21 October 2013
European Court ruling on Basque political prisoners welcomed by Sinn Féin
A EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS ruling today against the illegal detention of some 70 Basque political prisoners has been welcomed by Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan in Belfast.
Pat Sheehan said:
“The Spanish Government, through the so-called Parot Doctrine, has kept a large number of Basque political prisoners in detention despite the fact that they should have been released years ago.
“Today’s ruling, in a case taken by Inés del Río Prada, has ramifications for up to 76 prisoners, all of whom should now be released without further delay.”
The Assembly member for west Belfast also noted that it is now two years since ETA declared an end to their armed campaign and since international leaders – including Kofi Anan, Gerry Adams and Jonathan Powell – attended the Aiete International conference calling for the Spanish Government to play an active and positive role in the peace process.
“This is yet to happen,” Pat Sheehan said.
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