”Our visions of society and our struggles have become irreconcilable.” It is with these words that the Young Engaged announced to Free their withdrawal from the National Coordination of Action for Peace and Democracy (CNAPD), last Friday. This departure comes following the demonstration for peace in Ukraine organized by the coalition on February 26, which generated deep unease within pacifist organizations. Indeed, if the action was intended to be apolitical and promoted a peaceful resolution of the conflict via diplomatic channels, certain pro-Russian and anti-NATO groups infiltrated the procession, clearly calling for the support of Vladimir Putin.
Internally, this controversy has caused quite a stir. In addition to the withdrawal of the Involved Generation, the other member organizations – including the young ecologists (Écolo J) and socialists (Mouvement des Jeunes Socialistes), the non-profit association Etopia (linked to Écolo) or the FGTB and the CSC – have long debated with the CNAPD and called on it to clarify its position. This culminated in a statement issued on Monday, in which the two coalition presidents condemned the slogans “in flagrant contradiction” with the watchword of the demonstration and ensure “take all necessary measures” to avoid these types of messages in the future. They also say they regret that the call to demonstrate has been interpreted as a “lack of solidarity with the Ukrainian people” or as a “attempt to put back to back the aggressor and the attacked”.
War in Ukraine: two demonstrations in Brussels this weekend, for two visions of the conflict
None of the members mentioned above is considering removing the dome. “We cannot condemn a movement that sincerely tries to organize a demonstration for peace simply because it has allowed itself to be infiltrated.believes the president of the FGTB, Thierry Bodson, who spoke publicly during the demonstration on February 26. Confidence in the CNAPD must remain.”
Caution is advised
This does not prevent some members from remaining cautious. “We remain vigilantinsists Patrick Dupriez, former co-president of Ecolo and current president of Etopia, who had not signed the call to demonstrate. The CNAPD press release is a first step, but the work must continue. The CNAPD is the historical tool of pacifism in Belgium. We don’t want to let it drift.”
Etopia therefore insists that the CNAPD quickly engage in dialogue with associations of Ukrainian refugees in Belgium, but also with civil society in Ukraine and its neighboring countries. Etopia also calls for the exclusion of “organizations complacent” with the current Russian regime, which do not respect the “democratic fundamentals” of the CNAPD. In Etopia’s sights, in particular, the NATO Surveillance Committee, whose members marched on February 26 with pro-Putin slogans.
Young socialists also call for the exclusion of certain groups: “There is no room for conspiracy and Russian propaganda within our ranks.” A track that the FGTB also supports: “It has to be the disgusting who leave and the disgusting who stay.” tranche Thierry Bodson.
