ARTICLES & SPEECHES, 2001 - Present

AN OVERVIEW OF THE ILPS
AND THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY

By Prof. Jose Maria Sison
Chairperson, International Coordinating Committee
International League of Peoples' Struggle
Seattle, Washington State
April 8, 2008

May I convey warmest greetings of solidarity to all colleagues and friends who are present in this open house for prospective participants in the Third International Assembly of the International League of Peoples' Struggle and the International Conference of the International Migrants Association in June. I am glad that you have come here to gain more information and prepare for participation in both gatherings .

As chairperson of the International Coordinating Committee of the ILPS, I thank the leadership and membership of the Pacific Northwest Bayan and its affiliate organizations for inviting me to give you an overview of the ILPS and to interact with you at this open house.

My task is made so much easier by the powerpoint about the ILPS presented by Pacific Northwest Bayan. And please consider as underscoring anything I say which echoes the earlier presentation. My overview is similar to that which I gave in New York last February, with the big difference that I give you now the latest draft of the TIA program of activities.

Description of ILPS by its Charter

According to its Charter, the ILPS is an anti-imperialist and democratic formation. It promotes, supports and develops the anti-imperialist and democratic struggles of the peoples of the world, including the workers, peasants, women, youth, professionals and other sectors of society against the ideological, political, military, economic, social and cultural domination and attacks of imperialism and reaction.

It has a broad mass character. It is not subordinate to any political party, government or religious authorities and affords equality to all participating organizations. It strives to realize the unity, cooperation and coordination of anti-imperialist and democratic struggles throughout the world.

It exposes and opposes the oppressive and exploitative policies and acts of the imperialist and puppet states, the multinational companies and imperialist-dominated international agencies, such as the IMF, World Bank and WTO, the UN Security Council and the military alliances such as the NATO and the US-Japan Security Treaty.

18 Concerns of the ILPS

The ILPS stands and fights for the oppressed and exploited peoples in connection with 18 concerns, which are the following:

1. The cause of national liberation, democracy and social liberation against imperialism and all reaction;
2. Socio-economic development for oppressed and exploited countries and nations and social equity for all working people;
3. Human rights in the civil, political, economic, social and cultural fields against state violence, national oppression, class exploitation and oppression, gender oppression, fascism, castism, racism and religious bigotry;
4. The cause of just peace and struggles against wars of counterrevolution and aggression and against nuclear, biological, chemical, missile and other weapons of mass destruction;
5. Promotion of trade union and other democratic rights of the working class, improvement of wage and living conditions against all forms of intensifying exploitation of labor and the destruction of working class organizations in their pursuit of the historic mission of fighting for social liberation;
6. Agrarian reform and rights of peasants, farm workers and fisherfolk against feudal, semifeudal and capitalist exploitation and oppression;
7. The cause of women's liberation and rights against all forms of sexual discrimination, exploitation and violence;
8. Rights of the youth to education and employment;
9. Children's rights against child labor, sexual abuse and other forms of exploitation;
10. Rights of indigenous peoples, national minorities, and nationalities for self-determination and decolonization against discrimination, racism, and national oppression by imperialism and local reaction;
11. The rights of teachers, researchers and other educational personnel and struggle against ideas and researches directed against the people;
12. The right of the people to health and the rights of health workers;
13. Science and technology for the people and development, environmental protection against plunder and pollution and the destruction of the foundations of human life, the right to safe and healthy food and water and opposition to manipulation of genetic technology for imperialist profit;
14. Arts and culture and free flow of information in the service of the people and the rights of artists, creative writers, journalists and other cultural workers against imperialist and reactionary propaganda and oppression;
15. Justice and indemnification for the victims of illegal arrest and detention (especially political prisoners), violations of due process, torture, extra-judicial executions, disappearances, mass displacement, and other blatant forms of human rights violations.
16. Rights and welfare of homeless persons, refugees and migrant workers displaced by imperialism and local reactionaries;
17. Rights of aged people towards a life in dignity and secure existence; and
18. Rights of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people against discrimination, intolerance and homophobia.

1. To promote a common understanding of the aforementioned concerns and issues,
2. To stimulate, facilitate and coordinate common lines of action and undertake definite actions on the aforesaid concerns and issues,
3. To cooperate with all possible organizations, institutions and personages in the attainment of the aims and purposes of the League, and
4. To raise such resources as to enable the League to realize its aims and purposes and perform its functions.