Turkey Earthquake: The Communist Party (TKP) on the frontline of solidarity and material aid

From the very first time after the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit southern Turkey and parts of Syria, the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) mobilized all its resources in order to provide aid to the affected people. Members and supporters of TKP participated in rescue teams while others gathered humanitarian aid in numerous cities across the country. 

TKP has issued reports for the days following the earthquake, describing the situation and the role of the Party in providing actual solidarity to the earthquake-hit people.

Ukrainian regime removed the statue of Soviet hero Nikolai Vatutin who liberated Kiev in WWII

The statue of Soviet hero Nikolai Vatunin in Kiev.

In another episode of anti-communist, anti-soviet frenzy in Ukraine, the authorities of Kiev proceeded to the removal of the monument of Nikolai Vatunin, the Soviet General who led the liberation of the Ukrainian capital from the Nazis in World War Two. 

During the Soviet offensive to retake right-bank Ukraine, Vatutin led the 1st Ukrainian Front, which was responsible for the Red Army's offensives to the west and the southwest of Kiev and the eventual liberation of the city. The removal of Vatunin's statue is another link in the chain of the so-called "de-russification" in Ukraine, an anti-communist process that identifies the Soviet Union with capitalist Russia thus leading to the demolition of Soviet-era monuments and memorials (Read: Kiev street renamed to honor neo-Nazi criminals).

Letter to Turkey: “Stay strong my comrade Mehmet”

By Nikos Mottas.

The powerful and destructive earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria on Monday brought memories from the 17 August 1999 earthquake (7.6 magnitude earthquake) in Turkey's Kocaeli province, causing approximately 18,000 deaths. 

Two days later, on 19 August, the front page (photo) of the party newspaper of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) “Rizospastis” was reading: “Stay strong my comrade Mehmet”. It was an article written by journalist Pavlos Rizargiotis, emphasizing on the proletarian solidarity expressed by the workers and the people of Greece towards their neighbors. Freely translated, the article, a magnificent sample of internationalist solidarity, was the following:

Stay strong my comrade Mehmet

Greek communist MEPs call the EU to lift sanctions against earthquake-hit Syria

With a letter addressed to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the MEPs of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), Kostas Papadakis and Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos, demand the immediate lift of the embargo against Syria.

More specifically, as 902 portal reported, the two KKE eurodeputies write:

Communist Party of Turkey-TKP: Organizing people's solidarity after the earthquake

The Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) has released a statement following the powerful earthquake that hit the country early on Monday, February 6, calling on the citizens to grow solidarity.

Dear comrades,

We are in deep grief and very sorry to inform you that the destruction and damage caused by the earthquake seem quite massive.

For a brief information: 

Türkiye — Suriye halkları ile dayanışma | التضامن مع شعوب تركيا — سوريا | Solidarity with the people of Turkey and Syria

Greece's PAME calls for material aid to earthquake-hit people of Turkey and Syria: "You are not alone"

In a statement following the devastating earthquake that hit regions of South Eastern Turkey and Syria, the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) expresses its full proletarian solidarity and calls for the collection of material aid for the earthquake-hit people:

"PAME stands by our brothers and sisters, the workers and the peoples of Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and all the neighboring countries affected by the massive earthquake in the morning of Monday, 6 February. We are shocked to see the images, especially from the region at the epicentre of the earthquake, where once again natural phenomena have victimised the poor people.

KKE expresses full solidarity with the earthquake-hit people of Turkey and Syria

Statement by Dimitris Koutsoumbas, General Secretary of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), concerning the disastrous earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria:

"We express our full solidarity with the peoples of Turkey and Syria, who currently need urgent and coordinated international aid to rescue the missing persons and provide effective support to the people affected by the earthquake. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and our wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured.

Greece: Protest against the presence of USS George W. Bush in Piraeus

Thousands of protesters attended a militant rally organized by the local organization of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) on Saturday in Piraeus, sending a resounding message against the presence of USS “George W. Bush” aircraft carrier in the country's largest port.

With slogans like “neither land nor water to the murderers of the people”, the demonstrators made clear that they won't tolerate the transformation of Greece into a vast US-NATO military base and the country's participation in the warmongering imperialist plans. 

Justice For Tyre Nichols!

The brutal murder of 29-year-old African American Tyre Nichols by five police officers on January 7 in Memphis, Tennessee, brought memories of George Floyd's murder in 2020, sparking nationwide protests against police violence and racial discrimination.

In a statement, the African American Equality Commission of the Communist Party, USA (CPUSA) writes:

The Communist Party USA condemns the recent brutal police killings of Tyre Nichols, Keenan Anderson, Manuel Esteban Paez Teran (aka Tortuguita), and Herman Whitfield III. We demand justice for all victims of police crimes and terror, and an end to police killing Black people and the mentally ill.

