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The Need for Belgium’s Pirate Party: Protecting Freedoms

The Importance of the Pirate Party

In today’s world, the internet and its freedoms are increasingly threatened. Governments around the world are limiting access to information and stifling free speech. Belgium is no exception. As these threats grow, the need for a political party that will fight to protect individual liberties becomes more pressing. This is where the Pirate Party comes in. In Belgium, the Pirate Party is dedicated to defending privacy rights, promoting freedom of speech, and ensuring transparency in government.

A Brief History of the Pirate Party in Belgium

The Belgian Pirate Party was founded in 2009, drawing inspiration from the Swedish Pirate Party that emerged in 2006. The party is a member of the Pirate Party International, a global movement that advocates for internet freedom, digital civil rights, and government transparency. Since its inception, the party has been at the forefront of the fight for individual liberties in Belgium.

The Threat to Freedoms in Belgium: Why We Need the Pirate Party

In recent years, Belgium has seen an erosion of individual liberties. The government has been cracking down on free speech and limiting access to information. The Pirate Party is needed to counteract these threats and protect individual liberties. By ensuring transparency in government, promoting privacy rights, and defending freedom of speech, the Pirate Party is working to safeguard the rights of all citizens.

Protecting Freedom of Speech: A Core Tenet of the Pirate Party

The Pirate Party believes in the fundamental right to freedom of speech. This right is essential for democracy and must be protected at all costs. The party is committed to challenging censorship and ensuring that all voices are heard. By promoting free speech, the Pirate Party aims to create a society where citizens are free to express themselves without fear of retribution.

Privacy Rights and the Pirate Party

The Pirate Party is dedicated to protecting privacy rights. The party believes that citizens should have the right to control their personal information and data. With the increasing amount of data collected by governments and corporations, the Pirate Party aims to ensure that privacy is protected. The party advocates for strong privacy laws and works to raise awareness about the importance of privacy rights.

Intellectual Property and Copyright: The Pirate Party’s Stance

The Pirate Party is opposed to strict intellectual property laws and supports more flexible copyright laws. The party believes that current copyright laws are overly restrictive and harm creativity and innovation. The Pirate Party supports a model that allows for free sharing of ideas and information while still ensuring that creators are compensated for their work.

The Need for Transparency in Government: An Ideal of the Pirate Party

The Pirate Party believes in transparency in government. The party aims to increase access to information and promote open government. By ensuring that citizens have access to information, the Pirate Party believes that it will be possible to hold government officials accountable for their actions. Through transparency, the party hopes to create a more just and equitable society.

Giving a Voice to the People: The Pirate Party’s Democratic Values

The Pirate Party is committed to democracy and believes that citizens should have a say in how their government operates. The party supports direct democracy and is committed to ensuring that citizens are able to participate in the decision-making process. By giving a voice to the people, the Pirate Party aims to create a more democratic and participatory society.

The Pirate Party’s Position on Net Neutrality

The Pirate Party supports net neutrality. The party believes that all internet traffic should be treated equally, without discrimination or censorship. The party is committed to fighting against internet service providers that attempt to control or limit access to certain content. The Pirate Party believes that a free and open internet is essential for democracy and innovation.

The Role of the Pirate Party in the Global Fight for Internet Freedom

The Pirate Party is part of a global movement dedicated to internet freedom. The party is committed to working with other groups and individuals around the world to create a more just and equitable society. By collaborating with others, the Pirate Party hopes to create a world where individual liberties are protected and democracy is upheld.

Collaboration with Other Parties: The Pirate Party’s Approach

The Pirate Party is open to collaboration with other political parties. The party believes that by working together, it will be possible to create a more just and equitable society. The Pirate Party is committed to finding common ground with other parties while still remaining true to its core values.

The Importance of Supporting the Pirate Party in Belgium

The Pirate Party is an essential force in the fight for individual liberties in Belgium. By promoting transparency in government, defending privacy rights, and advocating for freedom of speech, the Pirate Party is working to create a more just and equitable society. With the increasing threats to individual liberties, the need for the Pirate Party has never been greater. By supporting the party, citizens can help to ensure that their rights are protected and that democracy remains strong.

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Belgium Pirate Party: Poised for Political Resurrection?

The Rise and Fall of the Belgium Pirate Party

The Belgium Pirate Party, like its counterparts in other European countries, was founded on the principles of internet freedom, copyright reform, and digital privacy. Its early success in the 2012 municipal elections in Ghent and Brussels raised hopes that it would become a major political force in the country. However, internal conflicts, leadership changes, and shifting political winds led to its decline in subsequent years. Nevertheless, the party is showing signs of a revival as it prepares for the upcoming local and regional elections.

