maikel Nabil also calls for vigilance and continued support for democratic principles and forces in these countries.

Maikel Nabil also represents the changing nature of democratic protest, by using social media and new technology, thus underlining the need to secure digital freedoms for all. Finally, as IFLRY, we feel the role of youth as contributors to democratic change needs to be recognized. We hope this award serves as an inspiration and an acknowledgment for the work of millions of other young people working towards freedom, democracy and human rights.”

Help demand his immediate release
Stand in solidarity with Maikel Nabil and call on the Egyptian authorities to immediately release him, and to stop criminalising peaceful freedom of expression in Egypt:http://www.amnesty.org.au/action/action/26960/

IFLRY Webinar (Archived): The Role of Digital Media in Freedom of Expression Advocacy

mateusz — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:22:00 GMT

Dear Members and Friends of IFLRY

The IFLRY Seminar on Freedom of Expression invites you to consult an archived copy of its webinar on the Role of Digital Media in Freedom of Expression Advocacy . It connected seminar participants gathered in Istanbul with young liberals around the world and on the front lines of rights advocacy in countries under authoritarian governance.

Guest speakers included Emin Milli, a blogger and legal expert for the Council of Europe who discussed his experience as a former prisoner of conscience in Azerbaijan; and Alix Dunn, a strategist and trainer on digital human rights campaigns in emerging pro-democracy movements.

Click here to consult an archived copy of this webinar

Room ID = "LSF_main"
 Name: please enter your name

We are looking forward to hearing your feedback on this IFLRY webinar!

Kind regards,

Mateusz Trybowski,
 IFLRY Vice-President  
On behalf of the Freedom of Expression Seminar Team

Call - Nomination for IFLRY Delegation to UN Conference on Climate Change (COP17)

mateusz — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 14:59:00 GMT

Dear friends,

The IFLRY Climate Change Team is assembling a delegation for the upcoming United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP-17).

The conference will be taking place in Durban, South Africa from November 18 to December 9, 2011.

Nominations must be submitted by midnight UTC on September 19th to climatechange@iflry.org by an official representative (President, Secretary General or International Officer). As spots are limited, we will be using a competitive selection process. Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of availability, experience and objectives for the conference.

For further information, please consult the following documents:

INVITATION LETTER

NOMINATION FORM

We are looking forward to seeing you in South Africa.

Regards,

The IFLRY Climate Change Team

UNITED IN SOLIDARITY – TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER

iflry — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 08:50:00 GMT

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We are the young liberals of the world. It is our obligation to show a notion of global humanity, moreover to show solidarity that embraces all humans. That is why IFLRY, International Federation of Liberal Youth, organizes a traditional project called Liberal Solidarity Week. This year’s topic is United in Solidarity – together we are stronger. We are united with a specific purpose, united with a task to expand a liberal cultural power. In other words, we fight against injustice, oppression and tyranny.

WHAT IS LSW?

The IFLRY LSW is a project where countries and MOs in democracies want to show their support to those who fight for freedom, human rights and democracy, while at the same time we want to spread liberal thoughts and visions to help developing a better world.

WHAT IS THE MAIN AIM?

IFLRY, as an international federation, has member organization all around the world but not all of them live in democracies where freedom of speech, free market and democracy itself are fundamentals rights. That is why we need your help. We want that our MOs and their members show their support with those who can’t live in freedom because they live in authoritarian countries.

WHAT WE FOCUS ON?

We focus on political freedom, classical human rights and fundamental rights of liberalism. We focus on promoting direct democracy. We believe that all people should have a right to work in citizen initiatives, whereby people can propose new legislation, a right for fair elections and a right to recall, under which people can force a vote on whether to expel an incumbent elected official by collecting enough signatures in a petition. We claim from authoritarian countries to recognize the equal and absolute rights of all members of the human family, moreover to accept the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.

WHICH COUNTRIES?

We are proposing you to orient your activities in promoting democracy and shifting awareness of human rights problems in Cuba, North Sudan, Libya, Belarus and Syria. These countries are also prior objectives that IFLRY with its programme teams and individual acting of Bureau members fights for. If you choose any of these five countries Bureau and Programme managers will prepare manuals and provide you with the materials, information and help. Of course you are free to choose any other countries you think that our mutual actions are needed.

WHEN LSW WILL TAKE PLACE?

