BATASUNA statement on the arrest of 10 activists of the pro-independence movement

international | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Thursday October 15, 2009 16:12 by Batasuna g.elejabarrieta at gmail dot com

On the 13th of October 2009 the Spanish National Police arrested 10 members of the Basque pro-independence movement. Among them Arnaldo Otegi, leader and spokesperson of Batasuna during the last peace process in the Basque Country, Rafa Diez, former National Secretary of the Trade Union LAB and Rufino Etxeberria, member of the Negotiation Committee during last peace process.

FIRST, Batasuna strongly condemns these political and judicial arrests.

SECOND, this is not the consequence of a judicial procedure but of a POLITICAL decision. As it is publicly known, the Basque pro-independence movement has been and is immersed in an internal debate. The aim of these arrests is to stop political initiatives that the Basque pro-independence movement was due to activate - political initiatives to resolve the ongoing conflict and to create a democratic scenario for the Basque Country.

THIRD, this is an attack against the whole of the Basque Country. The Basque Country needs a democratic scenario - a scenario based on the capacity of Basque society to decide upon its own future. The social and political majority in the Basque Country is in favour of a democratic transformation. This is why we believe that even if this has been a serious attack against democracy in the Basque Country we will be able to overcome it. It has clearly shown the aim of the Spanish Government: to stop all steps forward in favour of a democratic solution of the Basque conflict.

FOURTH, finally we want to conclude saying that:
- The Spanish State will never be able to make the left pro-independence movement, Batasuna and the Basque Country disappear.
- We want all Political and Trade Union forces in the Basque Country to know that we are determined to take our responsibilities and to continue working to open a new democratic scenario for the Basque Country.
- We call on the national and international community to act with responsibility.