Vi arbejder blandt andet med..
1. Solidaritet med de Baskiske politiske fanger
2. Støtte til kampen for ytringsfrihed og kampen mod undertrykkelse
3. At støtte baskernes ret til selvstændighed
4. At følge situationen i Baskerlandet og gøre op med pressens ensidige dækning af kampen
Generel info
Vi mødes torsdage i ulige uger kl.18.00-19.00 i Solidaritetshuset, Griffenfeldsgade 41, 2200 Kbh. N. Kom og vær med!
I kan desuden også finde os på facebook eller kontakte os på mail; baskerlandsgruppen@gmail.com
Tirsdag den 22. Februar 2011
Vi er nu landet på den anden side af den Internationale Solidaritetsuge med Baskerlandet 2011. I denne forbindelse vil vi, Baskerlandsgruppen, gerne takke alle jer der har givet en hånd med under ugen. Ugen forløb, som ventet, godt og vi er især glade for at så mange nye ansigter dukkede op til arrangementerne. Vi vil desuden gerne sige et stort tak til vores kammerater fra de pårørendes forening, Exterat, for at komme til Danmark og give os et tiltrængt indblik i de baskiske politiske fangers situation.
Men hvad så nu?
Frihedskampen i Baskerlandet fortsætter og det gør vores arbejde selvfølgelig også. I den kommende periode vil vi særligt sætte fokus på og diskutere de nye politiske initiativer, der er fulgt i kølvandet på Guernica-aftalen og ETAs deklaration om permanent og generel våbenhvile, herunder bl.a. dannelsen af det nye baskiske parti, Sortu, og dets (forhåbentligt) videre virke. Vi forsøger, i denne forbindelse, på at få en repræsentant fra partiet til Danmark i marts/april 2011. Hvad mere er planlægger vi pt. en studietur til Baskerlandet i Juni 2011. Og meget andet..
Har vi fanget din interesse?
Synes du det er fedt at skrive artikler, lave film eller klistermærker? Brænder du inde med viden eller spørgsmål om Baskerlandet? Så stik hovedet ind til et af vores møder der pt. afholdes:
Hver anden torsdag (i ulige uger) kl. 18.00-19.00 i Solidaritetshuset
Og se om solidaritetsarbejde med Baskerlandet er noget for dig. Ellers kan du altid kontakte os pr mail: baskerlandsgruppen@gmail.com
Har du travlt, sidder i den anden ende af landet mv. kan du selvfølgelig også holde dig opdateret på:
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?g...
BORROKA DA BIDE BAKARRA!
STRUGGLE IS THE ONLY WAY!
Mandag den 14. Februar 2011
Her er en video Askapena har lavet på baggrund af initiativet: "Photos of Basque political prisoners to the street", hvor folk rundt om i verden fik taget billeder sammen med de Baskiske politiske fanger. København er også repræsenteret.
Se videoen på youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...
Tak til jer der gad at deltage!
Husk at der er Solidaritetsmanifestation foran den spanske ambassade senere i dag.
— Sted: Kristianiagade 21, KBH Ø.
— Tidspunkt: 14. Februar 2011, Kl. 16.30-17.30
Søndag den 13. Februar 2011
OBS!!! ÆNDRING I PROGRAM FOR SOLIDARITETSUGEN
FREDAGSCAFÉ MED OPLÆG ER FLYTTET FRA FREDAG DEN 18. FEBRUAR TIL LØRDAG DEN 19. FEBRUAR!!!
Lørdag den 19. Februar har vi fornøjelsen af at kunne byde velkommen til to af vores Baskiske kammerater fra de pårørendes organisation EXTERAT (Oversat: ”Før Baskerne Hjem”). De holder oplæg om det nye politiske projekt og kriminaliseringen af politiske aktivister i Baskerlandet. Der vil være rig mulighed for at stille spørgsmål og vi sælger øl, vand, kaffe og te til billige priser. Bagefter kan de af os der har lyst følges til Skt. Pauli Minibar, hvor vi afslutter ugen med et brag af en solidaritetsfest.
Vi ses i Soli kl.15.00!
