SPAIN ARRESTS 34 BASQUE YOUTH ACTIVISTS

international | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Tuesday November 24, 2009 19:21

by Basque Info

basqueinfofacebook at gmail dot com

In the early hours of today 34 Basque pro-independence political activists were arrested and 92 properties were searched by 650 Spanish policemen.

Last week the anti repression organization Askatasuna warned of an inminent police operation in the Basque Country. Finally today 34 well known social, political and cultural young activists were arrested. Four more were able to escape. They are being held incommunicado despite the recent recomendations by the United Nations Committee Against Torture.

Just ten days ago the Basque pro-Independence Left held a press conference where 110 prominent members launched new proposals to resolve the conflict. In a historical move they commited to a "peaceful and political democratic process" (full declaration in English: http://www.ezkerabertzalea.info/irakurri.php?id=2600). The declaration was welcomed by Basque nationalist and progressive forces and criminalized by the pro-Spanish parties and media.

On October 13 six prominent pro-Independence Left leader, among them spokesperson Arnaldo Otegi, were arrested and imprisoned.

Most of political parties and trade unions in the Basque Country have seen these arrests as a response to the new political initiative. The pro-Independence Left has said these attacks only confirm the Spanish state's weakness and its fear to politics. According to the pro-Independence Left it's at the political arena where the state is weaker and that's where the confrontation has to be moved to. At the same time the Spanish state, with these arrests and others which might follow, pretends on the one hand to prevent any chance of estrategy by the pro-Independence Left and to weaken the engine of change on the other.

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by Irish Basque Solidarity Committees

Wed Nov 25, 2009 11:06

irishbsc at gmail dot com

The Irish Basque Solidarity Committees are calling Irish society and especially those in government to support the conflict resolution initiatives in the Basque Country and take part in solidarity picket lines organised:

Saturday 28th
Belfast (outside Cultúrlann, Falls Road 2.30pm)
Dublin (outside GPO 12 noon)

Basque solidarity call

Wed Nov 25, 2009 11:03

IBSC call for release of 34 youths arrested yesterday Tuesday 28 and to support peace efforts in Basque Country
Speaking today a spokesperson for the campaign stated:

“The arrest of thirty four young people in Basque County last night is wholly unacceptable and part of the ongoing campaign against members of the Basque pro-Independence Left.

They are accused of being the national and county level leadership of Segi, the pro-Independence Left youth organisation that was banned in 2002. They have done nothing but public and peaceful political work to promote the Basque youth and national rights. They fully endorse the conflict resolution proposals presented by the pro-Independence Left just two weeks ago. These proposals show the Basque pro-independence movement's commitment to a peaceful and democratic process. These arrests and those of spokesperson Arnaldo Otegi and others on October 13 are attempts by the Spanish government to prevent any political solution to the conflict.

“Indeed we only have to look at the ongoing extradition attempts of two members of the Basque community living in Belfast to see how far the Spanish authorities will go.

“The Spanish authorities need to realise that such actions are counterproductive when there they are set in the context of a wide range of groups outlining a scenario to re-establish a peace process in the Basque County ove the past few weeks.

“This initiative needs to be explored by the Spanish Government who can, if the political will exists, end negative actions such as these latest arrests and engage in dialogue to reach a solution the Basque conflict.”

The Irish Basque Solidarity Committees are calling Irish society and especially those in government to support the conflict resolution initiatives in the Basque Country and take part in solidarity picket lines organised this Saturday 28th in Belfast (outside Cultúrlann, Falls Road 2.30pm) and Dublin (outside GPO 12 noon)."

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SPAIN ARRESTS 34 BASQUE YOUTH ACTIVISTS

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