Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats
www.cald.org

The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) is not only the sole regional organization of Asian liberals and democrats, but also the umbrella organization of political parties in East, South East and South Asia. CALD’s formation was in response to the wave of political change experienced in the region, which necessitated a common understanding of the basic principles of liberal democracy and an Asian agenda, which include appropriate responses to problems and crises of common concern. CALD’s founding members include the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan, the Liberal Party of the Philippines, the People’s Movement Party of Malaysia, the Democratic Party of Korea and the Buddhist Liberal Democratic Party of Cambodia. Since then, CALD has grown to be a dynamic, well-respected and relevant organization in Asia, championing the causes of democracy and building stronger relationships with liberal organizations around the world.

Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan
www.dpp.org.tw

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was founded on September 28, 1986. Defying martial law and the one-party authoritarian order led by the Kuomintang (KMT), the DPP initiated a new era of rapid democratic change.  Founded mainly by family members and defense lawyers of political prisoners, DPP initially consisted of dissidents who were willing to risk their freedom and their lives to transform the political situation.

Since its founding, the DPP has been at the forefront of movements demanding social and political justice. Socially, the DPP championed social welfare policies involving the rights of women, senior citizens, children, labor, indigenous peoples, farmers, and other disadvantaged sectors of the society. Politically, the DPP has led and won the battles for free speech, free press, the freedom of association, and respect for human rights. Furthermore, the DPP has also successfully pushed forth major constitutional reforms, including the abolition of martial law in 1987, the 1992 parliamentary general elections, and the direct election of the president in 1996.

Over the years, the DPP has garnered strength through each election and political movement toward more democracy and freedom. It has grown from a party of political dissenters and exiles into the largest opposition party in Taiwan until recently given DPP’s standard bearer Chen Shui-bian victory in the March 18 presidential elections thus ending KMT’s 50 year monopoly of power.

DPP’s platform includes a legal and political order based on freedom and democracy; balanced economic and financial administration; fair and open social welfare; educational and cultural reform; and peaceful and independent defense and foreign policies.

Friedrich Naumann Stiftung
www.fnst.de

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation is the foundation for ideas on liberty and training in freedom. It wants to contribute to the furtherance of the principle of freedom in human dignity in all sectors of society in the united Germany as well as together with partners abroad. The Foundation – committed to liberal ideals of Friedrich Naumann – pursues a great goal: the worldwide recognition of the principles of freedom means fighting for a world of human rights based on a free market economy. The two pillars that carry the Foundation’s aim of spreading liberal ideas across the world are civic education and international dialogue.

Liberal International
www.liberal-international.org

Liberal International is the world federation of liberal political parties. Founded in 1947 it has become the pre-eminent network for liberal parties and for the strengthening of liberal democracy around the world. There are a number of common principles which unite all liberal parties from Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe; human rights, free and fair elections and multiparty democracy, social justice, tolerance, social market economy, free trade, environmental sustainability and a strong sense of international solidarity.

Taiwan Foundation for Democracy
www.tfd.org.tw

The Foundation was established with an inter-related, two-tracked mission in mind. Domestically, the TFD strives to play a positive role in consolidating Taiwan’s democracy and fortifying its commitment to human rights; internationally, the Foundation hopes to become a strong link in the world’s democracy network, joining forces with related organizations around the world. Through the years, Taiwan has received valuable long-term assistance and stalwart support from the international community, and it is now time to repay that community for all of its efforts.

CALD Member Parties

Democrat Party of Thailand
www.democrat.or.th

The Democrat Party has the longest history of all political parties in Thailand. The Party was a major opposition party in the years after its 1946 founding, playing a key role in building a democratic consciousness in the 40s and 50s. Thailand plunged into dictatorship from 1958-68, and repeatedly thereafter, in the interim between dictatorships, the Democrat Party was often the major opposition, and sometimes the ruling party. Throughout the 1980s, the Democrat Party grew stronger in tandem with Thai democracy. When Thailand’s most recent military coup occurred in 1992, the Democrat Party was a crucial part of the “People Power” movement. The Democrat Party has built a long-standing record of commitment to democracy.

Liberal Party of the Philippines
www.liberalparty.ph

Since 1946 when it was founded until the advent of martial law in 1972, the Liberal Party (LP) was one of the Philippines’ two major parties, holding power for much of the crucial post-WW II economic reconstruction. Under the Marcos dictatorship, the two-party system was replaced by the ruling KBL. After the assassination of LP Secretary General Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr.  in 1983, the LP started to rally the opposition behind his widow, Corazon Aquino, ushering in the current era of democracy.

