Red October

STATUTE OF RED OCTOBER

"The commitment to an organisation must be based on a statute. Only the observance of a statute can prevent us from descending into circle-work."

(W. I. Lenin, 'Works', Vol. 7, "One Step Forward - Two Steps Back", p. 397).

"The statute is the formal expression of being organised ..." (Ebenda, p. 368).

Note:

The below statute refers to the statute of the CPG/ML in the tradition we find ourselves. It incorporates the lessons of the international Marxist-Leninist movement. However, it also takes into account the state of organisational maturity of Red October.

We are not pretending to be a party by presenting this statute. On the contrary: We are not a party yet, but a nucleus. However, we are going to systematically work towards reestablishing the Communist Party.

STATUTE

OF THE ORGANISATION OF

Red October works for the construction of the Communist Party of Germany as the conscious and organised vanguard of the working class, as the most advanced form of its class organisation.

Only under the leadership of a strong communist party can the working class over-throw German imperialism in a violent revolution to establish the dictatorship of the proletariat and socialism.

Therefore Red October aspires to unite the most progressive sections of the working class in its ranks.

Red October fights for a socialist Germany. Socialism is a transitory society towards communism. Communism is a society where all differences as to class have been done away with, where the people consciously and independently see to their affairs. The triumph of communism all over the world is the goal of Red October.

Red October stands and fights in one and the same front line together with the other Marxist-Leninist parties, organisations and forces all over the world and supports the struggle of the international proletariat and that of all peoples oppressed by imperialism.

Red October aspires to create a united fighting organisation. The strength of Red October is rooted in the unity of its ranks, its will and its actions. The following communist principles are a guideline for the creation of the party: utmost centralism in the work of the organisation, strict and conscious inner discipline (not excluding but requiring open discussions, the free expression of views on the part of the members on all issues of party building), a ban on factional activities, in admission of opportunistic elements and their expulsion from the organisation of Red October, development of inner democracy, open ideological struggle, honest and open criticism and self-criticism concerning shortcomings and mistakes and a systematic check on the implementation of decisions.

Red October attaches great importance to helping all members to stand on their own feet. We do not need people blindly executing orders but comrades who take an active and conscious part in developing the policy of the organisation, who are able to think through the most important issues of class struggle, of building the party and who can act on their own. The whole work must be organised and carried out in such a way that the members' qualifications to do just that can gradually improve.

By integrating the individual member into the collective it is not intended to make him give up his individuality, but to encourage and develop his positive individual sides, traits, and talents.

On all levels of the organisation of Red October the principle is valid that the collective stands by the individual member in solidarity, that the individual member must not decide on important issues of our work independent of the collective. Mistakes and shortcomings on the part of certain comrades, of bodies of the organisation, no matter which they are, are criticised in a comradely spirit, without glossing things over and in an open manner with the aim of improving our work.

Also with regard to its social composition, Red October aims at becoming a party of the working class. To achieve this goal, Red October, in perspective, takes special care of the lower sections of the working class which are exploited and oppressed most of all. At the present stage of development it is our primary objective to organise the most progressive forces of the working class!

The organisation of Red October wants all members to take part in the class struggle; it wants all members to carry out our decisions; it wants all members to make sacrifices for the working class and its kernel; it wants all members to gradually develop their capabilities to put Marxism-Leninism into practice so that the daily problems of class struggle and party building can be solved, it wants to show to the class that there is a revolutionary way out: socialism.

Our organisation is guided by Marxism-Leninism, the scientific theory of Marx, Engels, Lenin and Stalin!

I. Membership

Member of the organisation of Red October can be anybody who accepts the declaration of foundation and the statute of Red October, who participates in the work of a cell or base and pays the stipulated membership fees regularly.