From the 19^th - 25^thof September. You can do actions and activities every day during this week. You are also free to choose the days you think that are the most appropriate. The more you do the better success we can achieve. Just don’t forget to inform us about your activities, so we could coordinate activities around the world.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

We are kindly asking you to carry out activities addressing injustice in determined countries. These mutual activities around the world will help us to claim pure and fundamental rights for people in authoritarian countries. Here is a list of activities you can do:

Workshop. An internal debate in you organization about the issue and after it a resolution for you and your mother party.
Articles in media. Sometimes it is difficult that media cover our actions, let’s give them the job done and show our concern in media.
Salon debate. Make a debate with influential people and NGOs.
Interactive action. Make a web action, Facebook event, Facebook page of support, etc.
Conference. Invite dissidents, people in exile, NGOs or who ever you thing will help you having an interesting session.
Movie night. Speaking feds you up? We can send you movies in DVD about it. Watch it and send us your opinion before and after watching it.
Demonstration. You think that being sit down wont help much? Do a placard, get a megaphone and jump and scream for freedom.
Letters to MP in your Parliament. Contact the most influent people of your country and explain what’s going on.
Donation campaign. Collecting materials, money, or anything else you thing it will help to send them and make their life easier.

WHERE CAN I GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION?

You can find all about the project on IFLRY website and FACEBOOK page. If you need any other information, additional data and materials please contact us on: jordi@iflry.org, naomi@iflry.org, davor@iflry.org.

DON’T FORGET!

We are obligated to show our support to people who are fighting for their freedom. We need your support to expand our solidarity around the world and don’t forget that we are stronger together.

Sincerely yours,

IFLRY Bureau

IFLRY statement on International Youth Day - 12th August 2011

Thomas Leys — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 09:35:00 GMT

Empowering and facilitating dialogue between young people worldwide in the interest of promoting freedom has been the principal objective of the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) since its creation in 1947. Today, on International Youth Day in a year that has been marked by political and economic turmoil, IFLRY would like to highlight the role of youth in accomplishing a free and prosperous society.

As IFLRY we believe that offering young people substantive opportunities to influence decision-making is the best way to improve their understanding of citizenship, tolerance for diversity, and capacity to forge connections that break-down geographic, generational and ethno-cultural cleavages. We approach universal access to education and freedoms of opinion and expression, peaceful assembly and association, and religious or cultural identity as fundamental to these goals’ achievement. Political apathy amongst youth threatens the integrity of established democracies and stability of emerging democracies. IFLRY encourages young people to engage in issue-advocacy, but also emphasizes the importance of electing youth and political parties that represent youth interests to legislative assemblies. Young political participation helps to keep governments accountable and focused on long-term policy objectives. It also allows young people to develop organizational and communication skills that can be applied in other areas, as well as exposure to different cultures, perspectives and ideas.

For IFLRY, political freedom should go hand in hand with economic freedom. Social and economic problems associated with low youth employment are intensified by its concentration amongst insecure work arrangements characterized by low productivity and earnings. We believe young citizens should have the necessary tools to achieve autonomy in dealing with their economic life. IFLRY calls on governments to pursue active employment policies focused on education and economic development through private investment, competition and the free movement of workers and goods. This also means equal rights to pursue business opportunities in the absence of intimidation, corruption or discrimination on the basis of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. Rule of law and stable financial systems are fundamental to economic and employment growth. IFLRY also calls on states to cease incurring debt on the backs of future generations and to abolish trade barriers and protectionist policies that condemn youth in developing countries to perpetual poverty.

London, 12th August 2011

IFLRY strongly condemns deadly violence in Syria

iflry — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 11:43:00 GMT

The International Federation of Liberal Youth is deeply concerned with the inhumane behavior of the Syrian government on peaceful demonstrators, in particular the brutal attack on Hama that left more than 145 people dead on Sunday. IFLRY calls upon the international community to join in denunciating the violence.

IFLRY condemns the Syrian Government’s violent crackdown in its strongest possible term and urges the authority to stop killing innocent people immediately and unconditionally. It is utterly deplorable for any government to attempt to force its population into submission, using tanks, artillery and snipers. IFLRY urges the Government to halt this assault on its own people's most fundamental human rights. Last week, IFLRY’s Executive Committee in Timisoara (Romania) unanimously adopted a resolution calling for an end to the violence against its civilians, most prominently against those protesting.

IFLRY reiterates to the Syrian authorities their obligation to respect the human rights of the Syrian people, including their freedom of expression and right to peaceful assembly, and urges them to listen to the legitimate aspirations of the population. IFLRY calls on the international community/organizations to remind the Syrian authorities that they are accountable under international human rights law for all acts of violence perpetrated by them against the civilian population.

It called on the authorities to refrain from violence and to listen to the legitimate aspirations of the people and address them through inclusive political dialogue and genuine reforms and not through repression and more bloodshed. Since the mass protests against Assad began in March, about 1,500 civilians and 350 members of the security forces have been killed. More than 12,600 people have been arrested and 3,000 civilians are listed as missing. However, the accounts could not be independently verified because international journalists have not been allowed access to Syria as part of the government’s censorship.

