http://international.sp.nl/news/ SP - International nl SP - International Sun, 26 May 2013 02:32:02 +0200 Ome Ko's eReSeS-Fieder / Half2.nl http://international.sp.nl/bericht/109673/130521-time_for_large_scale_mobilisation_against_tax_evasion_in_europe.html Tue, 21 May 2013 21:15:00 +0200 webmaster@sp.nl (Webmaster International) 109673@http://international.sp.nl The European Parliament and the European Commission called during today’s debate on tomorrow’s European Council meeting for concrete measures against tax evasion, an issue on which the Irish, currently holding the EU’s six-month rotating presidency, remain vague. SP Euro-MP Dennis de Jong stated the party’s position during the debate. ‘Even tax inspectors no longer get why ordinary taxpayers and small businesses have to pay their full whack while multinationals pay hardly any tax or none at all,’ he said. ‘If the European Council doesn’t tackle this tomorrow, they will lose all credibility.’ http://international.sp.nl/bericht/109646/130519-weeklog_dennis_de_jong_the_arrogance_of_francois_hollande.html Sun, 19 May 2013 10:15:00 +0200 webmaster@sp.nl (Webmaster International) 109646@http://international.sp.nl This week French President Francois Hollande launched his plan for a European government. Yet another politician going all out for a federal Europe. Yet just a few weeks ago the EU’s statistical bureau Eurobarometer published the latest figures on the confidence people have in the European Union. What do we find? In France the percentage who say that they have no confidence in the EU has risen from 41% in 2007 to 59%. Hollande simply ignores this mistrust. This is dangerous and affects every one of us, because at June’s European Council he will undoubtedly attempt to persuade his fellow leaders of the correctness of his ideas. Before you know it we will be a step further on the road to a federal Europe. http://international.sp.nl/bericht/109496/130517-lifting_eu_sanctions_on_burma_sends_wrong_signal.html Fri, 17 May 2013 22:45:00 +0200 webmaster@sp.nl (Webmaster International) 109496@http://international.sp.nl Sanctions against Burma have given effective support to the country’s democratisation process. Now, however, the big stick has gone. http://international.sp.nl/bericht/109616/130517-sp_and_palestine_research_body_call_on_pharmacy_customers_not_to_help_pay_for_israeli_occupation.html Fri, 17 May 2013 14:58:00 +0200 webmaster@sp.nl (Webmaster International) 109616@http://international.sp.nl Distributing flyers at a pharmacy in Castricum as part of the campaign ‘There’s no beauty in an occupation’, SP Member of Parliament Harry van Bommel and Nicole Hollenberg of the Palestine research and services group docP today called on shoppers not to buy goods which profit the Israeli occupation. http://international.sp.nl/bericht/109637/130516-time_for_rehabilitation_of_dutch_soldiers_who_refused_to_burn_village.html Thu, 16 May 2013 22:00:00 +0200 webmaster@sp.nl (Webmaster International) 109637@http://international.sp.nl The Dutch government must hasten the rehabilitation of soldiers who disregarded orders while serving in colonial Indonesia. http://international.sp.nl/bericht/109499/130515-foreign_minister_shares_sp_concerns_over_position_of_bahai_in_iran.html Wed, 15 May 2013 20:00:00 +0200 webmaster@sp.nl (Webmaster International) 109499@http://international.sp.nl During today’s parliamentary debate on freedom of religion and belief, Minister of Foreign Affairs Frans Timmermans stated his agreement to the call from SP Member of Parliament Harry van Bommel to draw the Iranian authorities attention to the perilous situation of the Baha’i community in their country. ‘For five years seven Baha’i leaders have languished in prison without justification, simply as a result of their beliefs,’ says Van Bommel. ‘I am extremely worried about this and am pleased that the minister shares these concerns and has agreed to ask the Iranian ambassador to give his attention to this. United Nations human rights experts called on Iran earlier this week to release these religious leaders with immediate effect.’ http://international.sp.nl/bericht/109346/130512-weeklog_dennis_de_jong_a_meal_at_the_european_parliament_for_2500.html Sun, 12 May 2013 09:05:00 +0200 webmaster@sp.nl (Webmaster International) 109346@http://international.sp.nl Scarcely noticed in the media, but nonetheless shocking: this week I received from the unequalled lobby watchdog Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) a copy of a letter which they had sent to the president of the European Parliament concerning the fact that the organisation of former MEPs is giving firms access to its annual dinner for a fee of €2500 for a table for eight. But more than that, they also offer guaranteed access to European Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, who will give the speech at the dinner, and the right to ask her questions. In the business world this sort of practice isn’t unusual, but it’s totally unworthy of an institution which professes to represent the people. It is, moreover, in conflict with the recently adopted code of conduct for MEPs and ex-MEPs. http://international.sp.nl/bericht/109271/130511-six_out_of_ten_truck_drivers_see_no_future_in_road_haulage.html Sat, 11 May 2013 09:26:00 +0200 webmaster@sp.nl (Webmaster International) 109271@http://international.sp.nl Unfair competition, exploitation of foreign workers, and dangerous situations on the road, these are just a selection from the stories included in survey forms on the future of the transport sector completed by some 3000 Dutch truck drivers. ‘In recent years I’ve heard a great deal about the problems faced by truck drivers,’ says SP Euro-MP Dennis de Jong, ‘but the outcome of this enquiry is nevertheless shocking. Six out of ten do not believe they will be able to continue to drive trucks for a living, given the problems in the sector.’ http://international.sp.nl/bericht/109121/130510-labour_migration_is_a_class_issue.html Fri, 10 May 2013 16:00:00 +0200 webmaster@sp.nl (Webmaster International) 109121@http://international.sp.nl Jan Marijnissen - On a warm Sunday morning people gathered in the centre of Oss, my home town, all of them men, all of Spanish origin. Everyone else had left town, either to go and enjoy themselves by the Maas or to do a little cycling around Herperduin. It put me in mind of lonely Sunday afternoons during my time at boarding school. What kind of a life must that be? Months away from home, far away from your wife and children? http://international.sp.nl/bericht/109241/130510-van_bommel_china_denies_oppression_of_tibetans_and_uighurs.html Fri, 10 May 2013 09:54:00 +0200 webmaster@sp.nl (Webmaster International) 109241@http://international.sp.nl SP Member of Parliament Harry van Bommel has expressed disappointment at the reactions which he has encountered in China in response to his concerns about the position of minorities there. ‘Reports from human rights organisations have shown time and again the serious abuses of rights, including those of the Tibetan and Uighur communities,’ says Van Bommel. ‘Political bigwigs in China tell me, however, that there’s nothing in these reports and that everything is going extraordinarily well. These reactions show clearly that when it comes to respect for the human rights of minorities in China there’s still a long way to go.’