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MEPs back Basque peace process

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AboutsA number of MEPs from different political groups have signed an open letter calling for progress in the Basque peace process.

They have called for progress in respect of political prisoners. This follows the verdict of the European Court of Human Rights on 21 October concerning Spain's extended detention of some prisoners. It was estimated that around 50 Basque political prisoners had been kept in detention when they should have been released years ago.

In their letter the MEPs say that respect for prisoners' rights should be the next logical step in resolving the conflict. They called for dialogue, and international and EU engagement in building a lasting peace.

The MEPs state in their letter: "The respect of all the prisoners’ rights should be the next logical step to keep moving for the resolution of the conflict in the Basque region; the end of the policy of dispersion and their transfer to prisons close to their families, as well as the immediate release of seriously ill prisoners are measures that could be adopted by the Spanish Authorities applying the ordinary legislation."

The full text of the letter and its signatories is reproduced below.

Open Letter:

Peace in the Basque Country is Peace in Europe, it's time to make an effort.

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Brussels, 5 December 2013

To Whom it may concern,

In October 2006 the EU Parliament adopted a resolution supporting efforts to solve the ongoing political conflict in the Basque Country. Martin Schulz declared during the debate that “the road towards dialogue is the only way we can bring an end to this spiral of violence”.

We, Members of the European Parliament endorsing this article have been working on the promotion of a just and lasting peace scenario in the Basque Country. We have and we do this within the European institutions for two main reasons. First, because we believe that building peace in the Basque Country contributes to build peace in the EU. And, second, because being  this a conflict happening within the EU borders, we consider that the EU could and should play a fundamental role in the resolution of the ongoing conflict.

In October 2011 Kofi Annan, Bertie Ahern, Gro Harlem Brutland, Jonathan Powell, Gerry Adams and Pierre Joxe attended in San Sebastian the International Conference to promote the resolution of the conflict in the Basque Country. In their name and on behalf of broader sectors of the international community they presented a road-map for the resolution of the conflict. ETA responded to this call by declaring the end to its armed campaign three days later. Ever since this process and road-map have received the support of many, including among others Jimmy Carter, Ban Ki-moon, Bill Clinton, scores of MEPs, as well as 13 former South American Presidents. These recommendations called also on the Spanish and French governments to play an active and positive role in the peace process. However and unfortunately this is yet to happen.

For this reason, we welcome the October 21st decision  of the European Court of Human Rights about the 197/2006 Doctrine, on the extended detention of Basque Political prisoners. This Doctrine has led to serious breaches of fundamental Human Rights.

According to the ruling, the Spanish authorities, through the so called Parot Doctrine, have kept over 50 Basque political prisoners in detention despite the fact that they should have been released years ago.

The compliance of the Spanish judiciary with the ruling, and the subsequent release of the prisoners affected by this doctrine, have to be understood as a victory of Human Rights and as a window of opportunity to move forward on the resolution of the conflict.

The respect of all the prisoners’ rights should be the next logical step to keep moving for the resolution of the conflict in the Basque region; the end of the policy of dispersion and their transfer to prisons close to their families, as well as the immediate release of seriously ill prisoners are measures that could be adopted by the Spanish Authorities applying the ordinary legislation.

What should prevail today is the construction of a political space for dialogue and not the resort to the use of police’s and justice’s usual measures.

It is time to build peace, it is time to build a future based on human rights, justice, truth and reparation for all those who have suffered throughout the conflict.

On the path to peace, respect prisoners' rights.

Endorser MEPs:

François Alfonsi
Martina Anderson
Marc Demesmaeker
Jill Evans
Catherine Grèze
Ian Hudghton
Iñaki Irazabalbeitia
Marisa Matias
Raül Romeva
Alyn Smith
Alda Sousa
Bart Staes
Nikola Vuljanic
Tatjana Zdanoka

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