Sted: Griffenfeldsgade 41, KBH N. Tidspunkt: 18. Februar 2011, Kl.15-18
Mandag den 7. Februar 2011
PROGRAM FOR SOLIDARITETSUGEN MED BASKERLANDET 2011
Hej alle jer der læser med derude. Her har I programmet for Solidaritetsugen der løber den 11.-19. Februar 2011. Husk at der er rejserefusion for medlemmer af IF der kommer langvejs fra.
CHAMPAGNERECEPTION FOR LANCERINGEN AF NYE T-SHIRTS Fredag den 11. Februar sparker vi ugen i gang med en champagnereception i forbindelse med lanceringen af vores nye flotte merchandise. Så kom ned i Solidaritetshuset fra kl.18.00 og start ugen med et glas bobler.
— Sted: Griffenfeldsgade 41, KBH N.
— Tidspunkt: 11. Februar 2011, Kl.18.00-20.00
SOLIDARITETSMANIFESTATION FORAN DEN SPANSKE AMBASSADE Mandag den 14. Februar holder vi ”tavs” protest foran den spanske ambassade, i sympati med de baskiske politiske fanger 16.30-17.30. Så kom og udtryk din solidaritet og vis den spanske stat, at vi ikke accepterer den undertrykkelse det baskiske folk udsættes for!
— Sted: Kristianiagade 21, KBH Ø.
— Tidspunkt: 14. Februar 2011, Kl. 16.30-17.30
FILMFREMVISNING MED OPLÆG Tirsdag den 15. Februar er der film på programmet i Solidaritetshuset. Vi ligger ud med en præsentation af filmen, der overordnet set handler om en Basker i eksil, samt et kort oplæg omkring problemstillingerne ved udlevering af politiske aktivister til Spanien. Dernæst vises der film. Der vil være mulighed for at købe øl, vand, kaffe og te.
— Sted: Griffenfeldsgade 41, KBH N.
— Tidspunkt: 15. Februar 2011, Kl.18.00-20.00
FREDAGSCAFÉ MED OPLÆG Fredag den 18. Februar har vi fornøjelsen af at kunne byde velkommen til én af vores Baskiske kammerater fra de pårørendes organisation EXTERAT (Oversat: ”Før Baskerne Hjem”). Han holder oplæg om det nye politiske projekt og kriminaliseringen af politiske aktivister i Baskerlandet. Der vil være rig mulighed for at stille spørgsmål og vi sælger øl, vand, kaffe og te til billige priser hele aftenen. Vi ses i Solidaritetshuset fra kl. 17.00!
— Sted: Griffenfeldsgade 41, KBH N.
— Tidspunkt: 18. Februar 2011, Kl.17.00-21.00
SOLIDARITETSFEST Lørdag den 19. Februar afslutter vi, på ægte baskisk manér, Solidaritetsugen med fest på Sankt Pauli Minibar. Her byder vi, til tonerne af baskisk musik, på et glas køligt kalimotxo. Det vil desuden være muligt at købe øl og kalimotxo i baren, samt baskiske lækkerier, til langt ud på natten. Vel mødt!
— Sted: Halmtorvet 54, KBK V.
— Tidspunkt: 19. Februar 2011, Kl.19.00-Den sidste går hjem
Onsdag den 2. februar 2011
Hej alle jer der læser med derude,
op til solidaritetsugen holder vi møde hver torsdag kl.18.00 i Solidaritetshuset. Næste møde er altså i morgen! Tøv ikke med at se forbi, desto flere desto bedre.
Vel mødt,
Baskerlandsgruppen
Mandag den 24. Januar 2011
Al Jazeera går i dybden med ETAs våbenhvile og dens betydning for Baskerlandets fremtid. Nedenstående video indeholder interviews med;
Bill Bond - Spaniens-korrespondent
Inaki Soto - Chefredaktør i Gara
Miguel Rozas - Nyhedschef i El Mundo
Se videoen her; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoNm...
Dette samt de mange andre initiativer for fred er dog (ganske forventeligt) den spanske regering komplet ligegyldig;
Se; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGbu...
