arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)

english version
29.11.2003 09:09

Especially these days and especially during this specific summit it's important to raise a critical voice. The OSCE will be discussing the war against terrorism, where as they are originally established to make a strong stand for civil rights which are being violated on a very large scale by the same war on terrorism. Some of the stipulations of the Final Act of Helsinki are:
· no threat of and use of violence
· inviolability of borders
· peaceful solutions of disputes
· respect for civil rights and fundamental liberties
· fulfilment in good faith of obligations in virtue of international law

Set aside the current war against terrorism, it can be said that above mentioned stipulations are frequently being ignored. So either way the OSCE has to turn itself away from the current war against terrorism, ot the OSCE will totally loose all it's credibility.

Upcoming Monday and Tuesday (December 1-2), the OSCE will extensively discuss the war against terrorism ( http://www.osce.org/events/mc/netherlands2003/agenda/). It's not expected that the OSCE will oppose against the current violations against human rights as for example at Guantanamo Bay. On the contrary, it seems that the OSCE will fully commit to the war against terrorism. It's expected that the OSCE will try to make strong arrangements to provide security and intelligense services more possibilities and give them more control over civilians. Especially this kind of repression will lead to more violations of human rights and fundamental liberties and to more oppression against civilians. As a result of this there will be an increase of dissatisfaction which is a breeding ground for even more terrorism. If the OSCE truly stands for it's fundamentals, as recorded in the Helsinki Act, it would be wise to take a strong stand against the increase of repression under the cloak of the fight against terrorism. OSCE also has to make sure the Helsinki Act will be maintained. That is the only way for a safer world to come true. A world without breeding grounds for terrorism where Western leaders can be tackled too. A world where everyone will be equally treated!

That's why an alternative agenda will be presented during a demonstration on Monday December 1st. To force the ministers to speak about above mentioned subjects, so they have to conclude that the current fight against terrorism is a wrong fight. To compose this agenda, the demonstrators will gather Sundaynight November 30st for a jubilee demonstration in front of the Province House in Maastricht.

If anyone wants to try to convince the ministers from the inside they should try to obtain accreditation as soon as possible by http://www.minbuza.nl/ovse, otherwise you will not be able to enter the MECC covention center...

Action and demonstration review:

Sunday 30 November
13.00 hours Big demonstration, starting point
Koningsplein (King Square), http://www.enmasse.tk
18.00 hours Jubilee Demonstration at the Province House

Monday 1 December
12.00 hours Noise Demonstration from Maastricht
Central Train Station to MECC Convention center
Possible other actions and spontanious demonstrations

Tuesday 2 December
unannounced actions (be informed by word of mouth of organise something yourself!)

email: polderwind@hotmail.com