The Choice Is Between Moving Towards Democratisation Or Falling Back Into Abyss Of Narrow Nationalism: Friday Forum
August 1, 2015
The Friday Forum has today called upon all political parties to declare their stance on at least the ‘National reconciliation and integration’, ‘Economic crisis and development’ and ‘Foreign policy’.
“We are once again being called to make crucial decisions between moving towards substantial democratisation or falling back into the abyss of narrow nationalism and authoritarianism, this time through the establishment of a new Government.” the Friday Forum said in a statement.
We publish below the statement in full;
Parliamentary Election—Challenging Divisive Politics with an Alternative People’s Narrative
Bishop Duleep de Chickera
The country is about to face another decisive Parliamentary election shaping our political future. The Friday Forum wishes to place some crucial concerns before the voters.
There is much confusion among the public about what is at stake with the Parliamentary election. Is it the danger of a return of terror and war, or is it the return of attacks on democracy, deterioration of the rule of law, authoritarianism and governance that is not accountable to the people? Indeed, the election campaigns have already begun with accusations and counter accusations. The polarising rhetoric in recent weeks is worrying, as it points to the possibility of an election campaign with incitement once again of racial and religious hatred and violence. The damage done during such virulent election campaigns may trouble the country for years, as we all know from our tragic political history.
Despite the end of a brutal armed conflict over six years ago, it was only with the recent Presidential election that serious attempts were made to restore democratic institutions and values leading to a democratic ethos. We are once again being called to make crucial decisions between moving towards substantial democratisation or falling back into the abyss of narrow nationalism and authoritarianism, this time through the establishment of a new Government. The controversies and bargaining that took place recently over necessary amendments to the Constitution demonstrate once again that many politicians are motivated by self-interest rather than the public interest. Therefore, it is when voters are informed, vigilant and far thinking that a people stand the best chance of electing a government most inclined to uphold the sovereignty of the people and serve them through justice, equal rights, freedom and integration.
The Parliamentary election campaigns are already centring on personalities and comparisons in performance, and drowning the real social, economic and political challenges that face us as a people. We call upon all political parties to declare their stance on at least the following crises that have remained unaddressed for decades.