Right after the 1986 EDSA Revolution, the liberal party under Senate President Jovito Salonga was able to consolidate in the post-Marcos era. The party, particularly its stalwart in the senate, was crucial in the abrogation in 1991 of the RP-US Military Bases agreement that marked the closure of the biggest military installations outside the US thus ending more than four centuries of foreign military presence in the country. This underscored the party’s commitment to freedom, sovereignty and lasting peace. The party also played a significant role in People Power II that toppled the corrupt regime of Joseph Estrada.

Liberal Party of Sri Lanka
www.liberalparty-srilanka.org

The Liberal Party was founded in 1987 by a movement of young academics, intellectuals, and professionals who deplored the absence of a political party committed to liberalism.  Although only officially recognized in 1988, and directed by a National Committee with an average of less than 30, the Party was able to garner 2.6% of the vote in the 1988 Provincial Council elections, gaining two seats. The Liberal Party has grown in influence ever since, gaining a parliamentary seat in 1994. In the presidential election of 1994, the Liberal party supported and drafted the manifesto of Hon. Gamini Dissanyake, who was the leader of the opposition and was assassinated during the campaign.

National Council of the Union of Burma
www.ncub.org

The National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB) is the broadest-based umbrella organization of the pro-democracy Burman and non-Burman ethnic nationalities. It was formed in August 1992 and is composed of four main opposition groups The National Democratic Front (NDF), the Democratic Alliance Of Burma (DAB), the National League for Democracy — Liberated Area (NLD — LA) and the Members of Parliament Union (MPU).

The NDF was formed in 10 May 1976. It is made up exclusively of non-Burman ethnic armed opposition groups.

The DAB was formed in November 1988. It comprises both Burman and non-Burman ethnic groups.

The NLD-LA was formed in February 1991. It is composed of members of the National League for Democracy who have been forced to flee the country and operate outside of Burma. 

The MPU was formed in May 1996 and comprises members of elected representatives from the 1990 general elections

The NCUB was formed out of the need for a comprehensive political alliance among these opposition groups, to seek ways for compromises over political differences, draw up strategies to overcome the military dictatorship and formulate policies for the movement and the future of Burma.

Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia
www.gerakan.org.my

Since its founding in 1968, the Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (PGRM) has seen growth and strength despite external constraints and internal problems.  Through sincere leadership, pragmatic strategies and non-communal approaches, PGRM obtained mass support to strive for an egalitarian united Malaysia characterized by racial harmony, social justice, economic equality, political democracy and cultural liberalism. PGRM’s receptivity to people’s criticisms and advices and its sensitivity to their needs and aspirations are two major factors that contribute in making PGRM a dynamic and resilient political force in Malaysia.

PGRM had drawn its main support from members of the dissolved United Democratic Party and the English-educated moderates of the Labour Party.  Attempts were also made to establish close rapport with trade unionists whose cosmopolitan postures were considered as essential in the crystallization of a truly multi-ethnic political party.

With the rapidly changing political environment, the party had gradually come to grasp the realities of the day. First, political confrontation was not tolerated but was deemed detrimental to national unity. Secondly, cooperation with the federal government was deemed necessary to obtain financial assistance for many economic projects. Thirdly, cooperation endured stability and the early revival of parliamentary democracy.

Sam Rainsy Party of Cambodia
www.samrainsyparty.org

Cambodia’s main opposition party is a party with a vision and commitment dedicated towards genuine reform. The Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) is fully committed to building roads for a peaceful transition towards a liberalized democracy in the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Since the last centuries to the present times, Cambodia is still bound in feudalistic traits that favor a select few even at the anguish of the Cambodian people. To this day, the present regime continues to rely on guns and bullets to administer the country. History has proven time and again that the old order cannot coexist with a clearly increasing trend towards the new order of liberalized democracy.

With the unwavering determination to peacefully promote a genuine democratic order in Cambodia, The Khmer National Party was formed in 1995 under the leadership of Sam Rainsy. But under a regime where the rule of law is routinely ignored or violated, the Khmer National Party was forced in early 1998 to change its name to the present Sam Rainsy Party so that it could be ready for the elections of that year. Despite perpetual threat and intimidation, SRP’s campaign for a new order had been so effective that the ruling party that controlled the entire election process was forced to concede a minimum of 15 out of the 122 seats in the National Assembly to a party that was less than three years old. It would have conceded less or even nothing had the ruling party gotten its own way.

SRP seeks primarily to propagate hope. Hope nurtures a sense of wholeness that includes moral integrity, empowers the poor to improve their livelihood, promotes a peaceful coexistence and affirms the dignity and worth of all people. It can, of course, be achieved with an adherence to the rule of just law, respect for human rights and democratic processes, tight control over corruption, non-partisan bureaucracy, social justice, land reform and better management of all national resources.     

Singapore Democratic Party

www.singaporedemocrat.org

The SDP was founded on August 1980 with a membership of 200.

