Basque Info 24/02/10

Time to start the democratic process

10 days ago the Pro-Independence Left publicly announced the conclusions reached by the grassroots during the internal debate of the past few months. The document released, called ‘Stand Up Basque Country’ has shook the political arena. It promotes a democratic process for self-determination developed through exclusively political means.

According to the Pro-Independence Left leader Rufi Etxeberria, the democratic process would become a catalyst for political and social change and to achieve a democratic framework for the Basque Country.

Rufi Etxeberria stressed the importance of joining forces and a common strategy for all of those in favour of self-determination in order to create new conditions to achieve those democratic goals.

The pro-self-determination forces welcomed it while the Spanish unionist parties showed their real fears by trying to dismiss or ignore it.

The Basque nationalist party Eusko Alkartasuna (EA) said Basque politics have entered a new phase and went on to say the obstacles, which according to them were present before, have disappeared now. As a consequence there are now real opportunities to conform new alliances in favour of self-determination.

Those who welcomed the debate’s conclusions both in the Basque Country and abroad including Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams and international mediator Brian Currin asked the Spanish government to take advantage of the new opportunity for a peace process and demanded Batasuna is made a legal party again.

The Basque political prisoners’ relatives association Etxerat organised protests at the Spanish unionist’s parties offices in Irunea/Pamplona to denounce the hard living conditions and new searching measures imposed on them. Etxerat called on the Basque citizens to join forces and open a new political time were their imprisoned relatives’ rights will be respected.

Last detainees report terrible tortures

Eight arrested last week have told their solicitors in jail they were subjected to horrible tortures while under incommunicado at he hands of the Spanish police.

One of them, Jose Camacho was taken to hospital for four days.

Among the tortures reported are attempts of rape. They were stripped and put on the floor while the policemen tried to introduce a brush pole with a condom into their anus.

Other torture practices included suffocation with plastic bags, beatings while wrapped in blankets in order to prevent leaving marks, simulation of applying electrodes, extenuating physical exercises (one of the detainees’ muscles ruptured as a consequence), threats to be drowned in a bath and threats against their families. They were kept naked and blindfolded during the five days under the incommunicado regime.

All the arrested were sent to jail and accused of being members or helping ETA.

Broad support for Basque Agriculture Chamber’s accused

Hundreds of people gathered outside the court buildings in the southern French city of Pau last week to support the Basque Agriculture Chamber’s board of directors.

The Chamber was created in order to respond to the urgent needs of Basque farmers which had been ignored for years by the French authorities.

This attitude of complete disregard has generated in recent years a broad and strong movement in favour of Basque institutions and self-government. 95 local referendums on the question of Basque autonomy have been organised on the 14th of March. It was with that atmosphere that the Basque Farmers Union ELB decided to self-organise and set up the Basque Agriculture Chamber.

Last week the farmers trade unionists had to attend trial in Pau accused of illegally replacing the official French chamber and using a “foreign language” (referring to the Basque name of the chamber) to name it.

Among the hundreds of supporters who came from all parts of the Basque Country and rallied in the streets of Pau were representatives of all Basque nationalist parties, the greens, left wing parties, trade unions...and obviously farmers.

High Court rejects Basque extradition attempt

The Don't Extradite the Basques Campaign has welcomed the Belfast High Court ruling on Wednesday 24 February that there is no basis to extradite Arturo 'Beñat' Villanueva to Spain on 'terrorism' charges.

The campaign group is calling for an immediate end to extradition proceedings against both Belfast-based Basque men fighting for their right to remain in Ireland, Villanueva and Iñaki de Juana.

Campaign spokesperson Kevin Morrison said: "The High Court has made the correct judgement today. The case against Arturo 'Beñat' Villanueva is clearly politically motivated and seriously flawed in legal terms. We welcome the judgement and we urge the Spanish authorities to cease their vindictive pursuit of Villanueva and Iñaki de Juana and drop the extradition proceedings now.

"The High Court ruling supports Judge Tom Burgess's original ruling in the Recorder's Court last year that the warrant is flawed and lacking in sufficient detail and particularities of offences. The nature of the warrant, rejected now by both courts, demonstrates the politically motivated nature of the extradition attempt.

"The Don’t Extradite the Basques Campaign believes the extradition proceedings against Iñaki de Juana, which are also based on his political opinions and not any criminal offence, must now be rejected."

Villanueva was accused by the Spanish authorities of being a member of Jarrai, a Basque pro-independence political youth organisation, from 1994 to 2000. Jarrai was banned by the Spanish authorities in 2005 and categorised as a 'terrorist' organisation in 2007.

Last year the Recorder of Belfast ruled that the warrant against Villanueva was “invalid” as it failed to provide any specific particularities of the offence alleged against him – membership of pro-Basque independence political youth group Jarrai between 1994 and 2000.

“An extradition warrant must contain particulars as to the circumstances in which the defendant is alleged to have committed the offence,” Morrison said.
“The warrant against Villanueva is completely lacking as to these particulars".

“Villanueva and Iñaki de Juana are being pursued by the Spanish authorities for one reason – their political ideas in favour of Basque independence. The Irish community should stand beside these two men and ensure this attack on basic civil rights by the Spanish government is rejected.”

PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE UL BASQUE SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE'S FIRST AGM

On Wednesday the 17th of February the newly formed Limerick Basque Solidarity Committee held their first AGM in the University of Limerick. The meeting was attended by lecturers and students alike and attracted students from the USA, Brittany, Italy, England and of course Ireland. Attendees were given a brief introduction from the committee's co-ordinator Ross Taylor who explained the role of the committee and introduced the founding members.

Ms Izaskun Goinetxea was the first speaker, presenting a timeline of Basque youth movements, their aims and objectives and Spanish state repression against each of them. This was especially noteworthy from her as some of her friends from Santurtzi and Bizkaia were amongst the 34 arrested SEGI members before Christmas. Izaskun also mentioned the ongoing efforts of Belfast based Basque Arturo 'Benat' Villanueva in fighting an extradition warrant issued by the Spanish authorities against him for allegedly being a member of a "terrorist!" organisation.

Next speaker was Mr Ibai Roman who detailed the case of the Egunkaria newspaper and the trial of its members, followed by a video presentation in English on the case and the terms of prison that each of the defendants face. Ibai explained the cultural and language struggle is still ongoing and this was the subject of some questions from the assembled crowd. Mr Benat Exteberria explained that being a native of Nafarroa does not guarantee him language rights and that his people are still struggle for these rights.

The main speaker for the meeting, Mr Ross Taylor started by thanking the committee for arranging the meeting and the food and made a special welcome to the international guests. He dedicated his speech to Arturo and Inaki de Juana Chaos and declared that the reason that the Spanish authorities are pursuing these two men is because they represent the Basque people's proud determination to gain their independence and that they would not lie down and surrender. He detailed the reasons why students should get active in support of solidarity for the Basque Country and highlighted the ongoing repression suffered by the Basque independence movement. After his comments a lively debate and questions and answers session ensued.