Resolution in solidarity with the struggle of peoples of Middle East for peace, democracy and progress

We express full support and solidarity with the struggles of the peoples of the Middle East, and democratic, progressive forces and Communist parties, against repressive and despotic reactionary regimes, for peace, freedom, democracy, national sovereignty and social justice.

We the undersigned communist and workers parties attending the 15th IMCWP in Lisbon, 8 to 10 November 2013 note with concern the dangerous situation developed in the Middle East region in recent years.  We further note the role that the reactionary forces of political Islam are playing in the region.  The role played by these forces in the countries of the Middle East, from Sudan to Afghanistan and Iran, has been directed against the interest of the working class movement for mobilising the masses in the struggle for peace, social justice and progress. 
The US and its EU allies have exploited the political developments in the region to prepare the ground for and justifying direct and indirect military intervention in the Middle East and undermine the popular desire for genuine democratic change.  An integral part of the “New Middle East Plan” as advocated by the US and the EU has been emergence and growth of “political Islam” in the region.  With direct and indirect support though imperialism’s loyal allies Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar reactionary Islamist forces have been able to consolidate their influence in a number of countries. 
The reactionary right exploiting the current global economic crisis has been able to reinforce dictatorship with populist slogans and crush the progressive forces.  In the Middle East different strands of ‘political Islam’ have used the economic crisis and the growing poverty in order to gain a dominant political position and utterly suppress progressive forces – especially the communists.   
We consider the forces of political Islam from Taliban in Afghanistan and the theocratic regime in Iran to Islamic Justice and Development Party in Turkey and the Moslem Brotherhood in Egypt and the Islamic government in Sudan are fundamentally acting against the interests of the working class movements.  We are of the view that in spite of certain variation amongst forces representing political Islam, the key attributes of their policies are disdain for democracy and disregard towards real social justice. They have demonstrated a proven track record and commitment towards the brutal forms of neoliberal economic models that favour the interests of the rich and powerful.
We express full support and solidarity with the struggles of the peoples of the Middle East, and democratic, progressive forces and Communist parties, against repressive and despotic reactionary regimes, for peace, freedom, democracy, national sovereignty and social justice.

1.    Tudeh Party of Iran
2.    Sudanese Communist Party
3.    Communist Party of Egypt
4.    Communist Party of Iraq
5.    Communist Party of Israel
6.    Communist Party of Lebanon
7.    People’s Party of Palestine
8.    Communist Party of Australia
9.    Communist Party of Azerbaijan
10.    Democratic Progressive Tribune of Bahrain
11.    Syrian Communist Party
12.    South African Communist Party
13.    PADS, Algeria
14.    Communist Party of India
15.    Communist Party of India (Marxist)
16.    Communist Party of Pakistan
17.    Communist Party of Sri-  Lanka
18.    Communist Party of Tajikistan
19.    Workers Party of Belgium
20.    Communist Party of Britain
21.    AKEL of Cyprus
22.    Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia
23.    Communist Party of Finland
24.    French Communist Party
25.    Communist Party of Denmark
26.    Communist Party in Denmark
27.    German Communist Party (DKP)
28.    Hungarian Workers’ Party
29.    Communist Party of Ireland
30.    Workers Party of Ireland
31.    Party of the Italian Communists
32.    Communist Party of Malta
33.    New Communist Party of Netherlands
34.    Communist Party Norway
35.    Portuguese Communist Party
36.    Communist Party of Poland
37.    Communist Party of Russian Federation
38.    Communist Party of Soviet Union
39.    Socialist Alliance Party of Romania
40.    Communist Party of Spain
41.    Communist Party of Turkey
42.    New Communist Party of Yugoslavia
43.    Communist Party of Brazil
44.    Communist Party of Canada
45.    Communist Party of Chile
46.    Communist Party of Colombia
47.    Communist Party of Guadalupe
48.    Progressive People’s Party of Guyana
49.    Communist Party of Mexico 
50.    People’s Party of Panama
51.    Communist Party of USA
52.    Communist Party of Uruguay