The Belgian Political System: An Overview

Belgium is a federal parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch as head of state. The federal government consists of a prime minister and several ministers who are responsible to the parliament. The parliament is composed of two chambers: the Chamber of Representatives and the Senate. The Chamber of Representatives has 150 members who are elected for a term of five years through proportional representation. The Senate has 60 members who are appointed by the regional parliaments and co-opted by the other senators.

The Pirate Party’s Platform and Agenda

The Pirate Party’s platform is based on the principles of copyright reform, digital privacy, and internet freedom. It advocates for the abolition of intellectual property laws, the protection of whistleblowers, and the promotion of open access to information. It also supports the establishment of a basic income for all citizens, the legalization of drugs, and the recognition of non-traditional forms of relationships.

The Party’s Early Successes and Challenges

The Pirate Party’s early successes in the 2012 municipal elections in Ghent and Brussels were due to its grassroots campaign and its appeal to young, tech-savvy voters. However, the party faced several challenges, including internal divisions over strategy and leadership, a lack of financial resources, and a hostile media environment. It also struggled to gain a foothold in the national elections due to the dominance of mainstream parties.

The Decline of the Pirate Party in Belgium

The decline of the Pirate Party in Belgium was marked by a series of setbacks, including the resignation of its first leader, the loss of its seats in the municipal councils, and the departure of some of its prominent members. The party also suffered from a lack of visibility and relevance in the national political arena, which was dominated by debates over immigration, security, and economic policy.

The Revival of the Pirate Party: Signs of New Life

Despite its setbacks, the Pirate Party is showing signs of a revival in recent years. It has established new branches in several cities, including Antwerp, Leuven, and Liège, and has rebranded itself as the “Pirate Party Belgium”. It has also allied itself with other progressive, grassroots movements, such as the climate justice movement and the anti-austerity movement.

The Party’s Current Leadership and Strategy

y. The party’s strategy is to build a broad-based coalition of progressive forces, including trade unions, student organizations, and civil society groups, and to focus on issues that resonate with young voters, such as climate change, inequality, and digital rights.

The Party’s Prospects in the Upcoming Elections

The Pirate Party is running candidates in the local and regional elections in 2021, with a focus on the cities of Antwerp, Ghent, and Brussels. Its goal is to win at least one seat in each of these cities and to establish a presence in the regional parliaments. However, it faces strong competition from established parties and the challenge of mobilizing a diverse and fragmented electorate.

The Party’s Relationship with Other European Pirate Parties

The Pirate Party Belgium is part of a wider network of European Pirate Parties that share its vision of a free and open society. It cooperates with other parties on issues of common interest, such as copyright reform, data protection, and digital democracy. It also participates in the Pirate Parties International organization, which coordinates the activities of Pirate Parties around the world.

The Party’s Stance on Key Issues: Copyright, Privacy, and Freedom of Information

The Pirate Party’s stance on copyright, privacy, and freedom of information is at the core of its political agenda. It advocates for the abolition of copyright and patent laws, the protection of personal data, and the promotion of open access to information. It also opposes censorship, surveillance, and any form of government control over the internet.

The Party’s Critics and Supporters: A Review of Perspectives

The Pirate Party has both critics and supporters, who have different views on its political program and its prospects for success. Critics argue that the party is too focused on digital rights and lacks a coherent vision on other issues, such as social justice and foreign policy. Supporters, on the other hand, see the party as a fresh and innovative force that can bring new ideas and perspectives to the political mainstream.

What the Future Holds for the Belgium Pirate Party

The future of the Pirate Party in Belgium is uncertain, but its recent revival and its participation in the upcoming elections suggest that it is not ready to give up on its political ambitions. The party’s success or failure will depend on its ability to mobilize a broad-based coalition of progressive forces, to articulate a clear and compelling vision for the future, and to overcome the many obstacles that stand in its way. Whatever happens, the Pirate Party will continue to be a voice for digital rights and internet freedom in an increasingly complex and challenging political landscape.

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Waarom iedereen recht heeft op een onvoorwaardelijk basisinkomen

dinsdag 30 maart 2021 09:55
 

Publieke welvaart wordt opgebouwd overheen generaties. En elk van ons weet, of zou de nederigheid moeten hebben om te weten, dat individueel inkomen en vermogen, in veel grotere mate afhankelijk is van de inspanningen van voorgaande generaties; veel meer dan van eender wat we zelf doen. Als je private overerving toelaat, zou je ook publieke overerving moeten toelaten – en zou iedereen recht moeten hebben op een ‘sociaal dividend’, een onvoorwaardelijk (basis)inkomen dat voorkomt uit onze collectieve rijkdom (dixit econoom Guy Standing).