IFLRY President Thomas Leys: “Today, we must show our solidarity with the people of Syria. We strongly believe that the voices of the free people are much more powerful than bullets and massacres. We hope this courageous act of the people of Syria will not be stopped before reaching their aspired goal. At the same time, we hope that the UN Security Council does not remind blind for what is happening in Syria and that necessary actions are taken to force the Syrian government to stop the violence.”

IFLRY condemns the Oslo bombing and the Utøya mass shootings

Thomas Leys — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:24:00 GMT

Joint statement by IFLRY and the Young Liberals of Norway (NUV)

The International Federation of Liberal Youth, gathered in Timisoara in Romania, strongly condemns the attack that took place in Oslo on July 22. As liberals, we hold the value of life in highest esteem and find this cruel attack to be a violation of humanity. IFLRY sends most sincere condolences to the families and friends of the eight victims of the Oslo bombing and the sixty-eight victims in the Utøya shooting.

As young people, we find the killings at Utøya to be very disturbing. The horrendous attack on politically active and interested youth has been received by all participants at the IFLRY meeting as a huge shock. At this point, we want to express our solidarity with the Norwegian Workers’ Youth League (AUF) by strongly condemning this terrorist action. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of all victims, including those injured and traumatised.

We, the International Federation of Liberal Youth, are committed to fight terrorism, protect lives and uphold political, civil and human rights all over the world. As a means of showing our condolences for all those killed in these incidents, we held a moment of silence to commemorate their death.

For IFLRY: Thomas Leys

For NUV: Andreas Skjæret

For LYMEC: Alexander Plahr

For OALY-LEAD: Lebo More

For YLDA: Harshana Rajakaruna

For TNL: Florin-Alexandru Alexe

For CSL: Radu Surugiu

For JNC: Jordi Villanueva Calvet

For the Juventude Democratas: Joao Victor Guedes

For Future Youth: Rabih Fakhreddine

For YLC: Mateusz Trybowski

For SU: Danica Vihinen

For Finnish Centre Youth: Virva Leväinen

For Radikal Ungdom: Christian Schmidt-Sorensen

For LUF: Johanna Lönn

For YMRF: Stanislav Anastassov

For Liberal Youth: Harriet Ainscough

For JRG: Nasha Gagnebin

For JuLis: Julia Hesse

For UJTL: Ameth Nasses

For JD: Maarten Koning

For JOVD: Timo Roeleveld

For L²: Jefrey Van der Straeten

For the Liberal Youth of Moldova: Ludmila Lupu

For Youth Yabloko: Ksenia Vakhrusheva

For MLD: Nusa Anna Hrustek

For Liberal Youth Guild: Harshana Rajakaruna

For DA Youth; Lebo More

For 3H: Afra Uysal

For JLA: Lukas Kaleinikovas

IFLRY Statement on Jorge Cervantes Garcia

iflry — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:50:00 GMT

The International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) is deeply concerned for the health of Jorge Cervantes Garcia, a human rights defender in Cuba. Mr. Garcia has been undertaking a hunger strike since the start of June, seeking to call attention to the abuses of an undemocratic regime that continues to repress his country. Like many Cubans, Mr. Garcia has long suffered under a government which does not tolerate dissent or new and innovative ideas.

No longer willing to accept the rule of silence, Mr. Garcia has engaged in this brave but dangerous protest in solidarity with Cuba's many political prisoners.

IFLRY calls for the immediate release of all Cuba's political prisoners. The peaceful protest of repression ought not to be met with yet further repression.

IFLRY also calls upon the Cuban regime to enact serious democratic reforms. By taking steps to conform with democratic best practices and the terms of the 2001 Inter-American Democratic Charter, the Cuban people will enjoy true freedom - free to determine the fate of their country, and free to choose their form of government. Through such efforts, a society can be forged where individuals like Jorge Cervantes Garcia do not feel compelled to imperil their health in order to have their voice heard.

Libertad y vida. Liberty and life. These are the values for which Mr. Garcia has been protesting; these are the values upon which the Cuban regime must deliver.

Membership applications

iflry — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 16:29:00 GMT

Please find the memberhsip applications here.

IFLRY and LYMEC welcome Mladić arrest and urge Serbia to continue international justice process

mateusz — Tue, 31 May 2011 14:58:00 GMT

On Thursday Serbian authorities arrested Ratko Mladić, the wartime commander of the Bosnian Serbs Army. Mladić was arrested in the small village of Lazarevo, near Zrenjanin, a town north of the Serbian capital Belgrade. He was indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in 1995 for crimes against humanity, genocide and war crimes. Mladić is charged with being responsible for the siege of Sarajevo and for the genocide in Srebrenica, the largest ethnically-motivated massacre in Europe after World War II.

