The Young Communist League – Ligue de la jeunesse communiste denounces in the strongest terms the ban on Communist Youth Organisations in Syria. Our entire membership stands in solidarity with our sister organisations in Syria. 

On January 29, the ruling islamofascists in Syria suspended the constitution and outlawed  several political parties and organisations including the two communist parties and their affiliated youth organisations, the Union of Democratic Youth Syria-Khalid Baghdash and Syrian Democratic Youth Union. Both organisations are active members of the World Federation of Democratic Youth and have been conduits for the young people of Syria in the patriotic defence against the Imperialist intervention and in the struggle against the previous Ba’ath government. 

The ban was enacted by the jihadist military groups, who were once labelled terrorists by the Canadian state before taking Damascus and coming to power in December. 

The Communist Youth Organisations were banned because they were staunch fighters against sectarianism, reaction, and capitulation to the interests of monopoly capitalism – that is imperialism. The new rulers of Syria have already demonstrated their submission to the dictates of globalised capitalism through their promises to Israel and NATO member Turkey, and the guarantees made to implement ‘market liberalisation’. The move to outlaw the young communists shows the world the true class nature of the former Al-Qaeda affiliates now calling the shots in Syria. 

This dangerous attack on democratic rights must be condemned in the strongest terms. Solidarity efforts among the youth and students in Canada must be organised. Surely, this is only the first step before future attacks on the working class and oppressed masses in Syria. 

As the opening line of Martin Niemöller’s cautionary poem goes, “First they came for the Communists and I did not speak out. Because I was not a Communist.”

The YCL-LJC stands in solidarity with our comrades, just like we did when the Canadian state dropped sanctions and bombs on the people of Syria. We call on all peace-loving organisations of youth and students in Canada to condemn this dangerous attack on youth in Syria. 

Long live proletarian internationalism!