New Basque solidarity mural unveiled at Belfast’s International Wall

» Peadar Whelan

‘We stand today alongside our Basque comrades in our call to the Spanish Government to end political arrests, political charges and political trials. All political prisoners should be released’

A NEW MURAL on west Belfast’s International Wall to show support for the Basque people in their struggle for independence from Spain has been unveiled by Sinn Féin Assembly member Pat Sheehan, former political prisoner.

The Falls Road mural calls also for the release of Basque political prisoners held under draconian legislation aimed at  suppressing Basque political resistance despite the peace process and armed resistance movement ETA announcing a definitive ceasefire in 2011.

At the unveiling on Friday 11 October, Pat Sheehan (pictured with his daughter Banba) spoke of the affinity between the Basque people and Irish republicans  “in our struggles against our historical oppression”. 

Pat went on to praise ETA and the Basque political leadership who have created conditions to ensure all important political issues are addressed and dealt with by purely peaceful, political and democratic means. 

“The peaceful conditions now being enjoyed by all the peoples of the Spanish and French states and the Basque Country result from the huge political discussion and political work over the past 10 years. This is, in no small measure, due to the political vision and work of Basque leaders like Arnaldo Otegi.”

Former H-Blocks hunger striker Sheehan was critical of the Spanish Government.

“Instead of embracing these new conditions and building a new relationship between the Basque and Spanish peoples, the Spanish Government is continuing to fight the war using the old methods of oppression.

“Their decision to arrest and put through show trials members of the Basque Youth League, Segi, and the Batasuna leadership are an example of this oppression. 

“We stand today alongside our Basque comrades in our call to the Spanish Government to end political arrests, political charges and political trials. All political prisoners should be released.

“The way forward should be based on meaningful dialogue with representatives of the Basque people committing to a peaceful and democratic process and to the building of a new relationship between the Basque Country and the Spanish and French states, a relationship based on equality and the exercise of their right to self-determination without impediment or external interference.”

• Below: Sinn Féin representatives Paul Maskey MP, Rosie McCorley MLA and Councillor Ciarán Beattie with members of the Mairead Farrell Youth Committee at the unveiling