We, the participants of the European Preparatory Activities of the 17th World Festival of Youth and Students, that will take place in South Africa, this December, condemn the anti-communist campaign of the ban of communist symbols, that is developed in Poland. After the Baltic countries, Hungary and Czech Republic another EU country member adopts measures and laws against communist forces.This development is related with the outburst of the international crisis of the capitalist system, in the framework of which the governments of most countries of the world, particularly in Europe, conducted a violent offense against the people and youth’s rights.

Under the umbrella of the measures proposed by imperialist structures as the IMF, World Bank, OECD and EU the workers of all European countries have been presented the withdrawal of their rights as an “inevitable” or “natural”, however the truth is that for most big economic groups their huge profits have either only slightly decreased or, in many cases, even increased.

The unacceptable fact that the workers and youth and being forced to pay with their rights the crisis that was created by the dominant classes and the capitalist system itself - due to its irrational, anarchic and unfair character - has deserved from the workers and youth strong resistance in countless struggles against the measures, in particular, and for a whole economical system that serves the true interests and needs of people and youth rights, unlike the capitalist system.

The dominant classes and the governments and international structures, that serve them, know that the capitalist crisis shows to the peoples the historical time limits of the capitalist system. They know that a strong, organized, emancipated struggle is the most important weapon of the workers and youth to resist and overthrow these measures and policies. This why, side by side with the attack on social rights, the attack is growing at political level, mainly against the organizations who are organizing the struggle and the resistance in a clear attempt to try to refrain them from being successful.

Among different attacks and expressions of this coordinated offense against the anti-imperialist movement, the prohibition of the communist symbols in Poland is a particularly strong example of how far (and even further) the dominant classes are willing to go to make sure their dominance and power is not jeopardized. It expresses also their attempt - especially in the former socialist countries - to disrupt and erase from memory of the peoples the achievements and successes of socialism. We reject the characterization of communism as totalitarian and the equalization of communism and fascism.

In this case, as before with our comrades of KSM from Czech Republic, we analyze that this attack is not a matter of only Polish people, neither communist organizations. An attack of this kind is an attack to all forces that, side by side with the communist organizations, struggle for a world free of imperialism, exploitation man by man and oppression. To remain silent before such a reactionary attempt against our Polish comrades would mean the acceptance of these measures in any country of the world (including our own) and against any party or organization (including ourselves).

In a year such as this one, on the 65th anniversary of the peoples’ victory against Nazi-fascism, to which Soviet Union and the communist forces of all Europe played a decisive role, stopping the biggest ever threat to mankind, it is even more insulting and unfair this whole process of rewriting of History and persecution of those who have historically proved their commitment to the construction of a world of peace and solidarity among the peoples.

Therefore, we demand the cancelling of all the anti-communist laws in all countries and we call upon all anti-imperialist and progressive forces and organizations to mark the first week of September as a week of solidarity towards the Polish communists, against the ban of the communist symbols for freedom, democracy, peace and justice - a world free of imperialism and exploitation!

Following the recent events and laws approved in Poland, from June 8 on the communist symbols will be forbidden in the country. This act, covered and supported by the so self-proclaimed “democratic” European Union, represents an attack to the communist forces of Poland and of the whole world, but also to all those who are true lovers of peace, democratic liberties and rights.WFDY reminds everyone that decision was taken last year, as the president of USA and the remaining NATO members were agreeing on sending 30.000 troops more to continue the occupation of Afghanistan. As a dark coincidence, the decision is being implemented now, as USA is implementing military disposals throughout the lands of Poland to “prevent” any military action coming from East, i.e. Russia.

Once again, as in the wars and occupations of Yugoslavia, Afghanistan and Iraq, imperialism uses “democracy” and “prevention” to impose its domination suffocating all those who resist against its dominant voice.

Furthermore, in times where the historical limits of the capitalist system are so clear as in the framework of this international crisis, it is necessary for the dominant forces to smash all sources of protest and, specially, all forces that can present an alternative to this inhuman and irrational order in which we live.

WFDY considers this a matter of much more than just
the communist forces. For their revolutionary project communists may be the first to be attacked, but after them surely all others who aim to raise their voices against dominance will be smashed. This means that to stand by the Polish communists in this battle is much more than fighting back the prohibition of some symbols, but it is in fact an act of struggle for true democracy and right to an alternative.

Therefore, WFDY calls upon all its member and friend organizations, as well as the partners of the coming 17th World Festival of the Youth and Students, to vehemently protest against this measures in a week of actions from 8 to 15 of June, demanding from their national governments and the government of Poland concrete action to take back all this measures.

The banning of the Union of the Communist Youth of Czech Republic (KSM) was not successful due to the struggle of the Czech youth alongside with thousands of people all around the world, proving it is upon us and our struggle and solidarity to rise to the challenge and fight back: we will defeat imperialism!

WFDY denounces that two members of the Collectives of Young Communists (CJC-Spain, WFDY member organization) and a member of the Communist Party of the Peoples of Spain are facing a trial in which each of them could be sentenced to three years and ten months in prison.The state prosecution claims three years and ten months in prison for three Spanish Communists, members of PCPE and CJC. The prosecutor bases his request on the events that took place in Barcelona on 14 November 2007, on the occasion of the demonstration to protest against the murder of a young anti-fascist in Madrid on November 11, brutally repressed by the Spanish police in an action that caused several injured people.

The comrades that face charge of being the promoters of disorder are accused of a crime related to an event in which not even all of them attended, since the accusation was formed only when they went to the police station with some lawyers to know what was the situation of two other members of CJC Spain that had been arrested in the demonstration.

It is remarkable that all the defendants involved that are not communists are being target of legal action in one process, and all the communists are being target of a different process - this second one counts with one evidence only: the statement of the police.

WFDY denounces this situation and calls upon all its member and friendly organizations to widespread the news and solidarity towards our comrades of CJC Spain. This attack is a part of the attack that has been taking place in the whole world against the democratic rights and freedoms of the peoples, having as main target the anti-imperialist consequent forces in a clear attempt to shut down the struggling capabilities of the youth and peoples.
As per request of our comrades, as one of several expressions of solidarity, you can sign an online petition they are organizing at: http://pcpe.es/formulario2010/index-en.php