Spain is due to give evidence to the United Nations Human Rights Committee on October 20/21 to respond to concerns over its failure to meet obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Specific concerns to be raised will include alleged "numerous violations of the freedom of expression, on grounds of fear of terrorism" and the Spanish delegation will be asked "to what extent can the State party justify violations of the freedom of opinion and expression in the Basque Country?"(Article 19 of the Covenant).

The Celtic League have frequently highlighted Spanish denial of freedom of expression in the Basque country, including efforts by the Spanish State to curtail any media activity which is sympathetic to the Basque independence movement.

In addition Spain will be asked to:

"indicate whether investigations into complaints of ill-treatment and torture are carried out in accordance with the Principles on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 55/89; and, in particular, what transparent and equitable procedures have been established by the State party to make it possible to conduct investigations into complaints of ill-treatment and torture involving the security forces and to permit those responsible for such inquiries to investigate complaints of ill-treatment and torture in complete independence."(Articles 6 and 7 of the Covenant).

Spain has in the past been criticised by International human rights NGOs and also by the Council of Europe CPT over ill-treatment and torture of detainees.

The HRC will also focus on the treatment of minority groups such as the Roma. The Committee will point out that, according to information it has received, the Roma (Gitano) population, (and others - particularly immigrants) are frequently the victims of discriminatory attitudes, and of ill-treatment and violence on the part of the police. Spain will be pressed to indicate what steps have been taken, or are planned, to address the problem (Article 26 of the Covenant). Sadly discrimination against the Roma people is a growing and worrying phenomena across Europe.

Finally, Spain will also be pressed to indicate what steps it has taken to adopt a sufficiently appropriate legal framework and suitable policies for the promotion of the culture, traditions and languages of minorities in its territory (Article 27 of the Covenant).

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League 13/09/08

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