1. Each member has the following duties:

a. to steadily increase his knowledge by studying Marxism-Leninism in close connection with revolutionary practice, to acquaint himself with the decisions of the organisation and to study the writings of Red October on a regular basis;

b. to take an active part in the organisational life of Red October, to regularly attend the meetings of the cells and bases, to put the policies of Red October into practice and to always try to improve the quality of work of the organisation;

c. to regularly pay the stipulated membership fee;

d. to keep strict discipline;

e. if possible to get into close contact with the non-aligned masses, to convince them of the correctness of the policies of Red October, to always listen to the opinion of the masses und to learn from them; to do work in mass organisations and in other possible bodies if there is an opportunity to do so, in line with the stage of development, the strength und the decisions taken by Red October, in line with the interests of the working people;

f. to live and work in accordance with the communist ideology, to subordinate his personal interests to the organisation, to effectively assist and help those comrades who are in distress or who are persecuted by the class enemy and to be prepared to make sacrifices for the organisation and for the interests of the working class;

g. to be sincere and honest towards the organisation, to exercise criticism and self-criticism, to uncover shortcomings in our work and to see to it that they are overcome, to fight against self-satisfaction, window dressing and the suppression of criticism;

h. to be vigilant against all currents of revisionism and opportunism and to fight them;

i. to guard against the activities of the enemy, to bravely face the persecutions of the class enemy, to openly support the line of Red October according to ones possibilities, to abstain from making statements about the organisation, its activities and its members to the police, to the courts and to other institutions of the class enemy. Treason is a crime against Red October, against the working class and is incompatible with the membership in Red October.

2. Each member has the following rights:

a. to take part in the discussions on all policy issues of the organisation, to submit suggestions and to freely express his/her opinion;

b. to demand to receive the internal circulars (in the following regular internal edition) containing statements on problems of class struggle, party building, etc.;

c. to voice criticisms on activities of members and cadres of Red October, independent of their standing;

d. (only as a full member) to exercise the right to vote and the right to be elected at conferences and on the occasion of internal elections;

e. to be present in person if in his organisation his conduct or his activities are to be discussed or decisions are to be taken to that effect;

f. to consult the secretariat on any matter whatsoever;

3. Admission to Red October

In principle, admission to Red October is effected on an individual basis. Anyone who has attained the age of 16 and who lives in Germany can become a member of Red October, independent of his nationality.

Anyone who intends to become a member can make an application for membership with the cell which applies to him. The cell then takes a decision on his admission for which a two- thirds majority of all full members is required. In the absence of a cell, the application is directed to the secretariat which either examines the application itself or charges other full members with the examination of the application.

Admission to Red October as a full member is preceded by a period of candidature of one year in most cases. In exceptional cases this period can be reduced to up to three months or prolonged to up to two years. It is up to the full members of a cell to decide upon the admission of the candidate whereby a two-thirds majority is required. The secretariat must be informed about the admission. In the absence of a cell, it is up to the secretariat to take a decision on the admission of a full member.

The secretariat has the right to confirm or revise the admission of a candidate or the decision on full membership. The secretariat also has the right to halt admissions to make sure that the proletarian character of the party is preserved.

A former member of a different party, organisation or group with communist aspirations is admitted to the party according to the valid terms of admission. Such an application must be discussed and approved by the secretariat prior to the candidate's admission.

The period of candidature constitutes a time of probation. Its main purpose is to make the candidate better acquainted with the organisation of Red October and vice versa, before a decision on full membership is taken. Special attention is directed to the practical work of the candidate. She or he has the right to get special help and encouragement from the cell or base he or she belongs to.

During that time the candidate enjoys the same rights and has the same duties of an ordinary member, except for the right to vote, the right to be elected and the right to take votes. In exceptional cases the candidate may be charged with duties in his/her respective cell or base, provided that the full members agree to that in consonance with the secretariat.

4. Educational measures, penalties and expulsion

The membership ends

a. through resignation;

b. through expulsion.

Anyone who contravenes the unity and the principles of Red October, who fails to carry out its decisions, to respect its inner democracy, who misuses his membership and the duties he has been entrusted with, whose basic attitude damages the reputation of the organisation, who, in his private life, repeatedly and in a serious manner, does not show the attitude of a communist (in brief: anyone who fails to fulfil his membership duties and who disregards the membership terms) has to be called before the cell or base or the secretariat where he or she will be held responsible.

Depending on the gravity of the offence, penalties can be decided upon – ranging from a warning, a reprimand, a strong reprimand, the restoration of candidature, up to the expulsion from the organisation of Red October. The reprimand or the strong reprimand can be combined with the relief from a post or with a temporary ban on holding a responsible position.

