by Her Excellency Ismara Mercedes Vargas Walter, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to the United Kingdom
Latest editorial
From Germany May 2 1933 to Odessa May 2 2014
There are parallels between these two pitch-black episodes of European history which should never be forgotten — and they should make those who wish to send yet more weapons to Ukraine think twice, writes KEITH BARLOW
MASSACRE: The Trade Unions House of Odessa, Ukraine, during the clashes on May 2, 2014
DR STEPHEN WILKINSON assesses the life and legacy of a revolutionary giant
On the centenary of Fidel Castro’s birth, Communist Party international secretary KEVAN NELSON salutes the ongoing example of a revolutionary people facing a brutal US siege
ALEX GORDON and LORRAINE DOUGLAS report from Havana, Cuba, where they represented the Communist Party of Britain at the 24th International Meeting of Communist and Workers’ Parties on August 7-8
The best tribute to Fidel is to stand with the Cuban Revolution today as the Trump regime tries to starve it to death, argues Cuba Solidarity Campaign communications manager NATASHA HICKMAN
JOE DWYER of Sinn Fein reflects on the links between the Irish and Cuban struggles for independence and on Castro’s personal engagement with the cause of Irish freedom
ON May 2 1933, exactly 91 years ago today, Hitler ordered the suppression of German trade unions and banned the German General Trade Union Federation, their central body.
He did so under the terms of the Reichstag Fire Decree passed immediately after the Reichstag fire on February 27 1933. The decree marked a key moment in the Nazi ascent to power and the suppression of any remaining opposition. Over the summer of 1933, labour leaders, especially members of the Communist and Social Democrat parties, were being rounded up for despatch to Dachau, the first concentration camp.
It is a date that we should remember today here in Britain as the legal assault on trade union freedoms becomes ever heavier. It is also a date that we should remember for another reason.
Exactly 10 years ago, on May 2 2014 — and exactly 81 years later, there was another attack on trade unionists. This was at the Trade Union Centre in Odessa.
Following the Nato-backed putsch against the elected Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych in early 2014, people worldwide were shocked to learn of what happened in Odessa.
With the police standing by, fascist-backed mobs made a brutal arson attack on the trade union house: 48 trade unionists were burned to death and over 200 were injured.
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