We fight, because Spain allows you to fascism

Today begins in Madrid the trial of twelve of their comrades-in-arms for the Catalan independence. You have offered, by video link as a witness.
I could help to clarify a few things, in particular, if the Spanish head of government Mariano Rajoy or other politicians share their vision of the events. The court ruled, however, that my presentation of the events is unimportant.

Maybe because they wouldn't be present in person?
Thus, the Spanish judicial authorities have normally no Problem. There were always processes in which witnesses were connected via video conference.

The public Prosecutor's office speaks of Rebellion, because you have to be organized in 2017 to hold a Referendum on Catalonia's independence. Your competitors will face prison sentences of up to 25 years.
The whole process is a total disgrace. It is unacceptable that the court considers the organization of a referendum on self-determination as a criminal act. Neither 25 years old nor a one-year prison sentence are appropriate. Four persons are already more than a year in custody, the other almost eleven months.

pictures: The conflict over Catalonia (2017)

The Referendum was unconstitutional.
no, we have not violated the Constitution. The Spanish Constitution allows for a consultative vote on important issues. And even if the Referendum would have been unconstitutional, this would not be a criminal act, but rather disobedience. International law gives all Nations the right to self-determination. Spain has recognised this provision, but never implemented.

they Hoped to the aid of the EU?
not Initially. It was clear to us that the EU behind Spain. She has also done this in previous cases, when a state wanted to explain in Europe to be independent. In the case of Slovenia, such as the EU Commission, said a long time, you would not recognise the independence. Later, she has done it yet.

Slovenia was after a war, regardless. A short war, but called fatalities. Do you want to take that risk?
of Course not. I speak solely from international law. We have always called unconditionally for non-violence and democratic means.

An independent Catalonia would have to leave the EU. Spain might prevent after Catalonia's membership in the EU and trade agreement block. The dependence of Madrid, not to dignity, paradoxically, but increase.
these are fantasies. The reality is different: as Long as Spain and the independence of Catalonia is not acknowledged, we remain in the EU. If Spain would recognize the independence of Catalonia, one day, as an independent Republic and third-country, requires this agreement. It would agree on the division of the debt, the borders and, of course, about the membership of Catalonia in the EU.

do you really Believe that an independent Catalonia is realistic? Or are you, in fact, to more autonomy within Spain?
the More autonomy we have tried to achieve for forty years. In 2005, there was a template, approved in the Catalan Parliament, 120 of 135 members of Parliament, so many opponents of independence. Also the Catalan population and the Spanish Parliament have approved of this Statute by a significant majority. It was declared in 2010 following a complaint from the conservative party by the constitutional court in a number of important points to be invalid – that was the break.

"Spain not to be afraid of, in Catalonia, in front of violence, but of a politicized population."Carles Puigdemont

In Catalonia, only about half of the population supports independence. That's not enough.
How much would be enough? 50 percent plus one vote? I don't mind if you say, there is a need for a qualified majority. I have suggested to Mr Rajoy twice, that we should agree on a reconciliation date and the question. Also, the fact that we agree on that, at what percentage are we of the independence would be declared.

What are your next steps?
We can't wait forever. The court sentences against the accused politicians will have in 2019, a major influence on the relationship between Spain and Catalonia.

Can you exclude the possibility that it comes to violence and Terror?
there are no signs. In Barcelona, a million to demonstrate on a regular basis, and everything remains peaceful. Conversely, I've never heard a clear answer of the Spanish state on the question of whether he was ready to renounce violence, to prevent Catalonia to independence.

Video: Spanish police blocked polling stations (2017)

officials to storm polling stations and lock inputs: The police officers tried to prevent the by the Catalan regional government, continued independence referendum. Video: Reuters (1. October 2017)

In the case of a hardening of the Basque scenario of the 80s, threatens.
This can't compare, our society was never militarized, but acted always peacefully and democratically. We expect the same from the opposite side. Spain do not need to fear in Catalonia against violence, but in front of a politicized population.

As a reaction to the Catalan struggle for independence occurred in Spain, a new extreme right, and you will always be stronger.
This is not a new right, the old fascist right. It was in Spain. In addition, the movement for the rights of Homosexuals is about responsibility, when to shit because of you Single homophobic Comments fascinating? Feminism is for Machismo to be responsible? So please! We are fighting for a Republic, because Spain has, until today, the continued existence of fascism.

"In what other European country has used a fascist the king?"Carles Puigdemont

Spain will be counted in a Ranking of the British magazine "the Economist" one of the few well-functioning democracies in the world.
I don't know, what are the indicators of the "Economist" is used. But there are also other assessments. The politically persecuted Turkish editor-in-chief Can Dündar, for example, sees similarities with the authoritarian Turkish state. Nevertheless, Spain presented itself as the best democracy in the world.

We are not talking about the Spanish Propaganda, but from the Ranking of the "Economist".
There are other studies in which Spain performs poorly, for example, the separation of justice and politics, or the freedom of expression. Spain's judiciary has disregarded in the past years, the eleven recommendations of the Council of Europe to improve its justice miss. If it would keep to the laws, it should also respect the rights of an elected Parliament, such as in Catalonia. Our political prisoners can't see in the Computer your files. You are not allowed to wear the yellow ribbon, the Symbol for our struggle. And in what other European country is a fascist has used the king? Of a well-functioning democracy I have a different idea.

Catalonia has its own police force, Catalan is the official language and in schools and universities much more present than in Spanish. That's not enough for you?
Our police are not independent. You may not, for example, participate in the meetings of Europol, although that would be their right. So your important data is missing, such as the fight against Islamic terrorism. In addition, we have big problems to Finance our police. Catalan was suppressed during centuries and from the public life, banished, today it is recognized as a separate language in between Spanish and French officially. But in truth it is more complicated: Until today, no judge in Catalonia must understand Catalan. Not even 5 percent of the foreign-language films are double subtitled.

you live in Brussels, you are separated from your family. You can expect a year-long exile?
The can be, I'm prepared for it. But I'm not separated from my family. She visits me every three weeks, we talk every day via Video. My Situation does not compare with what my Grandfather, mother's side after his escape from the Franco Regime or hundreds of thousands of refugees today. I am lucky to be able to my work here in Brussels, in freedom, thanks to the rights guaranteed to me by the EU.

we assume that you are sitting in ten years ' time in Brussels and Catalonia still belongs to Spain – do you sometimes fear to end up as a tragicomic figure? As a Catalan Don Quixote?
no, never. I am a happy and hopeful person. We were Catalans always in a difficult Situation. You look at the Palestinians, they are fighting since decades for your state and do not give up. We are in a transition phase, we will continue to fight and Decisions to the ballot box to accept. The Problem of Catalonia exists since 300 years. It is time for a solution, and I am confident that this will happen in my lifetime.

Carles Puigdemont occurs on the 27. February at 20.00 o'clock in the Kaufleuten, Pelikanplatz, Zurich. There are only a few tickets are still available. (editor-in-Tamedia)

Created: 12.02.2019, 08:31 PM