The Celtic League has expressed concern to the Spanish government about plans to ban two Basque political parties.

Celtic League General Secretary, Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, has said that peaceful progress to resolve the conflict between Spain and the Basques will be frustrated if a policy of denying people the right to political expression of their choice is pursued (see below):

"Dear Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero

Banning of ANV and EHAK political parties

The Celtic League condemns the imminent ban of the Basque Nationalist Action (ANV) and Communist Party of the Basque Lands (EHAK) political parties.

As we can see from our own experience in the North of Ireland, peace is not possible if people and organisations are excluded from participating in the political process. In banning the ANV and EHAK the Spanish Judiciary and Government are denying the members and voters of these parties an expressive democratic outlet.

Moreover both ANV and EHAK political parties currently have representatives in the Basque political institutions and have a wide support base. Banning these parties is to effectively say to their voters and supporters that their political viewpoints are not valid or appreciated under Spanish law. To do this just over a month before the Spanish elections, smacks of political manipulation and is a travesty for EU democracy.

If banning 'disagreeable' political parties is a policy of the Spanish state, then why hasn't the pro Francoist Falange party been ostracized in the same way?

We sincerely hope that an alternative can be found to the banning of these Basque parties and that a more civil, pro-democratic solution is forthcoming.

Yours sincerely

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot General Secretary Celtic League

cc. Juan José Ibarretxe Markuartu Basque president"

Note:

ANV - Founded in 1930, the ANV are one of the oldest nationalist political parties and was the first Basque political Party to stand on a socialist platform.

(voir le site)

EHAK - Euskal Herrialdeetako Alderdi Komunista (EHAK) was legally registered in 2002.

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

05/02/08

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