Dat wist ook revolutionair Thomas Paine die in 1797 in zijn werk ‘Agrarian Justice’ een vurig pleidooi hield voor (de introductie van) een universeel basisinkomen (sommigen lezen het ook als ‘basiskapitaal’) met de geniale tagline “It is not charity but a right, not bounty but justice, that I am pleading for.” Ook liberaal denker en econoom Henry George (vooral bekend om zijn kritiek op particuliere grondeigendom) vertrekt van de veronderstelling dat de aarde gemeengoed is, en iedereen zodoende recht heeft om te delen in de rijkdom die wordt voortgebracht via een zogenaamd ‘sociaal dividend’. Eigenlijk zouden écht liberale denkers steeds kritisch moeten zijn voor (private) eigendomsrechten, die tenslotte een menselijk verzinsel zijn. ‘Particulier eigendom’ is een fictie of zoals Verlichtingsdenker Jean-Jacques Rousseau het in de 18de eeuw scherp omschreef: “De eerste man die een stuk land omheinde en zei ‘dit is van mij’, en mensen vond die naïef genoeg waren om hem te geloven, deze man was de stichter van de burgermaatschappij. […] Alle vruchten der aarde zijn van iedereen en de aarde van niemand.”  

Een universeel basisinkomen zou geen aalmoes zijn, geen liefdadigheid, maar rechtvaardigheid. We hebben er allen recht op, en we zullen het stilaan moeten beginnen eisen bij onze machthebbers.

Een veel naar voor gebrachte kritiek betreft de universaliteit van een basisinkomen, ie. dat iedere burger er recht op zou hebben – ongeacht inkomen of vermogen. Dus zowel rijk als arm ontvangt het ‘sociaal dividend’. Hier wordt steeds tegen ingebracht dat dit onrechtvaardig zou zijn omwille van het feit dat de steun niet ‘gericht’ is naar degenen die deze hulp het meest nodig hebben (mensen in relatieve armoede). Maar een basisinkomen is geen hulp, het is een (basis)recht – en de kracht zit hem net in de universaliteit ervan. Universele rechten kunnen namelijk moeilijk aangetast worden. 

Neem het recht op kinderbijslag – eigenaardig dat de tegenstanders van een basisinkomen dit niet aanvechten; sommige gezinnen hebben deze bijslag immers niet nodig. We aanvaarden echter dat iedereen deze bijdrage krijgt, en dit vergroot net de solidariteit met betrekking tot dergelijke ‘uitkeringen’. Het feit dat mijn buur kinderbijslag krijgt, wekt geen afgunst op. Kinderbijslag ontvangen is niet stigmatiserend, want het is een recht (uiteraard op voorwaarde dat je nakomelingen hebt). 

Werkloosheidsuitkeringen zijn dat wel, want onderworpen aan allerhande voorwaarden (middelentoets, gedragstoetsen, onvrijwillige oorzaken) – waardoor je bovendien een duur bureaucratisch (en vaak paternalistisch) overheidsapparaat nodig hebt om deze ‘sociale zekerheid’ in stand te houden. Zo ontstaat een middenklasse die zich (misschien soms terecht) afvraagt: “Wat heb ik hier nog aan?”, en ondergraaft men het draagvlak voor solidariteit.

Kortom: een universele uitkering, die vervolgens wordt wegbelast bij degenen die het niet nodig hebben, is vaak veel meer aanvaardbaar dan gerichte bijstand. De eerste biedt zekerheid, terwijl er voor gerichte steun nood is aan onderwerping t.o.v. vaak onvolkomen procedures en een bureaucraat met machtsfunctie die gaat bepalen waarop men al dan niet recht heeft (en dus onzekerheid teweegbrengt). Lees: ik pleit hier voor een overheid die groot is in termen van herverdeling (belastingdiensten), maar klein is in termen van betutteling (diensten voor arbeidsbemiddeling, etc.)

Naast de verwerving van juridische en politieke basisrechten (bv. algemeen enkelvoudig stemrecht) in vorige eeuwen, lijkt de (verdere) opbouw van economische basisrechten in deze eeuw onvermijdelijk voor de verdere emancipatie van de mens. Een onvoorwaardelijk basisinkomen – om ten minste te voorzien in de basisbehoeften voor levensonderhoud – zou de hoeksteen moeten vormen van een (nieuw) systeem van inkomensverdeling; één dat geschikt is voor de 21ste eeuw.

