The LPP, in close association with the ALRO, has decided to launch the Afghan Workers Solidarity Campaign. The idea to start this campaign was discussed during the recent visit of Alan McCombes (editor, Scottish Socialist Voice). Writing from Peshawar, Alan described the conditions the ALRO face:
The activists I met live in grinding poverty, often eating nothing but potatoes for days at a time. They have no money for leaflets and newspapers. Even if they had they could not distribute them, because they live under a permanent death sentence.
The SSP has decided to actively support this campaign. The LPP and the ALRO are appealing to all the international left organisations and trade union movements to support this campaign.
The main aim of this campaign is to help Afghan workers in their struggle to survive. It will bring material help for the Afghan workers, which will be distributed inside Afghanistan and also in the refugee camps in Pakistan. It will help to strengthen the progressive organisations of the Afghan workers. It will collect and bring the necessities of everyday life to the Afghan workers on an emergency basis.
The suppression by the religious fundamentalists of all democratic and human rights in Afghanistan over the years has left the organisation of the left forces in an absolutely weak position. Many had lost their lives for the cause of socialism in Afghanistan. The rest of them are spending their lives underground, even in exile. Their families have been tortured and sentenced to death by the religious fundamentalists. But the so-called victory of the imperialist forces leaves no better situation for the Afghan left forces. They still have a very difficult life to spread the ideas of socialism.
Active international support is needed to help the Afghan left forces in their struggle to survive and promote their organisations. The LPP has been active in promoting the Afghan left for some years. It now has a plan to produce a monthly paper in the Pushtu language to help the Afghan left in the promotion of their ideas and strategy.
The LPP has already started collecting clothes, medicine, blankets, shoes and other everyday food items to be distributed among Afghan refugees in the camps through ALRO and other Afghan left groups.
Please make cheques and PO’s payable to
Afghanistan Solidarity
.
Send your cash donations to
Afghanistan Solidarity Appeal,c/o SSV,Suites 308/310,4th Floor,Central Chambers,Glasgow,G2 6LD.
[appeal no longer known to be active at time of publication on blog]