I kan læse hele ETAs erklæring (på engelsk) her;
Link; http://www.elpais.com/elpaismedia/u...
Lørdag den 15. Januar 2011
VIGTIGT; Solidaritetsmanifestation med de politiske fanger i Baskerlandet (i dag og i morgen)
Hej alle jer der læser med derude.
I forbindelse med den International Solidaritetsuge med Baskerlandet laves en fælles manifestation. Vi opfordrer således til at man kommer ned på Blågårds Plads foran Blågårds Bibliotek;
Lørdag d. 15. januar kl.15-16 eller/og.. Søndag d. 16. januar kl. 12-13
Her bliver der taget et foto af dig der står med et billede af en politisk fange. De færdige billeder bliver dernæst sendt til en avis i Baskerlandet hvor de, sammen med billeder af aktivister fra hele verden, vil blive publiceret under solidaritetsugen. Baggrunden for aktionen er, at den spanske stat har gjort det til en terrorhandling (for Baskere) at vise solidaritet med de politiske fanger.
Hvis I ikke kan på disse tidspunkter men stadig gerne vil have taget et billede kan i skrive til os på mail: baskerlandsgruppen@gmail.com - så finder vi nogle andre tidspunkter.
Håber at se en masse af jer!
Mange hilsner,
Internationalt Forums Baskerlandsgruppe
Onsdag den 12. Januar 2011
På den nye hjemmeside Basque Peace Process, lanceret af den baskiske uafhængighedsbevægelse, kan man holde sig opdateret om fredsprocessen og den politiske situation i Baskerlandet. Dokumenter, nyheder, video, kommentarer mv. er på enge
http://www.basquepeaceprocess.info/
Basque Peace Process info is a website of the Basque Abertzale Left.
The aim of this website is to provide a reliable insight on the opinion and initiatives developed by Abertzale Left in order to overcome the ongoing political conflict. We will also pay special attention to different international initiatives promoted in relation to the peace process.
The International Community has an important role to play on the resolution of the Basque Conflict and Abertzale Left understands that it must establish direct sources for them to understand where Abertzale Left stands.
The meaning of Abertzale is strongly associated with a particular understanding of Basque nationalism as a progressive and internationalist movement involving a wide range of organisations such as political parties, unions, cultural organisations, and significant parts of the women, environment and internationalist movements who believe in the liberation of Basque Country. As republicanism has a special understanding in Irish context, abertzale could not be translated as mere nationalism without understanding this progressive role.
Abertzale Left advocates for an independent and socialist Basque Country. But our priority is to establish a democratic scenario where all political projects can be implemented accordingly to the will of the people. To reach such scenario we believe that the conflict has to be solved through democratic and peaceful means, on a multi party based dialogue, negotiation and agreement process ruled by the Mitchell principles.
Tirsdag den 11. Januar 2011
Hej alle der læser med derude,
det nye år er så småt gået i gang og det er vi i IF’s Baskerlandsgruppe også. Mere præcist er vi startet med at planlægge og arrangere den Internationale Solidaritetsuge med Baskerlandet der kører af stablen midt februar 2011. Vi vil derfor enormt gerne give dig/jer muligheden for at være en del af aktiviteterne op til og under ugen.
Hvis du har nogen idéer, inputs eller bare har lyst til at give en hånd med som aktivist, kan du stikke hovedet ind til vores gruppemøder torsdage 18.00-19.00 (lige uger) i Solidaritetshuset – Griffenfeldsgade 41, 2200 KBH N - eller kontakte os på mail; baskerlandsgruppen@gmail.com hvis ikke i har mulighed for at deltage i møderne mv. I kan selvfølgelig også holde jer opdateret på vores Facebook gruppe eller her.
Vi håber på at se en masse ny ansigter i det nye år! Mere om ugen følger snarest.
Nytårshilsner,
Baskerlandsgruppen
Tirsdag den 11. Januar 2011
ETA declares a permanent and general cease-fire which will be verifiable by the international community
Statement in castellano: http://www.gara.net/agiriak/110108_...
French: http://www.lejpb.com/paperezkoa/201...
English: http://www.gara.net/agiriak/110108_...