Benoît Dutordoir

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Interdiction de la reconnaissance facial dans l’espace public

“Une bonne raison d’envoyer des Pirates à l’Assemblée ? Il faut pouvoir stopper la reconnaissance biométrique faciale, avec un travail de fond qui s’appuie sur la recherche et la documentation existante. Au @PartiPirate on y est opposé.”

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Geheime diensten

Geheime diensten hebben de opdracht om onze vrije en open samenleving te verdedigen. Daarvoor mogen zij vergaande bevoegdheden inzetten. Die moeten effectief zijn, maar ook gebruikt worden binnen de kaders die de democratische rechtsstaat daarvoor stelt. De inzet van die bevoegdheden vindt in het geheim plaats en de gevolgen van die inzet kunnen erg ingrijpend zijn. Voor de veiligheid van onze digitale infrastructuur, of door de grote schaal waarmee de geheime diensten er gegevens mee verzamelen. Daarom is goed toezicht op het werk van de geheime diensten essentieel. Bits of Freedom waakt over onze internetvrijheid en privacy online. Wij houden zowel het werk van de diensten als dat van hun toezichthouders in de gaten.

Wat speelt er?

De geheime diensten willen en kunnen steeds meer en ongerichter gegevens verzamelen, verwerken en delen.

Met zogenaamde bulkbevoegdheden, zoals het sleepnet, verzamelen zij enorme bergen gegevens van miljoenen burgers per keer. Daarmee komen burgers en hun communicatie steeds vaker, gemakkelijker en dus completer in het vizier van de geheime diensten.

Anderzijds staat het toezicht op de geheime diensten onder druk. Door een gebrek aan bindende bevoegdheden is het niet mogelijk voor de toezichthouder (CTIVD) om daadwerkelijk in te grijpen als het erop aankomt. Bijvoorbeeld wanneer de geheime diensten tegen de wet in onze gegevens bewaren en gebruiken. De positie van de toetsingscommissie (Tib) die de verzoeken om ingrijpende bevoegdheden in te zetten vooraf toetst en wél bindende bevoegdheden heeft, dreigt te worden uitgehold

(Lees verder op de site Bits of Freedom)

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Joint Statement by European Pirates and Pirate Parties International on Putin’s Aggression Against Ukraine

The Pirates of Europe and the world strongly condemn the actions taken by Vladimir Putin. It’s with deep sorrow that we watch the events in Ukraine unfold, and our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine, those suffering the consequences of this conflict, and those opposing the war inside of Russia. We hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to this conflict, and for the immediate end of all hostilities in the region.

It is inherent for the Pirate movement to oppose war. Violence, and the motives behind them, are contrary to the ideals of freedom, democracy, cooperation, and the respect for human rights, which should be the foundations of any society. Thus, all peaceful and diplomatic measures to prevent a conflict need to be expended. We fear, however, that we have reached the end of such measures. Despite urgent calls from all around the world to de-escalate the situation, last night, the Putin administration decided to invade a sovereign democratic country, and break international law.

The invasion, falsely portrayed as a peacekeeping operation, is a serious threat to human rights and the stability in the region, and to the life and dignity of civilians caught in the crossfire. As of now, there are no indications that the Putin administration will stop until they’ve reached their objective of completely subjugating Ukraine, and violating its territorial integrity. As a consequence of this, Ukraine has called upon the international community for aid, and that is a call which we must heed.

We call upon the European Union and the international community to adopt the following measures and positions in regard to this conflict:

  • Affirm the right of nations to determine their own policies of national security and defence. Additionally, recognise the inalienable right of nations to their territorial integrity, in accordance with the United Nations Charter;
  • Enact further sanctions to cripple the Russian elite, and block their access to the European markets;
  • Supply Ukraine with the requisite supplies to aid in their defence and in the prevention of a humanitarian catastrophe;
  • Ensure that all parties are abiding by the principles set forth in the Geneva Conventions;
  • Aid humanitarian groups in their work with civilians, refugees, children, prisoners of war, and the wounded. Additionally, we implore all EU member states to consider aiding in the hosting of refugees;
  • Decrease the EU’s energy dependence on Russian resources, and urgently replace those energy sources with low-emission alternatives;
  • For all relevant nuclear-armed states to move forward with concrete and verifiable steps to prevent the use of nuclear weapons in this conflict.

We express our full support for the Pirate Party of Russia and its position regarding the conflict.

24.02.2022 22:13 CET