Stalin bust unveiled in Volgograd to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Stalingrad victory

A new bust of Soviet leader Josef Stalin has been unveiled in the Russian city of Volgograd ahead of Wednesday's 80th anniversary of the Red Army's victory over Nazi invaders in one of the most significant battles of World War Two.

The bust is flanked by two others - legendary Soviet commanders Georgy Zhukov and Alexander Vasilyevsky - beside the Museum of the Battle of Stalingrad - Volgograd's name from 1925 to 1961, the local news outlet V1.RU reported on Tuesday. 

KKE: Resolution of the Central Committee on the political developments and the upcoming elections

Resolution by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) on the political developments and the upcoming electoral battle:

1. The Central Committee of the KKE met and agreed on the Party’s programme of action for the following period, based on the political and economic developments and with a view to the upcoming battle of the parliamentary elections.

It approved the main body of the Party’s candidates in the parliamentary, regional and municipal elections and elaborated key issues concerning the content of the political call in view of the election battles. 

France: Workers protest against government's pension reform in the largest mobilizations of the last 20 years

Huge crowds marched across France on Tuesday to say "non" to President Emmanuel Macron's plan to make people work longer before retirement. 

According to the estimations of Trade Unions, yesterday's mobilization in Paris is the largest since 2000. 

The French Interior ministry said that a total of 1.272 million people took part in the protests nationwide, up slightly from the first nationwide demonstration on Jan 19. In Paris, a total of 87,000 people marched, compared to 80,000 on Jan. 19, it added.

Spanish communists denounce PSOE-Unidas Podemos government for sending weapons to Ukraine

Statement by the Communist Party of the Workers of Spain (PCTE): 

On the Confirmation of the Delivery of Heavy Weaponry to Ukraine by the Spanish Government

After the authorization by the German Government to deliver Leopard armored car models to the Ukrainian Army, the Spanish Government has immediately announced that our country will collaborate in the delivery of some dozens of its own A4. 

Mass event of the KKE in Thessaloniki

On Saturday 28/01, the “Palais des Sports” stadium in Thessaloniki was filled with thousands of toiling people of all ages who responded to the invitation of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and participated in the mass political-cultural event of the Party Organization of Central Macedonia of the KKE. The speech was delivered by Dimitris Koutsoumbas, GS of the CC of the KKE.

The event highlighted the positive impact of the KKE’s call to the people to turn the page and write their own story, focusing on their needs.

Grover Furr: Message for Nikos Mottas' book on Stalin and Anti-communism

Message sent by Professor Grover Furr on the occasion of the presentation of Nikos Mottas' book titled "Yes, but Stalin..." in Athens:

"I am glad to hear that Nikos Mottas’ book exposing and opposing the attacks on the Soviet Union, especially on the period of Soviet history when Joseph Stalin was the leader of the Communist Party and, for some period, of the government of the Soviet Union.

Communist Party of the Workers of Spain: Assessment of the three years of PSOE-UP coalition government

Statement of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Workers of Spain (PCTE): Adopted by the 6^th Plenary Session of the Central Committee

January 14^th, 2023

Assessment on the Three Years of the Government of Social Democratic Coalition

On December 30^th, 2019 Pedro Sánchez and Pablo Iglesias signed the “progressive coalition” agreement that led, in January 2020, to the inauguration of the first Spanish Government of coalition after the Transition with Pedro Sánchez as Prime Minister.

Czech historians indicted for challenging the official narrative on the Katyn massacre!

Josef Skála

On 31 October 2022, Tomáš Hübner, single judge of the Prague 7 District Court, sentenced Josef Skála, a well-known Marxist intellectual and former vice-president of the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM), together with Vladimír Kapal, and Juraj Václavík, all three indicted, to eight months’ imprisonment, under Article 405 of the Criminal Code of the Czech Republic, for having challenged the version attributing the Katyn massacre (the killing of thousands of Polish prisoners of war on the territory of the USSR, occupied by the Wehrmacht in the summer of 1941) to the Soviet leadership.

KKE MEPs: On the “creation of a special tribunal for Russia” - The peoples must judge and condemn the imperialist war

MEPs OF THE KKE 

On the “creation of a special tribunal for Russia” - The peoples must judge and condemn the imperialist war

A resolution on the “creation of a special tribunal for Russia” was adopted on 19/1/23 by the People’s Party, the Social Democrats, the Liberals, the Greens and far-right groups in the European Parliament. The 2 KKE MEPs voted against it.

