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Statements Archive |
LAST UPDATE
July 11, 2005
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| March 11, 2004 |
Response to March 11 Madrid Terror Attack: A joint declaration |
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On March 20, 2004 – a Global Day of Action Against war and
in commemoration of the US-led invasion of Iraq, our foremost thoughts are for the victims and
the relatives of the victims of the March 11 Madrid terror attacks.
Further, we remember all the
victims that the escalation of violence brought about by the US-led 'war on terror' has produced
in the world, mainly in Iraq. We remember this violence, while recognizing the increasingly cogent
link between the March 11 attacks and the Spanish government's policy of support for the illegal
occupation of Iraq.
The Spanish government under Jose Maria Aznar has been one of the strongest
supporters of the illegal war and occupation in Iraq. By doing so, the Spanish government has chosen
to defy the will of the vast majority of the Spanish people. And as demonstrated by the March 11
attacks in Madrid, the Spanish government has consequently put its own people at risk.
The newly
elected government under Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero announced a change in policy on Iraq starting
with the withdrawal of Spanish troops from Iraqi territory. However, at the same time in Japan,
the Koizumi administration is not only insisting on keeping its troops in Iraq, but also strengthening
its support for the war. In effect, the Japanese government is in violation of Article 9 of the
Japanese Constitution.
Japanese and Spanish representatives of civil society support the Spanish
government's decision while condemning the Japanese government's policy of involvement in the illegal
occupation. Together, we appeal to international civil society and the international community
for a comprehensive revision of the policy carried out in Iraq. The illegal occupation is engendering
violence, insecurity and fear and suffering, while diverting funds and efforts away from the fight
against poverty, from the protection of human life and the environment. |
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Consequently we call for:
- all governments from the occupying coalition, including the United States, the United Kingdom
and Japan, to follow the Spanish example and declare a withdrawal of their troops from Iraqi
territory.
- the reconstruction of Iraq to be carried out under the direction of the Iraqi people themselves.
It should benefit the people of Iraq, follow their own development priorities, and be supported
by the United Nations system and the international community, including individual governments
and civil society organizations.
- the principles of transparency and accountability, and respect for human rights (including
respect of human dignity and the right to privacy) be the main guiding principles in
all policies seeking to combat terrorism.
- the Japanese government to implement in its foreign policies the letter and spirit of Article
9 of the Japanese constitution, thus promoting them as universal values. No country
has the right to use violence and force to resolve international conflicts.
We believe that it is possible to prevent all violent conflict and terrorism by peaceful
means. And in the unfortunate instance when conflict breaks out, we believe there is always
a non-violent way to resolve it. |
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Signed by:
- Fundacio per la Pau, Barcelona, Spain
- International Peace Bureau, Barcelona, Spain
- Peace Boat, Japan
This statement was endorsed on March 20, 2004 in Tokyo by an additional 47 organizations working
in the fields of peace, nuclear and environmental issues including:
- Japan Catholic Council for Justice and Peace
- VAWW-NET Japan
- APPF (Asia Pacific Peace Forum)
- Femin
- CHANCE!pono2
- ATTAC Japan
- APA Japan
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