DIE LINKE Peace Conference: Fight the Reasons of Flight, Stop Arms Exports!
The world seems to have come apart: War and conflicts are spreading worldwide; there is a massive re-armament. A new East West-conflict looms because of the war in Ukraine. 60 million people are on the run worldwide, of whom only very few head for Europe. Yet, one of the wealthiest regions of the world is reluctant to deal with the desastrous consequences of crisis and war in a humanitarian way. Out of this reason DIE LINKE decided to have an exchange about the current challenges of peace policy, to discuss global change, the role of Germany and NATO, and to enhance her peace political profile. At the Peace Conference of past Friday and Saturday more than 350 participants discussed with scientists, experts and activists from movements, parties, trade unions, and Church on 25 podiums and workshops about changes of the world order, the new role of Germany in the world, and left alternatives for a new peace policy. Bernd Riexinger, DIE LINKE party chair, was deeply contented with the course of the conference:
It is time for a fundamental change of course in the German foreign and security policy, which creates terror and reasons for flight instead of eliminating them. DIE LINKE, as strongest opposition party in Bundestag will continue to criticise and fight this policy.
The war on terror failed spectacularly, as is demonstrated by the situation in Afghanistan, Irak, or Libya. Not only is war terror, it breeds terror. Moreover, war is one of the main reasons for flight. In the next month we need to continue taking a decisive stance in the refugee question.
Every weapon kills, every weapon finds its war. We don’t do business with war – that’s what we need to make clear. Fight the reasons of flight, stop arms exports: these could become the core messages of a future campaign. We resolutely oppose the massive military build-up of the Bundeswehr, as is planned by Minister of Defence von der Leyen.
The great majority of the people oppose war and arms exports, yet only a few take to the streets. To activate those people to engage themselves politically is one of the big challenges of the peace movement. Experience shows that the ability to activate people is connected to long term grassroots work.
DIE LINKE will continue to be the voice of the peace movement, participate in actions and call for them. The peace movement can also rely on our position in parliament: we will not approve of military interventions of the Bundeswehr.