Stop political prosecution against Basques

international | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Thursday April 30, 2009 08:06 by Basque Pro-Independence Left

Basque Pro Independence Left strongly denounce the extradition request made by Spanish authorities for Arturo Villanueva

Arturo "Benat" Villanueva is accused of having been a member of the Basque pro-independence left youth league.

According to his lawyer he has been living in the North of Ireland for more than five years, and had established a tourism business.

There is no criminal activity alleged in the extradition request made by the Spanish authorities, only membership of a youth league. He is prosecuted by Spain solely for political activities.

This is similar to the extradition request for Iñaki de Juana which is based on a supposed statement which could be, according to the Spanish authorities a criminal offense and which in reality is based on the fact that Iñaki is a former political prisoner.

Spanish extradition demands for Basque citizens are an abuse of human rights and liberties. We’d like to ask all European states not to take part in the this undemocratic fight against Basque pro-independence forces that is currently being waged by the Spanish state. The latest reports on the Spanish "fight against terror" by UN officers have showed the failures and abuses of these policies.

We call on British authorities not to walk down this undemocratic path. As the Ireland peace process shows all of us the only instrument that can resolve a conflict of such a nature is inclusive dialogue and negotiation.

We also express our sincere gratitude to the Irish people, Irish Republicans and European human right activists and supporters in general for the help they have given and solidarity shown with Basque citizens.