NO TO THE CONSTITUTION of a Europe of capital and war

The European Social Forum takes place during a serious crisis in the occupation of Iraq as the ‘democratic’ European Governments show their true face and join their great imperialist partner in the armed re-colonisation of Iraq, now ‘legalised’ by the UN Security Council.

The Forum also takes place at the same time as the main European Governments are engaged in a full-scale offensive against workers' rights and their conquests: attacks against pensions, unemployment benefits and public healthcare and education and wholesale sackings in the big companies and privatisations of state companies and public services are widespread.

A key element in the current offensive is the drive to impose the reactionary proposed European Constitution.


AN ANTIDEMOCRATIC CONSTITUTION

The process of elaboration of the Constitution by a convention of “notables” highlights its antidemocratic nature and, if it is approved, it will become effectively untouchable since only one member country would be able to block its modification.

The proposed Constitution also eliminates all reference to the ‘peoples’ of Europe, who would lose all hope of their right to self-determination being recognized. It goes even further, supporting all repressive measures that the states may adopt against the legitimate aspirations of the people.


A NEO-LIBERAL CONSTITUTION

The press has reflected the scandalous role of the lobbyists and pressure groups of the big companies on the European institutions. “The relationship between the world of the lobbies and that of the community institutions is almost one of osmosis, with a continuous exchange of personal between them in both directions” (El País, 12/10/03)

Especially serious is that the Constitution approves, by omission, the General Agreement for Trade of Services, proposed by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and accepted with enthusiasm by the EU. This agreement seeks to ensure that no member state can resist the privatisation of its public services.

On the other hand, there is no guaranteed minimum of social rights. The so-called Chart of Fundamental Rights is a joke. It constitutes a harmonisation downwards of the rights that are currently recognized, rights that are extremely precarious or nonexistent in many of the countries in the East. The “right to a job” has been substituted by the “right to work.”


A XENOPHOBIC CONSTITUTION AND AGAINST THE RIGHTS OF THE WOMEN

The proposed Constitution defines a xenophobic Europe, transformed into a fortress against immigration that it itself has caused by the destruction of the economies and social structures of the countries it dominates. It creates European citizens of first and of second class by opening the door to the establishment of an inferior category to that of the full citizenship for "non community residents of long duration."

The Constitution does not recognize the rights of women, in particular the right to contraception and abortion, or give full rights for couples.


AN IMPERIALIST CONSTITUTION

The Constitution consecrates a Europe that endorses the new military doctrine of “preventive attacks” of Solana, legitimises the military occupation of Iraq and supports the monopoly of the weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the imperialist powers and of their nearest ally - Israel. An imperialist Europe that, at the same time, “will respect the obligations derived from its membership of NATO” and will allow France and Germany to develop a combined force, “in the framework of the Union.”

ORGANIZE A FRONT OF 'NO TO THE CONSTITUTION'

To organise a Front of NO has become a task of high-priority for the anti-globalization movement and all the European anti-capitalist forces, in particular with the prospect of referendums to be held in each state next year. These consultations offer a magnificent opportunity to call on youth, workers and oppressed nationalities to show a massive rejection to this reactionary Europe.