October 31, 2016

Tribute from the Japanese Revolutionary Communist League of Japan

Dear Comrades Carlos Munzer, Abu Muad, Leandro Hofstadter and all the comrades of the FLTI,

We are filled with the deepest grief together with you to hear the news that Comrade Abu Al Baraa died. We are also feeling working-class outrage together with you at the brutalities of the Al Assad government, against which the young revolutionary fought to the last, and at the barbarities of the criminals who are either supporting this regime or using it as a pretext, such as the rulers of Russia, the US and other Western imperialist states, and Turkey and other neighbouring states, all of whom are continuing aerial bombing and firing on the people of Syria.

In August this year, the 54th International Antiwar Assemblies held in Tokyo and other cities in Japan received an inspiring message of solidarity from the FLTI-CI and Leon Sedov Brigade, Trotskyists fighting in Syria. It is still fresh in our memory that Comrade Abu al Baraa sent us this message from 'bloodied Aleppo' under joint signature with Comrades Carlos Munzer and Abu Muad. The message said, 'In Syria, and in Aleppo in particular, a new intifada has started ...' On hearing this, participants in the assemblies strongly felt the resolute will for fighting of Abu al Baraa and the Syrian resistance, and of all the comrades of the FLTI, as well as their enthusiasm for revolution.

We express our deep regret at the death of Comrade Abu al Baraa. Together with you, comrades of the FLTI, we say goodbye to the young Trotskyist who was truly determined to be a revolutionary.

Back in Japan, militant workers and students are fighting resolutely against the neo-fascist Abe-led government's scheme to send a newly organized military contingent to South Sudan (which is allowed by the aggressive War Law to kill local people for 'rescuing' foreign troops). They are also combating, in the face of violent repression by the riot police, against the Japanese government, now hell-bent on constructing a new US military base in Okinawa. These struggles are fought across the country, where they hold their banner up high, which says, 'We denounce the indiscriminate air strikes on Syria by the imperialist states of the US, France and the UK, as well as by Russia!' We shall promote antiwar and other struggles here in Japan ever more powerfully in solidarity with you, the comrades of the FLTI, who are fighting for the revolutionary task, on which the young revolutionary staked his life. 

We are convinced that our tribute to him must be a more intensive fight of us to strengthen workers' and toiling people's struggles based on the working class unity, and to forge their truly revolutionary vanguard organizations.

With an internationalist hug,

Sachiko Kihara
For the JRCL-RMF