In a statement on the resolution, the MEPs of the KKE stress the following:

Venezuela: The PCV is in the streets to confront the anti-popular policies of the Maduro government

"The PCV is in the streets, fighting for the construction of the broadest unity of action to confront the offensive of capital and its allies in Miraflores," affirmed Janohi Rosas, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Venezuela, during a press conference this Monday.

The statements coincided with a new national day of protest by the education workers, who had planned to gather outside the Ministry of Education but had to concentrate in the surroundings of the Central University of Venezuela after the National Government ordered a last minute partisan act to avoid the protest.

KKE condemns the murder of Latif Afridi in Pakistan

Abdul Latif Afridi, prominent jurist, former member of the CC of the Communist Party of Pakistan and former President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, was murdered by a lawyer inside the Peshawar high court. 

 

The gunman fired six shots at 79-year old Afridi's chest from less than a foot away, a witness said.  

 

Latif Afridi was a staunch human rights defender, leaving behind a significant legacy of decades-long struggles for democracy and the people's rights. 

Trade unionist leader Muhammad Shaban Azouz dies

Muhammad Shaban Azouz, prominent trade unionist leader from Syria and former President of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), died on Monday in Damascus, aged 70. 

Azouz, a native of Aleppo, was a long-time member of the central leadership of Al-Baath Arab Socialist Party.

In a statement, the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) stresses out:

"With great sorrow, the WFTU informs about the passing away of comrade Mohammad Shaban Azouz who served as president of the WFTU.

Dutch communists: "The Netherlands should not be a transit port for the US military"

The New Communist Party of the Netherlands (NCPN) and the Communist Youth Movement (CJB) condemn the dangerous decisions of the Dutch government to make the port of Vlissingen and Dutch territory available as a transit port for a huge transport of heavy military equipment of the US army.

At Vlissingen port, 1,275 US tanks, armoured vehicles and other military equipment are currently being unloaded and transported across Dutch territory to Poland and Lithuania. They are destined for a US land force unit, which will be stationed there to further increase pressure on Russia.

Communist Party of Greece: Valuable experience of the USSR in the struggle for socialism

On 14 January 2023, the Revolutionary Communist Party of France organized an event in Paris on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Soviet Union. Below, you can find the contribution made at the event by Eliseos Vagenas, member of the CC of the KKE and Head of the International Relations Section.

“If someone said that the Soviet Union would disintegrate, for us it would be like the sun would not rise the next day” the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, had said in an interview. This phrase captures the feelings of millions of communists and other progressive people who understood that the overthrow of socialism and the dissolution of the Soviet Union would mean a major social setback for the working people all over the world.

The terrible legacy of Constantine Glücksburg

Constantine (center) with the military Junta leaders, 1967.

Constantine Glücksburg, son of Paul and Federicka, who died on Tuesday 10 January aged 82, was the last representative of the institution of monarchy in Greece, reigning between 1964 and 1973.

The monarchy in Greece didn't arise as in other states, as a remnant of the transition from feudalism to capitalism, but was introduced after the 1821 Revolution as a result of the direct intervention of the “Great Powers” of the time (Great Britain, France, Russia), in collaboration with part of the rising Greek bourgeoisie. As an institution, it didn't evolve into a “decorative ornament”, as it happened in other capitalist states, but retained its role as a center of power, always embedded in the framework of the bourgeois state with direct links to international capitalist centers. 

Kenyan Communist Party member murdered by police

Felix Musili, a member of the Communist Party of Kenya (CPK), was brutally murdered by police forces on January 11th. 

More specifically, a statement issued by the CPK stresses out: On January 11, 2023, at about 5 am, three uniformed police officers stormed the home of Felix's parents in Mumbuni, Kitui and took Felix's life with several gunshots. Felix was shot right in front of his parents and siblings. His murder was carried out only a few days after President Ruto appeared on national TV to assure the Kenyans that extra-judicial killings common with every successive regime in Kenya would be a thing of the past.

European Parliamentary Group of the KKE: People's housing: 'Green', expensive commodity in the EU and capitalism. The communists' proposal for a way out

The event of the European Parliamentary Group of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) titled “People's housing: 'Green', expensive commodity in the EU and capitalism. The communists' proposal for a way out”, which took place on Monday 5 December in the European Parliament in Brussels, was an opportunity for communists to present their valuable militant experience from the struggles for the defence of people's houses in Greece, Spain and Sweden.

KKE: Statement on the Parthenon Sculptures

In a statement issued today, Thursday, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) condemns the unacceptable comments made by Britain's Culture Minister Michelle Donelan who stated that the Parthenon sculptures “belong in the UK”. Recent reports, both in Greece and abroad, have suggested that the British Museum's chairman George Osborne is close to agreeing a deal with the Greek government.

