The first half of the year is not yet over but already we have been witness to an inspiring global movement against imperialism, fascism, and all other reaction. The people in various countries are now rising up with renewed interest and vigor against the exploitative and oppressive policies generated by global monopoly and finance capital. Free market globalization is now being thoroughly exposed as a flimsy excuse for neocolonial aggression and the violation of the economic, political, social, and cultural rights of the people. As we buckle up towards the building of a more massive international peoples protest movement in the coming millenium, we invite everyone to participate in the First International Assembly to establish the International League of People's Struggle in Duisberg, Germany, on December 16, 2000. All organizations, movements, parties, and institutions, of whatever size and political persuasion are invited as it seeks to build the broadest popular front against imperialism. Included here are the Proposed Statutes of the League. All those who are interested may communicate with the League's Initiative Committee based in The Netherlands at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or through the following numbers: (tel) 31 30 2310431, (fax) 31 30 2322989. You may also visit the League's website at http://www.geocities.com/ilps.html. We look forward to your active participation in the League. Christian Manila, Philippines PROPOSED STATUTES OF THE INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE OF PEOPLE'S STRUGGLE Preamble We, the undersigned representatives of organizations, hereby proclaim the formation of the International League of Peoples' Struggle (hereinafter referred to as League) the promulgation of the statutes as herein defined. The League shall have a broad mass character and shall be independent of any political party, government or religion. It shall promote, support and develop the anti-imperialist and democratic struggle of the workers and oppressed peoples of the world in order to oppose the ideological, political, military, economic and cultural domination and attacks of imperialism and reaction. The League shall expose and oppose the inhuman policies and acts of the multinational companies, their governments and international instruments such as the IMF, World Bank, WTO and military alliances. The League shall act to realize the unity, cooperation and coordination of the following: workers, unions and organizations of women, youth, peasants, teachers, health workers, journalists, writers, scientists, and technologists, lawyers and other professionals, and popular movements, campaigns and just causes involving such concerns as enumerated in the next paragraph. The League shall stand and fight for the following: 1. National and social liberation from imperialism and all reaction and resistance to foreign aggression and intervention; 2. Human rights in the civil, political, economic, social and cultural fields against state violence, national oppression, class exploitation, fascism, racism and religious bigotry; 3. The cause of peace against wars of aggression and against nuclear and other genocidal weapons; 4. Independent trade union and workers' and toilers' rights and reduction of working hours at full pay against mass unemployment and decreasing wage levels; 5. Rights of peasants, farm workers and fisherfolk against feudal and semifeudal exploitation and oppression; 6. The rights of women and rights against all forms of sexual discrimination, exploitation and violence; 7. Rights of the youth to education and employment; 8. Children's rights against child labor and other forms of exploitation; 9. Rights of indigenous peoples, oppressed nations and nationalities against chauvinism and racism; 10. The rights of teachers, researchers and other educational personnel; 11. The right of the people to health care and the rights of health workers; 12. The rights, welfare and release of political prisoners; 13. Rights and welfare of displaced persons, refugees and migrant workers; 14. Environmental protection against plunder and pollution; and 15. The right to safe and healthy food free from genetic manipulation. Article I. Aims and Purposes Section 1. The aims and purposes of the League shall include the following: 1.1 To promote a common understanding of those concerns and issues as enumerated in the preamble, 1.2 To stimulate and coordinate common lines of action and undertake definite actions on the aforesaid concerns and issues, 1.3 To cooperate with all possible organizations, institutions and personages in the attainment of the aims and purposes of the League, and 1.4 To raise such resources as to enable the League to realize its aims and purposes and perform its functions. Section 2. The activities of the League shall include the following: advocacy, research, publications, conferences, seminars and social and political action. Article II. Participating Organizations Section 1. Any organization which agrees with the statutes of the League may apply or may be invited to become a participating organization of the League. Section 2. The application shall be evaluated and approved by the duly-authorized organ of the League. Section 3. A participating organization shall assume responsibilities in accordance with the resolutions of the International Assembly of the League and the pertinent decisions of the duly-authorized organs. Section 4. All participating organizations shall have equal basic rights and duties. Section 5. The application fees and annual participation dues shall be decided by the International Coordinating Committee. Article III. International Assembly