IFLRY and LYMEC welcome the arrest of Mladić as an important step for Serbia towards EU integration and especially as a step forward for regional reconciliation. However, there is still a bad feeling in sense of late finding of Mladić, especially because intellectual elites in Serbia say that Mladić had the support of former Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica and of several political groups. Though the arrest was long overdue, IFLRY and LYMEC welcome Mladić's arrest as the necessary first step towards genuine regional reconciliation and stabilisation.

The act of arresting Mladić shows that Serbian authorities are committed to dealing with the past atrocities and Serbia's role in the 1990's wars, particularly because Mladić's image as a Serbian national hero is still kept alive by the nationalistic bloc in Serbia. Belgrade proved that it is ready to enforce the rule of law, despite the pressure coming from Mladić’s supportersin the streets of Belgrade.

Now more than ever it is important that Serbia continues with political and legal proceedings to confront a painful and dark period of their history. Arresting Mladić is not the end of the path. The positive justice will not be served until Serbia arrests and hands over Goran Hadžić to ICTY.

We urge Serbia and Serbia’s political leadership to quicken the hand-over of Hadžić, to admit its guilt for the actions during the war in Former Yugoslavia and to assume responsibility.

Furthermore, we call for Serbia’s institutions to make a subtle and formal apology to Mothers of Srebrenica and citizens of Sarajevo.

We also suggest to Belgrade to take full advantage of this positive momentum and speed up domestic, political and legal reforms leading to the establishment of the rule of law in the country. Serbia will soon close one of the darkest chapters of its history; it is time that it returns to the family of the European nations by embarking on a historic journey closer to the European Union.

We would also like to congratulate our Serbian member organisation Young LDP fortheir consistent and uprightly actions and efforts to to create a better future for Serbs in European Serbia

Documents EC Timisoara

iflry — Tue, 31 May 2011 13:19:00 GMT

Find here the links to the Invitation the deadlines for the EC in Timisoara:

Invitation EC

Deadlines

Registration Form

Call: IFLRY Climate Change Programme Manager (2011-2012)

mateusz — Mon, 30 May 2011 02:37:00 GMT

Dear IFLRY Member Organizations,

The IFLRY Bureau is looking for a Programme Manager to lead its Climate Change Teamfor one year beginning in July 2011. This term will be particularly interesting because it coincides with the end of the Kyoto Protocol’s commitment period and efforts to negotiate a successor agreement within the United Nations.

Aims:

The IFLRY Climate Change Programme’s leading objectives are to develop, deepen and expand the voice and activities of young liberals on the topic of climate change and climate-related policies at large in order to influence public debate and political decision-making. Combating climate change to preserve the environment for future generations is a central component of the IFLRY Manifesto (Section IV) and is an area in which IFLRY has demonstrated leadership in recent years.

The Programme Manager will have an opportunity to develop his or her own strategy and priorities in the context of ongoing efforts to:

- Further develop IFLRY’s climate change policies

- Lobby on behalf of ambitious emission reduction commitments and market-based approaches to climate change mitigation and adaptation in Liberal International and other political forums.

- Build capacity on climate change issues by fostering communication between member organizations, promoting their activities, and functioning as a clearing house for information on climate change policies and advocacy efforts.

- Develop working relationships with climate change think tanks, advocacy groups and other stakeholders that share our aims and principles.

- Prepare for the participation of an IFLRY delegation to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP17) in Durban, Africa.

- Organize or co-organize young liberal climate change events such as seminars.

Qualifications:

Applicants for this position do not need to be experts but should have some knowledge of climate change issues and enthusiasm to contribute to this very important initiative. They should also be active in an IFLRY Member Organization and be prepared to commit at least four hours per week on average to their programme management responsibilities.

The Programme Manager will be responsible for chairing regular meetings of the Climate Change Team and for delegating responsibilities amongst its members. Most of this work will be conducted through online platforms.

If you are interested, please send an email with your CV and a one-page motivation letter to IFLRY Vice President Mateusz Trybowski (mateusz@iflry.org) no later than June 13^th,2011, after which the appointment will be made public.

Outgoing Climate Change Programme Manager Stephan Korte (stephan@iflry.org) is also available to answer questions about this position and offer training to its selected candidate.

Call for IFLRY Representative to EU-China Year of Youth Flagship Conference on Sustainable Development in Beijing, Xi’an; July 4-11, 2011

mateusz — Mon, 30 May 2011 01:39:00 GMT

The European Youth Forum has invited the IFLRY Bureau to nominate a representative to the EU-China Year of Youth Conference on Sustainable Development occurring in Beijing-Xi’an on July 4-11, 2001. This conference follows on the heels of the IFLRY Bureau's participation in the EU-China Year of Youth summit in February. Working groups and activities will focus on economic and ecological approaches to sustainable development while creating opportunities for dialogue and cooperation between youth from both continents.