The Press Office of the CC of the KKE points out (here in Greek):

30 years since the Maastricht Treaty: Statement by the European Communist Initiative

In a statement concerning the 30th anniversary of the Maastricht Treaty, also known as Treaty of the European Union, the Secretariat of the European Communist Initiative stresses out:

This December, 30 years have passed since the ratification of the Maastricht Treaty, which marked a closer transnational union at the economic, political, and military level of European capital with the transformation of the European Economic Community (EEC) into the European Union (EU). This meant a new, heavier yoke on the people by the monopolies.

PCV: One year of impunity, Justice for José Urbina!

One year of impunity: Justice for José Urbina! 

On January 10, 2022, José Urbina, a militant of the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV) was shot to death inside his home in Puerto Páez, Apure. 

Urbina was a prominent popular communicator; director of the radio station Frontera 92.5 FM. His case shocked public opinion and today, one year later, impunity and institutional silence have prevailed. 

Turkish Communist Party launches electoral campaign: "TKP comes, everything changes!"

In a press release titled "TKP COMES, EVERYTHING CHANGES", the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) launches its campaign for the 2023 parliamentary elections:

"In 1923, we broke the chains of dependence, we annulled the sultanate and the caliphate.

We overthrew the old and founded the new.

KKE: The storming of Brazil's Congress by far-right groups shows the deep decay of capitalist societies

In a statement concerning the storming of government buildings by followers of Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil's capital, the Press Office of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) points out (here in Greek):

“The methodical invasion of government buildings by far-right supporters of former Brazilian President Bolsonaro and their calls for a coup are directed against the interests of the Brazilian people who are solely responsible for determining the social and political developments in their country.

Brazilian Communist Party: Mass struggle against coup d'état! Fascists will not pass!

The following statement was issued by the National Political Commission of the Brazilian Communist Party (PCB):

On the afternoon of that Sunday, January 8, supporters of Jair Bolsonaro invaded the National Congress and tried to occupy buildings of other public bodies, with the intention of promoting disturbances and giving rise to a coup d'état.

This movement has been articulated for months by sectors of the Brazilian ultra-right, which has strong financial support from businessmen and segments of the military police and the Armed Forces. In different media, extreme right groups have openly guided demonstrations of non-recognition of election results and attacks on democracy.

Communist Party of Sweden (SKP): Contribution at the 22nd International Meeting of Communist and Workers’ Parties (IMCWP)

The contribution of the Communist Party of Sweden (SKP) at the 22nd International Meeting of Communist and Workers’ Parties in Havana.

Dear Comrades, 

The Communist Party of Sweden wishes to thank the Communist Party of Cuba for hosting the 22nd International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties, and to also thank the people of Cuba for the hospitality shown to us. We reiterate our solidarity with the struggle of the Cuban people and condemn the long-standing US blockade of Cuba. A blockade that in its very essence is economic warfare designed to crush the admirable achievements of the Cuban revolution, and to make the Cuban people bend to the demands and exploitation of US imperialism. We demand an immediate end to the imperialist blockade, which for more than six decades has caused the people of Cuba immeasurable harm and hardships. 

Britain: Young Communist League (YCL) calls for action against new Tory anti-strike laws

The Young Communist League (YCL) has issued the following statement in response to the Conservative Party's plans for new laws attacking trade unions and the right to strike in Britain: 

"This week’s announcement by Rishi Sunak’s Tory government that they intend to introduce new legislation attacking trade unions and the right to strike in Britain must be met with determined and united resistance by the labour movement.

Centenario de la fundación de la URSS: El socialismo demostró su superioridad sobre el capitalismo

Por Nikos Mottas.

El 30 de diciembre marcó el centenario desde la fundación del primer estado obrero del mundo, la Unión de Repúblicas Socialistas Soviéticas.

La creación de la URSS fue el resultado práctico de la Gran Revolución Socialista de Octubre de 1917, el evento más importante de la historia moderna que se convirtió en el primer paso consciente para la transición del capitalismo al socialismo y la abolición de la explotación del hombre por el hombre. 

KKE: Message to the Communist Party of Cuba on the 64th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution

On the occasion of the 64th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution, the International Relations Section of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) sent the following message to the Communist Party of Cuba:

"Dear comrades,

On the occasion of the 64th anniversary of the victory of the Cuban Revolution, on 1 January 1959, the KKE extends a warm comradely greeting to the Communist Party and the people of Cuba.

