Solidarity with the basque political refugee Josu Lariz Iriondo

international | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Tuesday May 25, 2004 19:26 by Asociación Diáspora Vasca advinfo at euskalherria dot org

The Asociación Diáspora Vasca, with members in more than 20 countries, addresses the general public and the Argentinian Government to alert them over the political significance of keeping Basque political refugee Josu Lariz Iriondo in a prison in Buenos Aires. 17 months ago, he was illegaly abducted from Uruguay which was his country of residence at the time.

Our association reminds you that Lariz Iriondo is behind bars without any valid reasons for it, his imprisonment lies squarely on an arbitrary policy of persecution that was madly instigated by the discredited government of former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar.

Due to the proximity of the oral trial, ADV wishes to denounce the number of illegal measures taken against the Basque Lariz Iriondo, and also to ask from the international community a display of solidarity in order to reject the demand of extradition by the Spanish state and to return the issue to the status it had previous to his abduction from Uruguay.

Argentina has a rich history of solidarity and the Basque community has been highly recognized for its contribution to the betterment of the nation. To provid a space for the shady deals between the Uruguayan President Jorge Batlle and the fallen Spanish Prime Minister blemishes the image of Argentina. It is of up-most importance to set the Basque Lariz Iriondo free as soon as possible. This will be a feat that will serve justice, a great merit to the Argentinian Government and an honor to the tradition of solidarity of the Argentinian people.

Asociación Diáspora Vasca
http://euskalherria.cjb.net
advinfo@euskalerria.org

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