Video in castellano: http://www.gara.net/bideoak/110108_...
International media: http://www.euronews.net/2011/01/10/... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-eur... http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/201... http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100... http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausla... http://www.lemonde.fr/europe/articl...
Torsdag den 28. Oktober 2010: Weekly news bulletin of the Abertzale Left - Nº7, 19-25 october 2010
New raid against Basque pro-independence youths
The Spanish Interior Ministry returns to attack pro-independence youth to bolster his message that "the war against terrorism does not move an inch." The Spanish police raid led to the station to fourteen young. The youth platform GaztEHerria is leading the response and announced mobilizations.
Just the same day, Italy surrendered to Madrid Zuriñe Gogenola, Artzai Santesteban and Fermin Martinez
Article about arrests in English: http://forwhatwearetheywillbe.blogs...
23/10/2010
PSOE and PP insist on harden laws against the Abertzale left
PSOE and PP presented at the Spanish Congress of Deputies the bill which agreed in June to try to hinder the presence of the Abertzale Left in the Basque institutions.
Article about in Spanish: http://www.gara.net/paperezkoa/2010... 19/10/2010
De Klerk welcomes the ETA´s ceasefire and shows his desire to help
One of the signers of the Declaration of Brussels, the former South African president Frederik de Klerk, welcomed the ceasefire by ETA open and confirmed its willingness to work if both parties so request. His remarks on France-Info occur in a context of rumours about progress made by the international facilitators.
Article about in Spanish: http://www.gara.net/paperezkoa/2010...
24/10/2010
Prison policy as cruel as ever
The Basque Politic Prisoner of Iruñea Joseba Esparza is on hunger strike for more than 20 days to demand the end of solitary confinement which is from his arrival at the prison of Castellón-II over two months. Etxerat has been reported that prisoners Gurutz Agirresarobe and Ana Lizarraga were attacked in the prison of Soto del Real Madrid by the guards after they refused to undress.
Articles about in Spanish: http://www.gara.net/paperezkoa/2010...
http://www.gara.net/paperezkoa/2010...
20-21/10/2010
Torsdag den 21. Oktober 2010: Weekly news bulletin of the Abertzale Left - Nº6, 12-18 october 2010
Interesting and extensive interview with Arnaldo Otegi (Leader of the Left Abertzale in prison) by John Carlin for El Pais
"My position and that of the whole Abertzale left is the logical consequence of understanding that the existence and persistence of political violence in our country is based on reasons of strict political nature."
"What has characterized our position has been the insistence on the need to definitively overcome violence and political conflict through dialogue and negotiation. Our commitment was and is sincere, weapons; all weapons must disappear from the Basque political equation."
"Any threats and persecution for political reasons, any violation of rights has to disappear."
"What is known as the Basque conflict was there long before the birth of ETA. The disappearance of ETA’s violence does not mean the disappearance of the conflict between the Basque country and the state. The definitive termination of the armed struggle launched by ETA 51 years ago would terminate the armed aspect of the conflict, but won’t resolve it. We propose a simple arithmetic democratic formula for the ultimate resolution of the political conflict: to recognize the national identity of the Basque people and respect the right of Basque citizens to decide freely, peacefully and democratically their future limited only by the popular will."
"We all have reason to be suspicious of our adversaries, to distrust his actual or future intentions. But we need to move forward. Faced with this reality of multi-directional distrust we have adopted a departure position that allows us to advance: to take and develop decisions unilaterally, depositing in our people and the international community our confidence and the only guarantee of the evolution of the democratic process. "
"The field of negotiation and political agreement belongs exclusively to the political parties. ETA should reach agreements on the sphere of the conflict’s consequences, prisoners, victims, demilitarization ..."
"I think that the guarantee to overcome the serious errors committed, by all parts, in previous processes could be in our commitment to the Mitchell principles and in an adequate monitoring of the whole process by international actors that have the confidence of all parts .
