‘FREEDOM FOR CATALONIA’

Posted by Jim on September 23, 2017

A sudden and violent attempt to suppress the Catalan independence
movement by the Madrid government has shocked those struggling for
self-determination across the world.

Describing the independence referendum in Catalonia as a “democratic
imperative”, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams TD said that the people
there must be allowed to decide their own future.

He was speaking after Spanish national police stormed ministries and
buildings in Barcelona belonging to Catalonia’s regional government to
put a stop to the referendum.

The Guardia Civil, which acts with the authority of Madrid’s interior
ministry, searched for “evidence” regarding the vote.

In the early hours of the morning armed officers arrived at various
Catalan ministries, including the economy department, foreign affairs
department, and social affairs department. More than a dozen Catalan
officials were arrested, including the chief aide to Catalonia’s deputy
prime minister.

Mayors of Catalan towns who back the referendum were also interrogated
and threatened with arrest, while documentation relating to the poll was
seized.

Pro-independence crowds formed outside the regional ministries in
support of the provincial government and in protest against the raids
and searches.

For some, their brought back painful memories the Spanish Civil war in
the 1930s, when republicans and socialists, supported by the Catalan
government, died fighting against the fascist dictatorship of General
Franco.

“It is unacceptable for there to be political prisoners in a European
democracy. The [governing party] Partido Popular leads us to an
authoritarian regression that cannot be tolerated,” a spokesperson for
Podemos said on social media.

Carles Puigdemont, the president of the Catalonian government, said the
Madrid authorities had “de facto suspended” home rule in Catalonia.

Thousands of additional Guardia Civil have now been sent to the area
ahead of the referendum. The growing police presence and aggressive
crackdowns are fuelling mounting protests among the Catalan population,
with thousands taking to the streets of Barcelona, and dock workers
refusing to provide services to the police arriving on ferries.

The secession referendum is scheduled for October 1, and top regional
officials insist the vote will go on as scheduled.

There is strong support in Ireland for Catalan independence.

“The future of Catalonia should be decided by the Catalan people,” Mr
Adams said.

“Those who truly cherish the principles of democracy, have nothing to
fear from Catalonia having an independence referendum. In fact, given
that significant numbers of Catalans have repeatedly expressed their
desire to vote on their political future, the referendum should be
embraced as a democratic imperative.

“The Spanish Government has a moral responsibility to respect the
legislation passed by the Government of Catalonia. Mariano Rajoy’s
administration should engage in meaningful discussions with Catalan
representatives to ensure that the vote goes ahead, and without
coercion.

“To prevent the referendum from taking place would be an affront to
democratic ideals. Let the people of Catalonia have their say.”

Scottish Cabinet secretary for external affairs Fiona Hyslop said “that
all peoples have the right to self-determination and to choose the form
of government best suited to their needs, a principle which is
enshrined in the UN Charter.”

She said that the governments in London and Edinburgh had been able “to
come together to agree a process to allow the people to decide”.

“It is essential that democracy and civil rights are respected in all
countries,” she added.