Expulsion applies

a. in all cases where members no longer abide by the terms of membership;

b. in all cases of factionalism and careerism;

c. if members have proved that there basic attitude is incompatible with the aims of the organisation of Red October;

d. in all cases where members who have given in to reaction and capital in such a way that Red October has suffered severe damage through their actions.

The expulsion of members is an important means to purify the organisation. This purification from opportunistic, revisionist or other elements hostile to Red October proves necessary if the requirements of the organisation, to be able to wage a joint and successful struggle can no longer be met. The expulsion from Red October is the maximum punishment. In all cases of expulsion great care has to be exercised and it must be guaranteed that the accusations against the member are carefully scrutinized.

The expulsion from the organisation or the imposition of a different penalty are discussed in the member's cell or base and are adopted by a two-thirds majority of the full members. If an application for expulsion has failed, the applicant has the right to institute proceedings. To this effect the member in question must turn to the secretariat which then has to take a decision on the matter within a period of four months.

Nevertheless, the secretariat also has the right to take a decision on the expulsion of a member from the organisation of Red October or to inflict a different penalty. However, the cell or base must be informed of the measure.

The member against whom proceedings are to be instituted must be invited in accordance with the rules of the statute. The member concerned has the right to make a statement on the charges. The member must be informed of the expulsion with reasons given.

Against the penalties, including expulsions from the organisation, an objection can be raised with the meeting of members. This body will consequently discuss the case and take a decision on the objection raised.

A member who has been expelled from the organisation, can be readmitted if he has proved by deeds that he now meets the demands of membership. The decision of readmission is taken by the secretariat.

If the body which expelled a member, later arrives at the conclusion that the measure had been unjustified, then the member concerned, in consultation with the secretariat, must be reinstated in his full membership rights. Apart from that, decisions on the reinstatement into the full membership rights of all those who have been unjustly expelled, are dealt with and decided upon by the secretariat.

II. Structure and inner democracy

The structure of the organisation of Red October rests on the principle of democratic centralism. That is to say ...

a. that all bodies are elected democratically from bottom to top;

b. that the elected bodies are obliged to report regularly to those who elected them;

c. that all decisions taken by superior bodies are binding for each subordinate body and that strict unified discipline must be observed;

d. that in each body the minority submits to the majority;

e. that decisions on a fundamental line change are subject to the confirmation of the meeting of members;

The principle of inner democracy guarantees each member the right to voice an opinion on all policy issues.

Each body and its leaders are obliged to encourage criticism and self-criticism as this ensures the sound development and the strengthening of the organisation and constitutes an inseparable part of inner democracy.

Each body and each member is committed to protecting inner democracy against hostile elements and to preserving the unity of Red October on the basis of Marxism-Leninism and the interests of the working class. Decisions which have been taken by majority vote, must be carried out by all members.

At elections each member of the respective body has the right to raise objections against the proposed candidates and to submit new proposals. Each nomination will be examined on an individual basis and the vote has to be taken by secret ballot. Lists of candidates are forbidden.

Under conditions of illegality the principle of democratic centralism concerning the eligibility of the leading bodies and the rendering of accounts by upper bodies to lower ones cannot always be completely ensured.

Factionalism within the organisation is forbidden since it undermines the unity of Red October. In the final analysis, it constitutes the attempt by a group of the organisation to force its will on the entire organisation by means of undemocratic manoeuvres and tricks instead of by argumentation.

Any group within the organisation sabotaging the implementation of decisions or aiming at blocking the carrying out of decisions taken, constitutes a faction. Any attempt to rally sections of the organisation from outside the bodies to influence the decision making process in a deliberate and organized way, constitutes factionalism. In particular, we speak of factional activities if arrangements are made from outside the organisation with the objective to achieve a common and purposeful strategy which is then used inside the organisation with the aim of influencing the taking of votes and election results. Each and every attempt and any suspicion of factionalism has to be reported to the secretariat immediately.

A critical discussion of problems of work among members even outside the meeting of members hasn't got anything to do with factional activities, but constitutes a normal exercise of inner democracy. If there are frequent meetings of members outside the bodies of the organisation of Red October and outside the established working groups, then this is also admissable provided the secretariat has been informed to that effect and the implementation of decisions is not blocked by that and provided that these meetings do not serve the purpose of making organisational arrangements in connection with an intra-party controversy.

