More than 300 legislators from 70 countries gathered and expressed solidarity with the World Anti-Fascist Parliamentary Forum, launched in Caracas, Venezuela, on November 4-5. The National Assembly of Venezuela organized and led the event.

Among those who attended the forum were representatives and legislators from Algeria, Mexico, Belize, the Netherlands, Barbados, Bolivia, Ecuador, Panama, Colombia, Cuba, China, Russia, Iran, Palestine, and other countries from Africa, Latin America, and Europe. The Philippine’s ACT Teachers Party-list Representative France Castro also attended.

The forum’s declared primary objective is to foster a broad global discourse on defending the sovereignty of nations and building a more just and equitable world. Delegates formulated concrete plans to address current global challenges and defend the principles of democracy and human rights.

Discussion topics included parliamentary democracy for peace; the relationship between imperialism, fascism, and Zionism; the blockade imposed on many countries; the defense of human rights; and other related topics.

Rep. Castro’s speech at the forum shared the Philippine experience of state fascism. She has been a target of various forms of fascist repression since she was an organizer for the Alliance of Concerned Teachers and until now as ACT Teachers Party-list representative in Congress.

A Tagum City court unjustly convicted Castro and 14 others in July 2024 on charges of endangering minors. This was related to their rescue of teachers and 14 students in Sitio Dulyan, Barangay Palma Gil, Talaingod, Davao del Norte, who were caught amid the militarization and harassment of their community. Human rights groups have long criticized the conviction as fabricated and a deliberate act of repression against her advocacy.

The legislators’ forum is linked to the launch of the Global Congress Against Fascism, Neofascism, and Similar Expressions by the Venezuelan people and government in September. At least 1,200 delegates, including 500 international delegates, from 95 countries participated in the congress. A National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) delegate also attended.