Statement

The member organisations of the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) have convened for the annual Asia Pacific Committee, 24-27 October 2024, to collectively recognise the importance of youth participation for democracy. We recognise the urgent need for action and solidarity to uphold democratic spaces in the Asia Pacific region, against the threat of rising authoritarianism. 

The committee also emphasised solidarity with our comrades in Myanmar, Tibet, Palestine, and the Middle East who are experiencing grave human rights violations and violence. We deeply denounce the violation of human dignity, life, and rights of all people, and call for the international committee to express solidarity and support to these nations. 

It is imperative to take leadership during this period of political instability. We encourage our communities to take part in collective action, which is crucial in our fight for democracy and social justice. Additionally, we urge our political leaders and Governments to pursue more collaborative actions and establish policies and goals which strengthen democratic institutions.

In this period of shrinking democratic spaces, the Asia Pacific Committee appeals for unity and solidarity with everyone in the region. It is only through a robust and cooperative approach among our organisations that we can commence meaningful and effective action. 

The Asia Pacific Committee firmly resolves:

1. To strengthen the organisational capacity of the IUSY Asia Pacific committee, in order to better support member organisations in their fight for justice, democracy and human rights.

2. To call to protect and promote cultural independence in Tibet and the preservation of their environment and communities. 

3. To call for the restoration of democracy in Myanmar and the immediate removal of the military junta.

4. To strongly urge the Thai government and Thai military to immediately cease any support for the Myanmar military and actively advocate for the reestablishment of democracy in Myanmar.

5. To call for environmental protection and climate change mitigation in Nepal and the rest of the Asia-Pacific Region. 

6.  To call on the Aotearoa New Zealand Government to uphold and honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi .

7. To advocate to uphold international rules-based order in protecting the sovereignty of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea

8. To call on the Thai Government to strengthen democracy, uphold a fair constitution, respect public voices, protect free speech, and release detained activists.

9. To advocate for the strengthening of social welfare in Thailand, reduce inequity, combat all forms of discrimination, and establish antitrust laws to prevent monopolies.

10. To advocate for contextually-appropriate LGBTQIA+ rights globally, including specifically anti discrimination laws, marriage equality and the prohibition of LGBTQIA+ conversion therapy across the Asia-Pacific region, and the globe.

11. To advocate for global comprehensive drug law reform, based on a compassionate, evidence-based, harm reduction approach.

12. To advocate for affordable, fair pricing of life saving medication in the Asia Pacific.

13. To stand in solidarity with comrades and nations under oppression, particularly Tibet, Myanmar and Palestine, with a view to seeing these countries free from occupation in the near future.