The word, the voice, the ideas, the thought – Schafik Handal's figure lives in the hearts of the Salvadorians. He has already become a part of the fighting traditions of his people. There are thousands and thousands, that cry and suffer.

The life of Schafik Handal (1930-2006) was dedicated to proclaiming truth and justice, to fighting for a just society: for socialism. Schafik lived all his life with dignity and he died with dignity. With the confidence of a fulfilled duty.

For many years Schafik Handal led the Communist Party of El Salvador. He was among the founders of the FMLN. He formed it into a strong military force and a political party that held together even in difficult times. He opted for peace when the military struggle had exhausted itself. He negotiated the conditions of that peace in the interests of the people. Even if he did not succeed to lead his organisation to government power, the FMLN stays the only serious opposition force in the country.

Schafik's life, thought, and will of struggle were guided by five big ideas: commitment, firmness, confidence, solidarity and happiness.

Commitment with truth and justice. In his early youth Schafik studied theory and organization. He was a passionate expert of the reality of the world and the motherland he wanted to transform. A rebellious, revolutionary, communist militant.

Firmness in the defense of principles. During all his life Schafik was a strong defender of the principles that drive the struggle of the people: sensibility to the sufferings of the opressed and firmness in face of the powerful. He was getting angry at injustices and he was fighting corruption.

Confidence in victory. Schafik died with the confidence that the Salvadorian people in a not far future will take its fate in its own hands. It will be able to build another society. With Schafik's ideals, with Schafik's dreams.  

International solidarity. Schafik was a friend of the peoples that fight imperialism. He acted in solidarity with Vietnam, with the Cuban Revolution, with Allende's Chile, with Sandinist Nicaragua, with Bolivarian Venezuela. With the American people fighting against the wars of the empire.

Happiness of life. Schafik was taking delight in listening to music, in reading, in the contact with his people, in hearing their stories of struggle and hope, in advising, giving ideas, always conspiring against the powerful ones.

With Schafik Handal one of the great figures of the international Left has gone. We will never forget him.