[Marxism] Basque petition - Stop the extraditions

[Emma Clancy <emmaclancy83@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi all, please sign the petition against the extradition of two Belfast-based 
Basque pro-independence activists by the Spanish government
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http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/dont-extradite-the-basques.html
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More info: www.dontextraditethebasques.org
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DON'T EXTRADITE THE BASQUES

*IÃaki de Juana

The Spanish authorities are trying to extradite IÃaki de Juana, who served 21 
years in Spanish jails, from Belfast, where he moved immediately after his 
release in August last year, to face questioning related to charges of 
âglorifying terrorismâ.

The arrest warrant is based on somebody at a rally in Donostia in August, which 
was celebrating IÃaki's release from prison, reading a letter that used the 
popular Basque expression âAurrera bolieâ (âKick the ball forwardâ). 
The Spanish authorities claim this phrase constitutes a call for the 
continuation of armed struggle.

IÃaki was not present at this rally and denies writing such a letter, which 
Spanish police admit they cannot produce. There is no evidence that this 
comment was IÃaki's or that it somehow constitutes a terrorist offence.

There has been a virulent and sustained hate campaign against IÃaki by the 
Spanish media for many years, and Spain's former justice minister has 
previously publicly called for the judges to âconstruct new chargesâ 
against IÃaki to âkeep him in jailâ.

It is very clear that behind the warrant for âquestioningâ issued by Spain 
is the agenda of putting IÃaki back in prison, despite the fact that he has 
not committed any offence.

*Arturo âBeÃatâ Villanueva 

Basque youth activist Arturo âBeÃatâ Villanueva was arrested in March 2001 
by the Spanish police, with 15 other young pro-independence activists, and was 
accused of being a member of Basque pro-independence socialist youth 
organisation Jarrai.

While Jarrai is a solely political organisation, it was declared illegal by the 
Spanish authorities in 2005 and categorised as a âterroristâ organisation 
by Spain's Supreme Court in 2007.

Charged with âmembership of a terrorist organisationâ, BeÃat faced a 
possible 14-year jail sentence for his political activism. Released on bail 
after 10 months in prison, he did not attend what many believed to be a 
political show trial.

In 2004, BeÃat decided to seek refuge in Belfast from Spanish political 
persecution and the risk of torture.

At the time of BeÃat's alleged membership of Jarrai (1994-2000), the 
organisation was legal. The Spanish court is applying the law that criminalised 
Jarrai retrospectively.

BeÃat is being targeted by the Spanish authorities for carrying out political, 
public and peaceful youth work in the Basque Country. His only âcrimeâ has 
been his political ideas in favour of Basque independence and socialism.

POLITICAL PERSECUTION

In its effort to prevent the Basque people from exercising their democratic 
right to self-determination, Spain is breaching several fundamental rights as 
outlined in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including the right 
to freedom of opinion and expression, of peaceful assembly and association, the 
right to take part in the government of their state and the right not to be 
subjected to torture or abuse.

The British government must abide by another fundamental human right laid out 
in the UN Declaration: 'Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other 
countries asylum from persecution'.

IÃaki de Juana and Arturo âBeÃatâ Villanueva are clearly being persecuted 
solely for their political opinions, not for any criminal activity. We believe 
they will not receive a fair hearing with the Spanish judicial system and face 
the risk of torture.
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Petition:
* We, the undersigned, demand that the Spanish government respects the 
fundamental human, civil and political rights of the Basque people as laid out 
in the UN Declaration of Human Rights.

* We demand that the Spanish government ends its campaign of criminalisation 
and political persecution against organisations and individuals that are in 
favour of Basque independence.

* We support the right of IÃaki de Juana and Arturo âBeÃatâ Villanueva 
not to be persecuted by the Spanish government for their political ideas.

* We call on the British government to immediately reject the extradition 
requests and to refuse to collaborate with the Spanish governmentâs political 
persecution of IÃaki de Juana and Arturo âBeÃatâ Villanueva.

* We support the right of IÃaki de Juana and Arturo âBeÃatâ Villanueva to 
live freely in Ireland.
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http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/dont-extradite-the-basques.html


      
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