Background

2011 was designated as the EU-China Year of Youth at the 12th EU-China summit, held in Nanjing on 30 November 2009, with a view to "promoting and deepening partnership between Europe and China" (art. 24).

Its main objectives are:

· - To promote intercultural dialogue and strengthen mutual understanding andfriendship between European and Chinese youth;

· - To encourage young people to care about and support the development of EU-China relations;

· - To achieve extensive and positive impacts and help ensure that cooperation between policy makers as well as between youth organizations is sustainable beyond 2011.

Nomination Criteria:

Applicants must be nominated by an IFLRY Member Organization, aged between 18 and 35 years old, and have EU nationality while residing in a EU country.

Precedence will be given to applicants who have experience in sustainable development and EU-China cooperation issues, and the capacity to encourage initiatives related to the conference in their home country.

Travel, Accommodation and Meals:

International travel costs will be covered by the European Union. Domestic travel and accommodation are being covered by the All-China Youth Federation.

Deadline:

The nomination form is available at the Documents Centre: http://iflry.org/files/folders/climate_change/entry93623.aspx

Completed nomination forms must be submitted by a MO executive (President, Secretary General or International Officer) to IFLRY Vice-President Mateusz Trybowski (mateusz@iflry.org) no later than June 3, 2011.

Statement: Let Love Rule in Uganda

mateusz — Thu, 12 May 2011 22:42:00 GMT

Only a few days before the International Day against Homophobia (celebrated annually on 17 May), Uganda's parliament announced that they are extending the Spring session for one extra day in order to push through the death penalty for homosexuality. The bill not only introduces the death penalty for “serial offenders”, it also proposes the imprisonment of people who facilitate same sex-relations. The International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) strongly condemns this initiative. IFLRY stands in solidarity with all lesbians, gays, bi-sexuals and transsexuals, and those that support them, in Uganda.

IFLRY believes that diversity in every sense should be cherished and stimulated, not suppressed or denied. Therefore, IFLRY calls on the international liberal community’s members to mount pressure on Uganda and continue advocating for LGBT rights. IFLRY Bureau Member Ivo Thijssen (Netherlands) “President Museveni has the opportunity to end this battle against human dignity by vetoing this bill. It is time for him to rise to the occasion and keep the government out of the bedroom. Let love rule!”

The situation in Uganda proves that one of the main liberal challenges for the 21st century is to fight homophobia and promote equal rights for all sexual orientations. IFLRY Vice President Mateusz Trybowski (Canada) added: "Should the bill pass, it is up to our governments to prove that the support for human rights goes beyond words. Asylum needs to be granted to those individuals that flee persecutions and death on grounds of their sexual orientation.”

IFLRY appoints Free Trade Programme Manager 2011 and calls for Free Trade Programme Team Members

iflry — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 22:44:00 GMT

Following IFLRY’s launch of a Free Trade Programme (FTP) and the call for a FTP Manager, the IFLRY Bureau has decided to appoint Adrian Proos. He is a long-time active member of IFLRY full Member Organisation JOVD. The IFLRY Bureau is convinced that his experience as an entrepreneur will help IFLRY build a strong FTP. Beside that he is Political Commissar Economy and Innovation for the JOVD.

Following the appointment of Adrian as FTP Manager, IFLRY is looking for FTP Team Members for IFLRY's work on Free Trade from spring 2011 to spring 2012. This term will be particularly interesting due to the fact that this is a new IFLRY Programme. The FTP Team Members will therefore have the opportunity to help shape the Programme.

Role of Free Trade Programme Team Members
The FTP Team shall work pro-actively on, and be responsible for, the implementation of the FTP. The FTP Team will carry out its work mainly through online platforms and telecommunication. Physical meetings may be held in addition. There are several issues that the FTP Team Members will be working on:
1. Participate in a team of volunteers from IFLRY Member Organizations around the world
2. Developing of IFLRY policy recommendations on trade liberalization.
3. Monitor all activities of the WTO and identify opportunities for NGO engagement offered by the WTO.
4. Look for funding for a WTO visit and organise it.
5. Design of communication strategy regarding free trade (articles, campaigns).

There may be more issues coming up in the course of the year and Programme Members are free to come up with their own ideas as well. There is no financial compensation available but working for an international organization is an enriching experience for yourself and for your resume.

Join the fight for free trade, apply now!

