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2 October 2013

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Video: Basque Senator Urko Aiartza in Dublin talks about Spanish police raids and peace process

The delegation originally intended to focus on highlighting two upcoming trials in the Basque Country: on October 14th of 40 young Basque activists and on October 17th of the Basque political leadership


BASQUE Senator Urko Aiartza is in Ireland his week with two colleagues from the Basque Country to raise international awareness about the increasingly aggressive attacks by the Spanish state undermining the peace process, including police raids on human rights groups and NGOs.

The delegation – which met Sinn Féin and other political figures in Dublin and Belfast – originally intended to focus on highlighting two upcoming trials in the Basque Country: on October 14th of 40 young Basque activists and on October 17th of the Basque political leadership.

The visit was given added impetus by last Monday’s Guardia Civil police raids and the arrest of 18 people campaigning on prisoners’ rights on the grounds that ETA also supports prisoners’ rights.

The raids have provoked widespread anger in the Basque Country across the political spectrum, including protests by the ‘moderate’ PNV – likened by Senator Aiartza to the SDLP or Fianna Fáil – and the Socialist Party (PSOE), sister party of the Irish Labour Party.

Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson called for the immediate release of those arrested on Monday, saying:

“This is a violation of the fundamental right to freedom of association and freedom of expression.

“Dealing with the issue of prisoners is an essential part of developing the peace process in the Basque Country. Basque prisoners should be repatriated to the Basque Country in order to be close to their families and seriously-ill prisoners should be released.

“Herrira have an important role to play in defending the human rights of Basque prisoners and in promoting a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the Basque Country.

“Yesterday’s action shows the lack of political will of the Spanish Government regarding the peace process. The Spanish Government should once and for all commit to peace, democracy and respect of human and political rights.”

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