The members of the Singapore Democratic Party have pledged to bear true faith and allegiance to the Republic of Singapore, and to protect and defend the nation’s interests, in pursuit of democracy, justice and equal opportunity for all Singaporeans.

The Singapore Democratic Party has as its objectives to eliminate all forms of authoritarianism, and to uphold democratic principles and institutionalize democratic practices. The party also hopes to foster a vibrant and dynamic society based on pluralism and diversity, to replace elitism with free competition and equal opportunity for all Singaporeans especially in the area of education, to remove all policies that discriminate against the less fortunate, women and minorities, and to do away with excessive regulation that stifles innovation, creativity and adventurism.

CALD Individual Members

Martin Lee, Hong Kong Democratic Party
www.martinlee.org.hk

Martin C.M. Lee (Lee Chu Ming) is the founding Chairman (1994 - 2002) of the Democratic Party, Hong Kong's largest and most popular political party.   Prior to the founding of the Democratic Party in October 1994, Mr. Lee was Chairman of the United Democrats of Hong Kong - Hong Kong's first political party - which won the first-ever democratic elections to the territory's Legislative Council in 1991.   Since then, the Democratic Party has won every set of elections held in Hong Kong and has received wide public support for its stance that Hong Kong must develop democratic institutions and preserve freedom, human rights and the rule of law if the territory is to continue to prosper as part of China.

CALD Observer Members & Organizations

Democratic Party of Japan
www.dpj.or.jp/english

The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) was created in 1998, when reform-minded politicians from a number of opposition parties came together with the aim of establishing a genuine opposition force capable of taking power from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Former Prime Minister Tsutomu Hata, Yukio Hatoyama and Naoto Kan, who were both later to become party President and current President Katsuya Okada were amongst those instrumental in establishing the new party. Since then, the DPJ has grown in size with each successive election, and the party was further strengthened by a merger with the Liberal Party, led by Ichiro Ozawa, in 2003. It is now the largest opposition party in Japan, with a total of 178 seats in the House of Representatives and 84 in the House of Councilors.

Indonesian Democratic Party for Struggle (PDIP) 

Liberal Forum Pakistan
www.liberalforumpakistan.org

Liberal Forum Pakistan is a dynamic force of the political scene with new ideas. The LFP is based on the liberal principles of freedom or responsibility, peace and tolerance, competition and equal opportunities. LFP is an independent and indigenous non-party organization, which will raise awareness, train and empower citizen-oriented politicians and influence political decision making process.

The members and activists of Liberal Forum Pakistan are committed citizens of all sectors of the society. The voluntarily working activists of LFP represent whole diversity of the Pakistan society.

National Awakening Party (PKB)

The Uri Party
www.eparty.or.kr

The foundation of the Uri Party was the fruition of a popular aspiration for a different kind of politics, a political renaissance; for Korea must be reborn politically, economically, socially, and culturally, before it can advance into the future. Korea will seek both material and cultural prosperity, and the Uri Party will lead the way with the people of Korea.

The Uri Party is the true heir to the legacy of the fight for Korea's independence, the sacrifice to fight aggression, as well as struggles for democracy, the spirit of the April 19th and the June 10th Revolutions. The Uri Party now focuses all hopes for a new kind of politics, and leads the nation's political revival.

The Uri Party stands for clean politics. It also stands for a country where ordinary people can prosper, where everyone can live in harmony, and above all, peaceful unification of a divided nation.

Young Liberals and Democrats of Asia
www.yldasia.org

The Young Liberals and Democrats of Asia, more commonly known as YLDA, is the federation of liberal youth organizations and individuals in the Asian continent.

YLDA’s membership is as diverse and dynamic as Asia itself, composed of youth wings or sectors of Asian liberal and democratic political parties, Asian youth organizations that adhere to liberal and democratic values, and individuals that freely commit to the goals and objectives on which the federation was founded. YLDA is a fairly young organization, and was established in Manila, Philippines during the 1st CALD Young Leader’s Workshop in 2002. The organization was formally founded a year later in Phnom Penh, Cambodia when the YLDA Constitution was adopted and the first Executive Committee was elected.

Since 2002, YLDA has been instrumental in bringing together young liberals from the four corners of Asia to strengthen liberalism and democracy in the region. YLDA organizes activities on a wide range of themes in order to stimulate debate as well as to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas among our members.

Other Participating Asian Political Parties

Pakistan Peoples Party
www.ppp.org.pk

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was launched at its founding convention held in Lahore on November 30 - December 01, 1967. At the same meeting, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was elected as its Chairman. Among the express goals for which the Party was formed were the establishment of an egalitarian democracy and the application of socialistic ideas to realize economic and social justice. A more immediate task was to struggle against the hated military dictatorship at the height of its power when the PPP was formed.

The Party also promised the elimination of feudalism in accordance with the established principles of socialism to protect and advance the interests of peasantry.