III. The bodies of Red October

The bodies are: the basic units (cells and bases), the meetings of members and the secretariat.

1. The basic unit

The foundation of Red October is made up of its basic units (cells and bases). Red October's structure follows the principle that factory cells and bases take priority over residential groups.

Not less than three full members and not more than seven plus the candidates constitute a cell with confirmation of the secretariat. In exceptional cases, with the approval of the secretariat, basic groups can be set up in which more than seven members are organised. If in a factory or in an area there are less than three full members, the full members plus the candidates constitute a base with the confirmation of the secretariat being necessary.

As a rule, cells or bases elect their chairperson and, if required, their deputy once a year. This also applies to all the other posts within the basic unit as for example to that of the treasurer.

The basic unit links the members with the organisation of Red October. Therefore the main tasks of the basic units are the following:

a. The basic unit meets regularly to organise its work, to exchange views, to discuss things over and to do ideological work;

b. The basic unit attaches great importance to educating its members and preparing them for the struggle against the class enemy and its instruments: revisionism and opportunism;

c. The basic unit organises the participation of its members in the struggles of the working class in its area. It endeavours to mobilise the working class for the fight against the capitalist class on the basis of its own interests and to link this fight to the chief goal of the working class: the overthrow of the system of the capitalist exploiters. It must try to recruit new members and win new sympathisers for Red October while supporting the cause of the working class, with special attention to be given to winning over and organising the most progressive forces of the working class. The basic unit - especially in its own immediate area

- supports its members as much as possible in their daily task to fight for and to spread Red Octobers' policies.

d. The basic unit informs its members about the fundamental decisions and the basic line of Red October. It organises a vivid discussion about the most important issues of the class struggle and the party building work. It endeavours to enable its members to employ Marxism-Leninism independently in order to solve practical problems. It sees to it that the individual members develop a sense of responsibility for the whole organisation and for helping to further develop its line and policies. It supports as best as possible the work on more general and central tasks of Red October, with special attention to be given to the central organ of 'Red October'. It carries out the tasks, decisions and slogans of Red October in due course.

e. The basic unit also assists, if possible, its members to adopt a communist attitude in private matters. It organises effective solidarity with comrades who are in distress or who are persecuted by the class enemy.

f. The basic unit takes appropriate steps and establishes organisational links to protect the organisation of Red October against the attacks of reaction and capital.

2. The meeting of members

The meeting of members is the highest body of Red October. It is convened at least once a year. Each member has the right to demand the early convention of a meeting of members which has to be made by a written internal statement listing the reasons for the step. If the motion is supported by one third of the full members, the secretariat has to convene a meeting of members. However, the secretariat itself also has the right to call a meeting of members. For such a motion a simple majority in the secretariat is required.

All members of Red October are invited to the meeting of members unless the last meeting of members has taken a different decision. Only full members have the right to vote and are eligible.

The meeting of members accepts the report of the secretariat and takes a decision on that. The members of Red October or the delegates (if the members have decided on a delegate meeting) themselves render accounts on their supervision of the secretariat. The meeting of members has the right to enlarge the statute of Red October or to amend it. The meeting of members determines the basic ideological, political and organisational line and orientation of the organisation. It determines the number of members of the secretariat and elects them. The meeting can also elect a supervisory committee if it reaches the conclusion that the development and size of Red October renders this necessary or demands such a step.

Elected are those candidates who have received the most votes. Members of the secretariat cannot be members of the supervisory committee (if such a body is elected) at the same time.

3. The secretariat

During the time between meetings of members the secretariat is the highest body of Red October and directs its entire activities. In particular, the secretariat has the following duties:

a. to see to it that the unity of Red October is always preserved;

b. to conduct a harsh struggle against any kind of deviations;

c. to put into practice the decisions of the meetings of members/delegates;

d. to take own decisions to ensure the instruction work of Red October;

e. to instruct the lower bodies and to look after them (or to pass on this task to instructors);

f. to organise the foundation of new cells;

g. to create sections or working groups or to eliminate them;

h. to promote Red October's influence;

i. to administer the forces, cadres and means of Red October and to allocate them properly;

j. to organise and lead actions and campaigns which are essential for Red October;

k. to organise and to run central Marxist-Leninist training courses

l. to promote contacts with communist and other democratic organisations here and abroad and to make new contact;

m. to render account on a regular basis;

n. to publish the central organ and other theoretical and centrally important writings;

o. to convene meetings of members.

