The continuous and prolonged interferences and wars of aggression conducted by the USA, NATO and their allies, in the Middle East, in Africa, in Central Asia and in Europe, led to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis with expression in the tens of millions of displaced people, refugees and migrants from countries affected by conflict or bordering them, and sought refuge in countries of the European Union (EU).
It is with concern that the Portuguese Council for Peace and Cooperation follows the evolution of the escalation of tension between NATO and Russia and, in this context, the developments of the situation in Ukraine, which pose serious and huge risks to peace. In view of the seriousness of the situation, the CPPC considers that it is urgent to adopt measures capable of immediately reducing the military escalation and the danger of confrontation and promoting the establishment of measures of mutual trust that, in the long term, will enable détente and safeguard peace.
For weeks, the U.S. corporate media have been shrill in declaring that Russia, having positioned tens of thousands of Russian troops on the border, may be about to invade Ukraine. U.S. State Department spokesmen have been threatening Russia with punishing economic sanctions if there were an invasion. Daily, if not hourly, TV viewers are shown satellite images supposedly showing Russian troop concentrations on the Ukraine border, accompanied by unflattering photos of a scowling Vladimir Putin, depicted as the evil source of the newU.S.-Russia tensions.
On the last 27th of November, the Portuguese Council for Peace and Cooperation (CPPC) held a Peace Assembly, under the motto "Strengthening the Peace Movement".
In this Assembly, which was attended by dozens of CPPC adherents, in addition to the election of its governing bodies, including its Board and its plan of activities, two motions were approved – "The Right to Live in Peace" and "For Disarmament, For Peace" – addressed to the Portuguese peace movement.
Motion "The right to live in peace"
On the last 29th of November, International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, rallies in Porto, Coimbra and Lisbon gathered dozens of people that reaffirmed their solidarity with the Palestinian People and claimed for the End of Israel's occupation and crimes.
Demanding the Portuguese Government to recognise the State of Palestine and condemn Israeli crimes, as it is it's obligation, the slogans chanted affirmed: "Palestine will win!", "It's necessary, it's urgent, independent Palestine!". Representatives of the CPPC, MPPM and CGTP-IN spoke.
Rallied in Lisbon, dozens of people stand in solidarity with Cuba reaffirming: «End the US blockade! Cuba will win».
At the rally held in the late afternoon of 15 November in solidarity with Cuba, for the end of the blockade and the right to development and sovereignty, the slogans chanted affirmed "Cuba yes! Blockade no!" and "Cuba will win. Representatives of the CPPC, CGTP-IN, the Portugal-Cuba Friendship Association and the Noise Project Association spoke.
The WPC held successfully the Regional Meeting of the Asia &Pacific on 6th December 2021 in Dhaka, hosted by the Bangladesh Peace Council (BPC) at the Foreign Service Academy of Bangladesh. The hybrid Meeting with in-person and virtual participation via Zoom, counted with the participation of the members from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Japan, Sri Lanka, Australia, Philippines, Laos and Vietnam while it received also written messages from DPR Korea and Pakistan. The WPC members from other regions attended the meeting as invited guests and contributed to the discussion.
The World Peace Council organized on 3rd December in Dhaka an international Seminar on the just struggle of the Palestinian People, few days after the International Day of solidarity with the people of Palestine (29th November). At the seminar which was attended by dozens of participants from Bangladesh along with the WPC guests, many leaders of the BPC spoke and saluted the event which was chaired by the President of BPC Mozzafar Hussein Paltu. Special interventions were made by Dr.
On the occasion of the centenary birthday of the father of the Bangladesh Nation Bangabundhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the 50th anniversary of the independence of Bangladesh an international peace conference was organized on 4-5 December by the Foreign Ministry in which dozens of international personalities, scientists and friends of Bangladesh participated. Amongst them a twelve (12) member delegation of the World Peace Council headed by its Executive Secretary Iraklis Tsavdaridis.
