International

UNISON is proud of its tradition of international solidarity and RCT branch has a history of taking international issues particularly seriously. At present we are lending our support to three campaigns in particular:

The Creation of an Independent Palestinian State

UNISON is among a growing number of unions affiliated to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC). The PSC is building a broad-based movement of solidarity with the Palestinians.  PSC works closely with the trade union movement to further the Palestinian cause and raise awareness of the plight of Palestinian workers. PSC also works closely with the Palestinian trade union movement and encourages twinning, delegations to the occupied territories and practical links that express
solidarity.

UNISON has clear policy on Palestine and the Middle East peace process as set out in several National Delegate Conference (NDC) motions over the past few years. UNISON supports both an independent Palestinian state and the right of a secure Israel to exist. However, UNISON believes that this can only happen if Israel withdraws from the Occupied Territories to its 1967 borders. The Palestinian people are suffering greatly from the occupation. UNISON has, therefore, a long history of solidarity with and support for the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU), including capacity building projects supported by the Unison International Development Fund.

However, a lasting and just peace will only be achieved if it is negotiated and agreed by both the Palestinians and Israelis. UNISON believes that trade unions in both Palestine and Israel have an important role to play in this process. That is why, following a UNISON delegation to Palestine and Israel in November 2005, UNISON decided to work with both the PGFTU and the Israeli trade unions (Histadrut) to promote civil society dialogue and the peace process.
 

The Release of the Miami Five 

The Miami Five (aka The Cuban Five) are Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labañino, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando González and René González. They were sent to the U.S. by Cuba to monitor the actions of the right-wing terror groups Commandos F4 and Brothers to the Rescue. These groups have waged a systematic campaign of bombings and sabotage against Cuba during the past 40 years. To date more than 3000 people have died.

When Cuban authorities informed the U.S. of the activities of Commandos F4 and Brothers to the Rescue, instead of arresting the terrorists, the FBI arrested the five Cubans. They were then held in solitary confinement, in a Miami jail, for 17 months.

Their seven month trial, which began in November 2000, was conducted under a witch-hunt atmosphere in Miami itself, a city notorious for its right-wing ex-pat Cuban community. Repeated requests by the defence attorneys that the trial venue be changed were denied by the judge. This despite it being obvious that a fair trial was impossible in the city.

In a blow to justice, the Cuban Five were convicted on June 8, 2001 and sentenced to four life terms and 75 years.

Along with other unions in the U.K. and throughout the world, Unison is supporting the campaign for justice for the Miami Five. If you would like to get involved then please contact the branch office.

A short documentary detailing the case of the Miami Five is available for loan from the Unison office.  The campaign to release the men has its website at www.freethefive.org

The Release of Burma's political prisoners

There are over 2100 political prisoners detained today in Burma. They have been imprisoned for nothing more than peacefully calling for democracy and freedom within their country. Once in prison, democracy activists face horrific torture. They are subject to electric shocks, rape, iron rods being rubbed on their shins until their flesh comes off, severe beatings and solitary confinement. Many prisoners are kept in their cells 24 hours a day, given inadequate food and are in poor health. However, Burma's military regime appears to be systematically denying medical treatment to the country's political prisoners.

Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has said that, “the release of political prisoners is the most important thing for all those who truly wish to bring about change in Burma”.

In 2005 Unison made Aung San Suu Kyi an honorary life member. To find out how you can show your support for Burma's political prisoners get involved in the branch's international activities and visit www.burmacampaign.org.uk