FTP Members do not need to be Free Trade experts but should have the enthusiasm and inspiration to contribute to this very important initiative. In addition, they should be active in an IFLRY Member Organisation and have basic knowledge about the WTO and trade liberalization. In particular, IFLRY is looking for thinkers, writers and doers!

The FTP Team Members shall be appointed for the duration of one year. The composition of the FTP Team shall be decided upon by the IFLRY Bureau in cooperation with the FTP Manager. If you are interested, please send a note of interest and with your CV to IFLRY Bureau Member Ivo Thijssen (ivo@iflry.org). Please send this no later than 15 May 2011, after which the appointments will be made public. For questions on the FTP and FTP Team Membership, please contact Ivo.

IFLRY would like to thank all of you who participated and made the event to what it was, and wishes all involved a fruitful training future!

New Cuba Programme manager appointed

iflry — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 22:41:00 GMT

Paul Pryce is 25 years old, lives in Tallinn, Estonia and is currently completing a Master of Arts in International Relations. He also works as a journalist with the Estonian Free Press. Paul is deeply passionate about democratization efforts and human rights advocacy, having previously worked as a Research Fellow with the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) Parliamentary Assembly, organizing election observer missions to the United States of America, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro.

His involvement with IFLRY began in 2008, representing the Young Liberals of Canada at the 2008 General Assembly and Executive Committee meetings in Kyiv. This involvement has continued since then, including participation in an IFLRY Workshop on the issue of human trafficking, which was held in 2009 in Amsterdam. Having served recently on the IFLRY Cuba Programme Team, Paul is honoured to now take up the position of Programme Manager and hopes to soon see the day when some 11 million Cubans can vote in free and fair elections, or can enjoy unrestricted access to the Internet.

Internet.

If you are interested in joining the Cuba Programme Team please contact IFLRY secretary general Jordi Villanueva jordi@iflry.org or IFLRY Vice President Davor Kalin davor@iflry.org

The International Dimensions of Canada’s 2011 Federal Election

iflry — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 10:16:00 GMT

Canada’s outgoing Conservative government has made history for all the wrong reasons. On March 25th 2011, it was the first government in the history of the Westminster system to be voted in contempt of parliament for refusing to disclose the cost of its crime agenda, military expenditures and corporate tax cuts. As the parliamentary equivalent of contempt of court in law, this is the most serious offence with which a government can be charged. It caps off five-years of efforts to avoid accountability and stifle criticism through abuse of power. The Harper Conservatives narrowly escaped a contempt ruling earlier in the year for withholding information on the alleged torture of detainees in Afghanistan. Yet another contempt ruling was pending before elections were triggered over charges that International Development Minister Bev Oda falsified documents – a criminal offence – and then lied to Parliament. Last January, Stephen Harper prorogued Parliament to avoid being defeated on a non-confidence motion. His government has also broken its own fixed election laws, ignored international treaty commitments and stacked an appointed Senate to defeat legislation passed by elected Members of Parliament. Four of Stephen Harper’s advisors are currently under police investigation over charges of electoral fraud. His former chief-of-staff, who has already served time for fraud convictions, is similarly under investigation for influence peddling. Beyond these legal troubles, Stephen Harper has deliberately misled Canadians on basic constitutional principles, eroded civic discourse by attacking political adversaries’ character instead of platforms, and reduced the reliability of data used to develop and evaluate policies by scrapping the mandatory long-form census. The latter decision was, in particular, criticized by an unprecedented range of bureaucratic, academic, business, volunteer, faith-based and official-language stakeholders from both sides of Canada’s political spectrum.

The international ramifications of Harper’s highly partisan approach to governance are less broadly reported but equally alarming. Canada has earned a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council every decade since 1948. That seat’s unprecedented loss under Harper’s Conservative government reflects international frustration with recent shifts in our foreign policy – particularly as it relates to climate change and development.

Canada’s record in fulfilling international emission reduction commitments is the worst of all countries that signed onto the Kyoto Protocol. Although he no longer disputes its scientific evidence, Stephen Harper has made few substantive efforts to combat climate change. His government has failed to match aggressive strides by the United States and China at developing economies based on clean and renewable energy – missing historic opportunities for innovation and job creation. By repeatedly proroguing Parliament and defeating its own environmental legislation, Harper has also created an unfriendly climate for private investment and jeopardized the long-term sustainability of Canada’s agricultural, timber and fishery industries. His government’s domestic foot-dragging has been complimented by efforts to obstruct international negotiations on a successor treaty to the Kyoto Protocol. Its resistance to binding greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and marginalization of United Nations processes has squandered our country’s reputation as an honest broker and attracted global scorn that unjustly overlooks the environmental leadership of Canadian civil society, businesses, provinces and municipalities.