Section 1. The International Assembly of the League shall be convened once every two years. The International Coordinating Committee shall decide the number of delegates and the criteria and methods for the selection and apportionment of delegates. Section 2. The International Assembly shall decide the policies of the League through resolutions and shall elect the members of the International Coordinating Committee after deciding their number. Section 3. Issues shall be decided by simple majority vote, except on issues of amending the statutes of the League. The International Assembly shall give full play to the efforts of the participating organizations most affected by an issue to resolve their differences, if any. Article IV. The International Coordinating Committee Section 1. The International Coordinating Committee shall be the highest decision-making organ of the League between international assemblies. It shall meet as often as necessary. Section 2. The International Coordinating Committee shall propose the theme and program of the International Assembly and shall ensure that the resolutions of the International Assembly are pursued and implemented and shall report and make recommendations to the International Assembly. Section 3. The International Coordinating Committee shall elect its own officers, a Chairperson, as many Deputy Chairpersons as may be needed with respect to functions and geographic distribution, a General Secretary, Treasurer and Auditor. Section 4. The chairperson shall be the chief representative and spokesperson of the League and shall be strictly bound by the resolutions of the International Assembly. Section 5. The International Coordinating Committee shall give full play to the efforts of the participating organizations to maintain their solidarity and broad character in accordance with the statutes of the League and resolutions of the International Assembly. Article V. The General Secretariat Section 1. The International Coordinating Committee shall form the General Secretariat on the basis of recommendations of the General Secretary. The General Secretariat shall consist of the General Secretary and as many deputies as may be appointed by the International Coordinating Committee to undertake administrative functions. Section 2. The General Secretariat shall be responsible for the daily administration and implementation of all other functions as may be assigned by the International Coordinating Committee and shall report and make recommendations to the International Coordinating Committee. Article VI. National Chapters Section 1. On the basis of recommendations of and in consultation with the participating organizations in the country concerned, the International Coordinating Committee shall decide the general guidelines for the formation of the national chapter of the League. Section 2. Every national chapter shall elect its officers in a national assembly of representatives of participating organizations. The national chapter shall determine its own organizational structure. Section 3. Said committee shall decide on the application of mass formations that wish to participate in the national chapter. In this connection, it shall promote the broad alliance of participating organizations in accordance with the aims and purposes of the League. Section 4. The national chapters shall have equal basic rights and duties in the League. They shall enjoy their independence and initiative even as they shall contribute to the realization of the aims and purposes of the League. VII. Patrons of the League Section 1. On the basis of recommendations of national chapters or participating organizations, the International Coordinating Committee shall select and invite the eminent persons and outstanding individuals in their fields of activity to become Patrons of the League and to receive such honors as it may decide. Section 2. The Patrons of the League shall promote the aims and purposes of the League and raise the prestige of the League in any appropriate manner. They may provide advice to the International Coordinating Committee and the latter may consult them as resource persons. Article VIII. Funds and Resources Section 1. The basic operations of the International Coordinating Committee and the General Secretariat shall be financed by membership dues and contributions of participating organizations. Section 2. Subject to approval by the International Coordinating Committee, the General Secretariat shall recommend the methods of raising funds and resources through concrete projects and unconditional contributions from various sources. Section 3. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the safekeeping and accounting of funds and other material resources of the League. The Treasurer shall be subject to periodic and timely audit by the Auditor. Section 4. The Auditor shall conduct periodic and timely audits of all financial accounts and shall report to any leading organ he/she deems necessary. IX. General Provisions Section 1. The International Assembly shall have the power to amend the statutes by two-thirds majority. Section 2. The emblem and headquarters of the League shall be decided by the International Coordinating Committee. X. Transitory Provisions Section 1. These draft statutes shall be subject to amendment and ratification by a simple majority of the First International Assembly. Section 2. The Initiative Committee shall prepare the First International Assembly and shall organize the provisional general secretariat for the purpose. It shall cease to exist upon the election of the International Coordinating Committee. ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com
