Jul 02, 2010

UNPO Newsletter June 2010


Recent UNPO events, activities, plans and publications are summarized in this Newsletter, June 2010.

Dear UNPO Members and Friends,

June 12 marks the anniversary of last year’s election in Iran, when violence and suppression was inflicted upon peaceful demonstrators who disputed the result and protested against the lack of inclusivity in the electoral process. In 2009 most media outlets failed to notice that a substantial proportion of the Iranian population had already made their political statement before the ballot boxes opened. To mark the occasion one year on from the elections, UNPO organised a 2 day conference and round table event entitled ‘Democratic Movements in Iran: Pitfalls and Potentials’, which was held in the Italian Chamber of Deputies in Rome with the support of the Nonviolent Radical Party. More then 100 participants attended events over the two days, which included a parliamentary hearing in the Subcommittee on Human Rights, to discuss means to strengthen inclusivity for all ethnic groups in Iran in democratic process.

UNPO and SOITM had also planned a conference in the European Parliament on 10 June 2010 to continue their conference series examining the situation of minorities in Northern Iraq in the European Parliament entitled “Finding Solutions to the Disputes in the North.”  Tragically, Mr. Bashar Hamid MP, a key speaker for the conference was assassinated outside his home by unknown gunmen.  The conference and planned hearing in the Dutch Parliament has subsequently been postponed to the end of 2010.
 
As efforts are made to resolve the BP oil spill crisis in the Gulf of Mexico, the apex organization of the Ogoni people, MOSOP, has called on Nigeria’s Federal Government and its counterparts at the other tiers to emulate the commendable and people friendly position taken on the disaster by the United States Government to protect and defend public good.

After series of postponements, Somaliland's citizens finally cast their votes on Saturday, June 26th  International observation missions travelled to Somaliland to monitor the electoral processes in what will be a landmark election for Somaliland and the Horn of Africa region.  UNPO has been following the run-up to the elections for several months and look forward to furthering its engagement with the Somaliland authorities.  The International Republican Institute noted that the “international community should credit such democratic progress and the example it sets for others.”

Following news of his death, UNPO commemorates the life of Mr. Hasan di Tiro, founder of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). Under his leadership, GAM was a very involved and highly regarded member of UNPO since they attained membership on 6 August 1991. UNPO members and staff are paying their deepest respect to Mr. Hasan di Tiro and express condolences to Mr. Di Tiro’s family and friends.

Best wishes and kind regards,

Marino Busdachin
UNPO General Secretary

For the complete activities overview, click here