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DECLARATION - NO BASES:
International Conference for the
Abolition of Foreign Military Bases
March 5 to 9, 2007.
Quito and Manta, Ecuador
We come together from 40 countries as grassroots activists from groups
that promote women's rights, indigenous sovereignty, environmental
justice, human rights, and social justice. We come from social movements,
peace movements, faith-based organizations, youth organizations, trade
unions, and indigenous communities. We come from local, national, and
international formations.
United by our struggle for justice, peace, self-determination of peoples
and ecological sustainability, we have founded a network animated by the
principles of solidarity, equality, openness, and respect for diversity.
Foreign military bases and all other infrastructure used for wars of
aggression violate human rights; oppress all people, particularly
indigenous peoples, African descendants, women and children; and destroy
communities and the environment. They exact immeasurable consequences on
the spiritual and psychological wellbeing of humankind. They are
instruments of war that entrench militarization, colonialism, imperial
policy, patriarchy, and racism. The United States-led illegal invasions
and ongoing occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan were launched from and
enabled by such bases. We call for the immediate withdrawal of all
foreign troops from these lands and reject any planned attack against
Iran.
We denounce the primary responsibility of the U.S. in the proliferation of
foreign military bases, as well as the role of NATO, the European Union
and other countries that have or host foreign military bases.
We call for the total abolition of all foreign military bases and all
other infrastructure used for wars of aggression, including military
operations, maneuvers, trainings, exercises, agreements, weapons in space,
and other forms of military interventions.
We demand an end to both the construction of new bases and the
reinforcement of existing bases; an end to and cleanup of environmental
contamination; an end to legal immunity and other privileges of foreign
military personnel. We demand full and just compensation for social and
environmental damages caused by these bases.
Our first act as an international network celebrates Ecuador's commitment
to terminate the agreement that permits the U.S. military to use the base
in Manta beyond 2009. We commit to remain vigilant to ensure this
victory.
We support and stand in solidarity with those who struggle for the
abolition of all foreign military bases worldwide.
Foreign Military Bases Out Now!
Manta Si! Bases No!
Australian contingent in the march to the gates of the US base at Manta
March 9, Ecuador.
Hannah Middleton addresses delegates at the University of Manta before the
combined march of local and international activists march on the US bases
at Manta, Ecuador March 9
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