Canada’s international reputation has also been hurt by the Conservative government’s abandonment of Africa and heavy-handed treatment of NGOs engaged in development and democracy building. I am less inclined than others to debate its Americas Strategy. Concentrating aid on countries that are bound to Canada by familial ties and geographic proximity is sensible, as is the strategy’s emphasis on private-sector investment, security improvements and democracy building; Latin America and the Caribbean face different challenges to Africa and call for different aid approaches. By that same token, effective development requires long-term collaborative relationships and needs to be measured by more than economic indicators.

In eliminating aid to eight poor African countries, Harper’s government has scrapped thirty-years of partnerships and experience. It has also jeopardized programs aimed at improving literacy, gender equity, food security and small enterprise development, as well as ones treating and preventing HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases. Worse still, it now appears that after four years of rhetoric, Harper’s Americas Strategy has hardly gotten off the ground. A recent internal evaluation obtained under Access to Information legislation reveals an absence of coordination and sustainable financing for its implementation. “Few people [it reports…] have a clear sense of the priorities of the strategy, including bureaucrats who deal with the file and the nations they approach.” It also cautions that “Canada could be rapidly overshadowed in the region” under ongoing Conservative neglect.

The Harper government’s record on promoting democracy abroad betrays a similar gap between rhetoric and action. In two election campaigns and one Throne Speech, Harper has repeatedly promised to put democracy promotion at the centre of his foreign policy. Instead, his government has systemically discredited or shut down every public agency involved in this work. The list is rather stunning at a time when democratic revolutions are sweeping across the Middle East and Northern Africa. It includes democracy units in the Canadian International Development Agency and Department of Foreign Affairs, the Parliamentary Centre’s Sudan and Haiti democracy programs, and Rights and Democracy whose senior staff was allegedly muzzled, intimidated, and then replaced for ideological reasons. If anything, this record suggests that Harper’s contempt for democracy extends beyond Canada’s borders.

Recent polls indicate that Canadians concerned by international issues overwhelmingly trust Liberal Party leader Michael Ignatieff over others to restore our global reputation and engagement. Most Canadians also feel that it is the only party capable of defeating Stephen Harper’s Conservatives.

A Liberal government under Michael Ignatieff promises to restore Canada’s international record for championing multilateralism, human rights, and democracy. The Liberal Party recognizes that foreign policy has ceased to be a government monopoly. Its international engagement will be directed by a Global Networks Strategy that marshals resources and expertise from government, the private sector, academia and civil society.

As part of this Global Networks Strategy, a Liberal government will bring multilateralism and peacekeeping back to the forefront of Canadian foreign policy by:

Developing a new leadership role in peacekeeping by reorienting our battle-hardened military to United Nations operations that are consistent with our interests, values and capabilities.
Advancing international acceptance of the Responsibility to Protect doctrine that Canadians authored and pushed through the United Nations, and step up when the international community is called upon to stop large-scale massacres of civilians.
Strengthening Canadian Arctic sovereignty by empowering the region’s citizenry (through investments in education, natural resource development, healthcare, and job creation), and assuming a brokerage function in the Arctic Council (by acting to establish its permanent secretariat in our country, pursing joint Arctic mapping exercises, and appointing a new Ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs).
Restoring the capacities of Canada’s diplomatic corps and Trade Commissioner Service as well as channeling new resources into our membership in the United Nations, G20, Francophonie, Commonwealth, Organization of American States, NAFTA and APEC.
Assuming leadership in multilateral efforts to ban cluster munitions, curb nuclear proliferation, and demobilize and rehabilitate child soldiers.

Under its Global Networks Strategy, a Liberal government will also rebuild relationships with NGOs that have been muzzled or intimidated by Harper’s Conservatives, as well as restore Canada’s commitment to international development and humanitarian assistance. Most notably, a Liberal government will:

Return Africa to the top of Canada’s aid priorities, placing the eradication of hunger and extreme poverty above other priorities and supporting innovative ways to empower women and encourage private investment;
Restore ground lost through freezes of planned investments into development assistance and ideologically motivated withdrawals of funding from Canadian NGOs.
Establish a Canada Democracy Agency with capacity to broker, coordinate and support deployments of Canadian governance expertise from within the federal government, private sector, and civil society.
Balance humanitarian spending in post-conflict states with efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts, build democratic institutions, defend human rights, and promote stability and economic prosperity.
Leverage the passion of Canadian youth by financially supporting their volunteer service abroad as well as build capacity and coordinate the activities of non-profit organizations.

