Catalan National Day – free speech under threat
Otherwise mainstream politicians have stacked the deck against any possibility of negotiating over legitimate political demands. The Spanish judiciary meanwhile turns the law on its... Read More
Spain
Cómo detener un conflicto civil (I)
El desafío inmediato es que tenemos una crisis de proporciones potencialmente graves. Catalunya podría convertirse en otra Irlanda del Norte. Esto podría pasar en cualquier... Read More
How to stop a civil conflict (I)
Catalonia might slip down into becoming another Northern Ireland. If it happens, it will be a catastrophe for all the people of Catalonia and indeed... Read More
Office of the International Supervisor of Catalonia – proposal for initial support
There is a real perception of danger that Catalonia is on the precipice of civil conflict. Because the European Union and the United Nations have... Read More
The need for peace
The elections on 21 December 2017 are the most important elections Catalonia has ever seen. They are the most important elections Spain has ever seen.... Read More
La necesidad de paz
Las elecciones del 21 de diciembre de 2017 son las elecciones más importantes que Cataluña haya visto jamás. Son también las elecciones más importantes que... Read More
Fraude electoral en las elecciones Catalanas – ¿podría suceder?
La comunidad internacional debe vigilar las elecciones del 21 de diciembre de 2017. Los ciudadanos de Cataluña también tienen que vigilar esas elecciones. Existen suficientes... Read More
Ballot fraud in the Catalan elections – could it happen?
The international community must watch the elections on 21 December 2017. The people of Catalonia need to watch those elections as well. There are sufficient... Read More
Catalonia votes
Madrid’s refusal to compromise, in the view of the Catalan nationalist movement, renders the push towards Catalan independence impossible to avert. There is no practical... Read More
Votaciones Catalanas
La negativa de Madrid a comprometerse, en opinión del movimiento nacionalista catalán, hace que el impulso hacia la independencia catalana sea imposible de evitar. No... Read More
Catalonia suppressed
The Catalan crisis is the Spanish crisis. It is the European crisis. It is the return of the face of authoritarianism within the heart of... Read More
Sequestering Catalonia
It now seems depressingly likely that Spain heads into a long-term low-level conflict with one of its most prosperous regions, doing damage to the economy... Read More
Separatism in Europe – Catalonia and the others
Might we see some revival of some secessionist movements in Europe due to the situation in Catalonia or maybe not so much, and why?
Secession blues
Make no mistake; the ongoing Catalan crisis is a disaster for Kosova.
Reflection on the Catalan conundrum
Whether or not the Spanish state missteps further in an attempted occupation of Catalonia, the political geography of Spain now seems destined to be permanently... Read More
Why are Basque nationalists coming to the rescue of the Spanish conservative government?
One of Spain’s most unlikely political alliances has ancient roots.
Basque Country – Lokarri calls it a day
Lokarri – a citizens’ network for consensus and consultation – would like to announce an important decision about its future. From March 2015 it will... Read More
The Basque peace process – recognizing the victims
In mid-January, the Parliament of Navarre granted the processing of a law on the recognition of victims of politically-motivated actions. The aim is to provide... Read More
Updates on the Basque peace process
In mid-December, the International Verification Commission announced that it had “received reports from ETA that it is continuing the process of sealing and putting its... Read More
Dialogue group in the French Basque Country
The “Declaration of Aiete” outlines proposals for strengthening French Government-ETA dialogue, dealing with the consequences of the conflict and providing a legal, political and institutional framework for... Read More
Basque Country – social forum to promote the peace process
The Social Forum is an example of how a citizens’ initiative can generate new ideas and solutions to overcome impasses and find new ways to progress... Read More
Basque Country – experiences of the Social Forum to invigorate peace
The Basque process has had to be innovative, mainly because of the very limited contact between ETA and the Spanish or French governments. Much of Basque... Read More
Basque Country – definitive cessation of ETA’s armed activity
Emeritus Archbishop and Noble Peace Prize winner, Desmond Tutu, welcomed ETA’s decision to start the process of disarmament, because it “opens the door to a lasting... Read More
Basque Country – concrete steps in the peace process
Concrete steps in the peace process – such as the cessation of violence by ETA, the legalisation of Sortu and repeal of the Parot Doctrine... Read More
Basque Country – police operation against the Herrira movement
On September 30th, the Civil Guard conducted a police operation against the popular movement that works for human rights of prisoners, Herrira, arresting 18 of... Read More
The Basque Country – patience and determination
Driving a peace process forward requires staying patient and determined. What has been achieved seemed unthinkable a few years ago, so it is now also... Read More
Catalonia – divisive policies that merge identities
Catalonia is undergoing profound changes – particularly with respect to its class boundaries and defining elements of identity – which are prompting the development of... Read More
The Basque Country – a window of opportunities
Following successful elections in the Basque Country at the end of October – the first to take place without violence by ETA – the time has... Read More
Basque conflict – consensus on an agenda of disarmament, dismantling and reinsertion
The problem the Basque peace process faces is that the Spanish government will not change its strategy until ETA declares its dissolution, whilst ETA is not... Read More
Building an inclusive peace process in the Basque Country
It is time for the local, regional and state-wide political leadership to recognise the maturity of local civil society and afford it a lead-role in the resolution of the Basque conflict and all aspects that surround it - such as the issue of prisoners, the victims of terrorism, political legitimacy and even the right to repentance.
Resolving the Basque conflict
The Spanish government should immediately establish contacts with ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna); not because it owes ETA anything, but because Basque society wants the irreversibility of the end of violence to be guaranteed through the disarmament and dismantling of ETA’s structures.
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