Nieuws van de afdeling

17 September 2004

Trade Union Federation and SP protest at asbestos producer James Hardie’s shareholders’ meeting

This morning the SP, together with workers of the FNV, the Netherlands’ main trade union federation, took action during the shareholders’ meeting of asbestos firm James Hardie in Amsterdam. Also present at the protest were representatives of a number of Australian and British trade unions and the chairmen of the Dutch and Australian Asbestos Committees. One of the firm’s victims, who suffers from asbestosis, spoke during the meeting, calling on shareholders to face up to their responsibilities.

3 September 2004

Agriculture Minister Veerman indifferent to animal welfare

Dutch Agriculture Minister Cees Veerman, current holder of the Presidency of the Eu Council of Agriculture Ministers, has categorically refused to commit himself to establishing a maximum time for the transport of farm animals. The refusal came in answer to a question from SP Euro-MP Kartika Liotard, who described his failure to seize the opportunity to limit travel times as “scandalous”.

16 August 2004

EU Constitution is a political programme

A massive “no” in the referendum – a “no” to what is in reality no constitution but instead a neoliberal manifesto – would be good for Europe.

12 July 2004

EU Commission must drop renewed attempt to liberalise ports

The SP’s European Parliamentary Group has expressed its "extreme disquiet" over a renewed attempt by European Commissioner De Palacio to liberalise dockwork in European harbours. Unqualified dockworkers would, under the proposals, be permitted to perform tasks currently reserved for properly trained and qualified personnel. Almost precisely the same proposals last year provoked mass resistance from European dockworkers, leading to the measure’s rejection by the European parliament.

9 July 2004

International Court of Human Rights Judgement clear: Bot must accept the Court’s decision and act accordingly

The International Court of Human Rights (ICHR) has determined that Israel’s building of the wall in the occupied Palestinian Territory is against international law. According to the Court, Israel cannot fall back on the right of self-defence. The Israelis were enjoined by the Court to respect the rights of the Palestinian people and thus uphold the rules of international law. The wall must therefore be demolished. “It’s time that Foreign Minister Bernard Bot showed the courage to draw the right conclusions from this judgement and to act accordingly,” said Socialist Party (SP) MP Harry van Bommel.

5 July 2004

Facts don’t support the idea that the EU is lagging behind the US

Netherlands Economics Minister Laurens-Jan Brinkhorst is constantly harping on about Europe’s poor economic performance relative to the US. This is a completely inaccurate picture designed to soften the Dutch people up for savage attacks on their social security and welfare system, argues Dutch Socialist Party leader Jan Marijnissen.

International