A Liberal government will also restore Canadian leadership on the environment, working with the international community to fight climate change, while ensuring that our country transitions successfully to the low-carbon economy of tomorrow. It will:

Engage the Obama Administration proactively on clean energy issues, carbon pricing, research and development for standards and regulation, cooperation on electricity transmission grid development, and transportation.
Establish a cap-and-trade system with the provinces that applies to all sectors of the economy and is equitable across all regions of the country.
Contribute constructively to international negotiations for a successor treaty to the Kyoto Protocol and
Restore incentives for entrepreneurs engaged in the production of solar, wind, tidal and biomass-based energy, in the aim of quadrupling Canada’s renewable energy output by 2017.
Contribute constructively to international negotiations for a successor treaty to the Kyoto Protocol that will keep global rises in temperature below 2 degrees Celsius.
Redirect spending on corporate tax breaks for oil sands development to incentives for technologies that reduce their impact on the environment.
Strengthen safeguards against oil spills and develop a new Canadian Freshwater Strategy that confronts challenges like ground water contamination, drought and flooding.
Implement a permanent $13,500 Green Renovation Tax Credit for home improvements that bring environmental benefits such as energy-efficient windows, doors and roofing to help families protect the environment, fight climate change, and save money.

Mateusz Trybowski, Vice Precident of IFLRY

Syria’s Youth struggle to make genuine political reforms

iflry — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 10:03:00 GMT

Economic stagnation, ancient autocrats, and stifling censorship -- these are just a few of the grievances that are responsible for the upheaval sweeping away some of the Arab world’s ruling regimes. This revolutionary wave, which has irrevocably altered the governments in Tunis and Cairo, has inspired the opposition in Syria to demand the pro-government launch a fully-fledged reform campaign. The Facebook group 'The Syria Revolution 2011', which has attracted almost 78,000 fans, called for "Day of Dignity" rallies at mosques across Syria, after a week of deadly protests in the south. "We will continue to protest on against injustice and repression in Daraa and throughout the country."This wave of revolution stems from the fact that politics in Syria were closely associated with the concepts of taboo, oppression and jail. This is obviously the result of the existence of a single political party, President Bashar Assad’s Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party and its heavy domination of political life.

A protest by university students in Damascus is the new element in the Syria crisis where the regime has failed so far to stop demonstrations, this despite a bloody crackdown and scores of arrests among opponents. The military is laying siege to Baniyas, scene of clashes between demonstrators and security forces in the past few days. Power, internet and phone lines have been cut, so news coming from the town is fragmentary, with stories about soldiers firing on protesters. Witnesses say that at least four people have been killed. These deaths are the latest in a list that has already topped 200 since the beginning of the protests, opponents say. And the toll keeps rising. Today on Facebook, a group calling itself Syrian Revolution 2011 launched an appeal, calling on Syrians to protest this afternoon across the country. Head of Syria's National Organization for Human Rights revealed that many students died at the university after he was shot in the demonstration. Others have been arrested and video footage possted online shows plainclothes security forces beating protesters. The pro-freedom protest by students is an exceptional occurrence in Syria, especially in Damascus, where controls by security forces are tight.

The government, following promises made by President Bashar al-Assad, insists that the path of renewal needs domestic security and continues to accuse foreign forces to be behind the protests. However, it appears that Syrian authorities have chosen repression. In a conspicuous attempt by the Syrian regime to repress media, a couple of days ago, Samira al-Masalma, the editor-in-chief of state-run newspaper Tishreen, was sacked after she slammed the military and police for the violence. Many reporters, journalist and media figures were subject to violent attacks. The Syrian government has expelled many media organizations, and frequent outages of Internet and mobile phone service have hampered efforts by human rights workers and others to follow events inside the tightly regulated country.

The nearly month long wave of protests has claimed an estimated 170 lives so far and presented the fiercest challenge to President Bashar Assad and his ruling Ba’ath Party since his taking over upon the death of his father 11 years ago. Eyewitnesses say hundreds of women and children are blocking a main coastal highway in Syria today to protest the arrest of dozens of people from nearby villages in an ongoing crackdown. The witnesses say up to 2,000 women carrying white cloths and olive branches are crowding the main motorway between the coastal cities of Tartous and Banias. The women demand the release of detainees from Bayda and Beit Jnad. The witnesses spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. Residents and activists say hundreds were arrested on Tuesday as security forces and pro-government gunmen attacked the two villages. The Syrian secret police and soldiers went into houses, arresting men up to 60 years old. Syrian security forces in last Friday's bloody demonstrations blocked wounded protesters from getting medical care. Security forces stopped medical personnel and others from reaching wounded protesters" and prevented injured protesters from accessing hospitals. The security forces did not allow the ambulances to approach the road to pick up the wounded, and kept shooting when other protesters tried to carry the wounded away. The Arab world's revolutions could end up "just a mirage in the desert" if leaders fail to make good on demands for greater democracy and economic opportunity.

Mirna Mneimneh, Vice Precident of IFLRY