The secretariat organises plenums at least three times a year. A plenum has to be convened if one third of the membership of the secretariat demands such a step.

If a member of the secretariat resigns, it will be replaced by the candidate who has received the most votes at the last meeting of members. If no candidates were elected or if the size of the secretariat which was agreed upon at the meeting of members can no longer be reached, a conference has to be summoned which will then elect the missing members of the secretariat.

The secretariat has the right to nominate new candidates for its enlargement or its replenishment. These candidates must not become members of the secretariat. They solely have an advisory function and no right to vote. This advisory function is also limited to the area previously described by the secretariat.

The secretariat has the duty to:

a. to abide by the decisions taken by the meetings of members;

b. to inform the members regularly about its policies on fundamental issues also between meetings;

c. to inform itself about the members' views and to deal with them seriously;

d. to answer criticisms by members of Red October as far as its activities are concerned in an appropriate manner;

e. to internally publicize criticisms and contributions to discussions.

At any time the secretariat may create new functions within its own body or eliminate them for which a two-thirds majority is required. Each member of the secretariat may at any time put forward proposals of such type and must not be disciplined for doing so.

4. The editorial staff

It is up to the secretariat to decide which members of the secretariat are to belong to the editorial staff. However, at least two have to be nominated. They make up the staff's nucleus. The secretariat nominates other members of the organisation to work on the editorial staff.

The editorial staff works on the basis of the decisions taken by the secretariat. So it also has to carry out the political line. The content of the organ is discussed by the editorial staff and, if necessary, revised or corrected by it. Which articles are to publicized and which not, will be decided by the editors.

5. Supervisory bodies

The valid statute does not provide for any supervisory bodies because the size of Red October does not require them at present. It is possible to set up supervisory bodies at the meetings of members. If this is the case, the necessary rules have to be incorporated into the statute.

If there are no such supervisory bodies, it does by no means follow that there are no checks and balances within the organisation. Each member is obliged to exercise supervision and to fight any tendency of deviation from the general line with those means which are provided for this purpose. They can at any time turn to the secretariat on this matter. At any time they can demand the calling of a meeting of members to correct the course or to reelect the leading personnel. Thus, each member has the following duties in this respect:

a. to check that the decisions of the meeting of members are properly carried out and put into practice by the secretariat to make sure that the entire organisation of Red October works on the basis of the statute as well as on that of the decisions taken by the meetings of members.

b. to improve the vigilance and steadfastness of Red October against attacks by reaction or capital;

c. to propose measures to the leading bodies and to the basic units to fight deviations from the Marxist-Leninist line and the statute;

d. to fight for an attitude of revolutionary vigilance against factional activities;

e. to fight against any tendencies of bureaucracy and liberalism within Red October; f. to improve the communist relations among the members of Red October and to promote their standing on their own feet inside and outside the organisation;

g. to make efforts to guarantee that Red October always remains an instrument of the working class;

h. to direct the attention to the danger that the organisation might alienate itself from the interests of the working class;

i. to nip in the bud deviations from Marxist-Leninist principles;

j. to render account on ones own activities.

To fulfil these tasks, all criticisms directed to the secretariat, will be publicized internally.

IV. Name and logo

The name of the organisation is 'Red October', 'RO' for short. The star of Spartakus, the hammer, sickle and the rifle is the logo of the organisation.

V. Financial means

Membership fees, special fees, income from the sale of publications, etc., and donations make up the financial means of the organisation. The monthly membership fees are stipulated in keeping with the decisions taken by the meeting of members.

In dealing with financial means the utmost exactitude is a must. Tendencies of wastefulness will not be tolerated.

VI. Cadres, functionaries

Cadres and officeholders of Red October do not enjoy any privileges whatsoever. Their income must not exceed the wage of an ordinary skilled worker (own income has to be accounted for). Against anyone who violates this principle proceedings will be instituted.

(Adopted at the foundation conference in December 2002, with amendments made at the meeting of members in March 2003 and the meeting of delegates in March 2004).