Ukraine's Parliament pays tribute to Nazi collaborator and terrorist Stepan Bandera

On Sunday 1 January, the Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) published on Twitter a photo of the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, General Valeriy Zaluzhny smiling next to a portrait of arch-criminal and Nazi collaborator Stepan Bandera. 

 

Celebrating the 114th birth anniversary of Bandera, the post was accompanied by quotes attributed to the fascist leader. 

Communist and Workers' Parties: Joint Declaration in solidarity with the struggle of the Iranian people

More than 40 Communist and Workers' Parties, participants at the 22nd International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties (IMCWP) in Havana, Cuba in October 2022, co-sign a joint statement in support of the struggle of the people of Iran, calling for peace, justice and progress. The statement is the following:

"We, the undersigned communist and workers' parties, are following with concern the latest developments in the Iran since mid-September 2022.  

Algerian Party for Democracy and Socialism (PADS): "The multipolar world is only a deadly illusion"

“As communists, we consider that it is a mistake to side with Russian imperialism in the name of the advent of a “multipolar world”. This “multipolar world” is only a deadly illusion”, points out the Algerian Party for Democracy and Socialism (Parti Algérien pour la Démocratie et le Socialisme - PADS) in its contribution at the 22nd International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties (IMCWP) which was held in Havana on 27-29 October 2022. 

100th anniversary of the founding of the Soviet Union: Socialism proved its superiority over capitalism

By Nikos Mottas.

December 30th marked the 100th anniversary since the founding of the world's first workers' state, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. 

The creation of the USSR was the practical result of the 1917 Great October Socialist Revolution, the single most important event in modern history that became the first conscious step for the transition from capitalism to socialism and the abolition of the exploitation of man by man. 

Fidel Castro's interview with Barbara Walters, 1977

On May 1977, the legendary leader of Socialist Cuba, Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro, gave an interview to ABC's reporter Barbara Walters (1929-2022). It was Fidel's first interview to U.S. television since the triumph of the Cuban Revolution. Below you can read the full transcript of the interview, accompanied by a video: 

When will your country and my country have normal relations?

Kyrgyzstan — The rehabilitation of Nazi collaborators shall not pass!

Statement by the Socialist Movement of Kazakhstan about the attempt of Kyrgyzstan's government to rehabilitate Nazi collaborators:

In Kyrgyzstan, for the second time, an attempt is being made to carry out total rehabilitation of the "victims of Stalinist repressions" of 1918-1953 through the adoption of a special law on the initiative of deputies of pro-government parties and Speaker of Parliament Nurlan Shakiev. Participants of anti-Soviet uprisings (Basmachi), militants of the Turkestan Legion of the Wehrmacht and Eastern Muslim SS units may fall under the action of this law, as well as last time.

7th Congress of the Communist Party of Mexico: Pável Blanco re-elected as First Secretary

Photos: Solidnet & PCM Twitter.

Pável Blanco was re-elected as First Secretary of the Communist Party of Mexico (PCM) following the Party's 7th Congress. The new Central Committee elected a Political Bureau of 14 members, while Ángel Chávez was appointed director of “El Machete” newspaper and Diego Torres as Second Secretary.

The 7th Congress was held on 16, 17 and 18 December 2022, with the participation of 176 Party delegates and 30 delegates from the Communist Youth. The Congress was also attended by representatives of foreign Communist and Workers' Parties, including the Communist Party o Cuba (PCC), the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), the Communist Party of the Workers of Spain (PCTE), the Peruvian Communist Party and the Brazilian Communist Party (PCB), as well as various trade union organizations and movements from Mexico and Latin America. 

Lazaros Kyritsis, Greek communist resistance fighter, dies at 102

Lazaros Kyritsis, veteran member of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), guerrilla fighter and politician, died in Athens at the age of 102. Kyritsis was a member of the generation of communists who were persecuted, exiled and imprisoned by the bourgeois state in the post-war years.

In a statement published on 902 portal, the Central Committee of the KKE pays farewell to comrade Lazaros Kyritsis, calling him a “firm and unwavering communist, an unbending participant of the class struggle who stood for the people's rights, the high ideals of the struggle for the abolition of the exploitation of man by man, for socialism-communism”. 

Brazilian communist leader Ivan Pinheiro honored in Mexico

Ivan Pinheiro, General Secretary of the Brazilian Communist Party from 2005 to 2016, was honored by the Communist Party of Mexico (PCM) with the “David Alfaro Siqueiros Medal for Revolutionary Merit”, as a recognition of his contribution to the communist movement in Brazil and Latin America.

Pinheiro, a lawyer by profession who stood as a candidate at the 2010 Presidental Elections in Brazil, received the medal during the 7th Congress of the PCM on December 17, 2022.