"For us, the objectives in this first phase, in parallel with the progressive articulation of a proindependence space, are contained in the Statement of Gernika, which would be to reach a scene of non violence with guarantees and a progressive political normalization that would allow the process to enter a phase of dialogue and negotiation towards political agreements." "Our position towards a peaceful and democratic solution of the conflict is irreversible and does not contemplate any horizon or hypothetical circumstances that would change this position."
Article about interview: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper...
Full interview in Spanish: http://www.elpais.com/articulo/espa...
17/10/2010
Demonstration for Independence on 12th October
The figure of Simón Bolívar, the ikurriña in one hand and the banner of "independentzia" on the other, led the demonstration called by Independentistak network. The event brought together more than 5000 people in Irunea was coloured green. The colour with which the network Independentistak meant to symbolize the hope for achieving an independent Basque state.
Article about demonstration: http://forwhatwearetheywillbe.blogs...
12/10/2010
Euskal Herria Scotland together for the right to decide
In a fun and festive atmosphere, Scots and Basques were twinned in the “Unea Iritsi da” festival (the moment has arrived) organized by Nazioen Mundua (World of the Nations), claimed the right to self-determination.
Article about demonstration: http://www.eitb.com/news/life/detai...
16/10/2010
Askapena reaffirms its internationalist work
Askapena warned the "Spanish and French states, the Basque, Venezuelan, Bolivian oligarchies the Zionists and all agents of imperialism and capital, that they won’t beat us, we’ll keep working on internationalism." In the frame of the Internazionalista Eguna (internationalist day) held in both Ziortza-Bolibar and Gernika, Askapena reaffirmed again in its work of "solidarity with the people in struggle" and "internationalization of the Basque conflict."
16/10/2010
Huge Demonstration for human, civil and political rights
Two weeks ago a demonstration for a democratic peace was forbidden. Today however many thousands of people could finally go out to the streets to protest peacefully. Not for peace, democracy or self-determination but for the very basic right to hold a simple demonstration.
Article about manifestation in English
Spain arrests Basque internationalists
Spanish police has arrested seven members of the, so far legal, internationalist organization Askapena.
This is obviously another sabotage against any possible peace process and a provocation to the whole Basque Pro-independence Left. There is no question about it. The only question may be who is directing the judges (and police, as tortures are not something that judges can order) into arbitrary arrests of political nature in this delicate time.
European HR Court condemns Spain for not investigating tortures
It refers to the case of Basque citizen Mikel San Argimiro who was arrested, held incommunicado and (allegedly, most likely) tortured for five days by the Guardia Civil (militarized police corps) in 2002. The sentence condemns Spain to pay 23,000 Euro for the fault of investigating the denounce of torture. The sentence is likely to establish a precedent in the matter because Spain almost systematically does not investigate torture while in detention.
The European tribunal cannot judge the existence of not of torture, because there is no investigation but can judge that not investigating it is a serious fault.
There is a long list of similar cases involving Basques as victims. Hopefully this sentence will help to at least contain a bit the systematic impunity of police torture.
New press statement of Brian Currin
Each one of the endorsers of the Brussels Declaration has been consulted on ETA’s recent statements and direct response to the Brussels Declaration. Their plea to ETA remains the same as it was when the Brussels Declaration was issued in March this year, namely that they declare a unilateral, verifiable and permanent ceasefire.
I also wish to state that as a result of logistical difficulties in working with a large group of individuals in different parts of the world and the need to engage on the issues quickly and efficiently it has been decided, in consultation with various interested parties to establish an International Contact Group of 5 people. Details of this group, it members, mandate and role will be announced during the course of October.
Huge Demonstration for human, civil and political rights
Two weeks ago a demonstration for a democratic peace was forbidden. Today however many thousands of people could finally go out to the streets to protest peacefully. Not for peace, democracy or self-determination but for the very basic right to hold a simple demonstration.
Article about manifestation in English
Spain arrests Basque internationalists
Spanish police has arrested seven members of the, so far legal, internationalist organization Askapena.
This is obviously another sabotage against any possible peace process and a provocation to the whole Basque Pro-independence Left. There is no question about it. The only question may be who is directing the judges (and police, as tortures are not something that judges can order) into arbitrary arrests of political nature in this delicate time.
European HR Court condemns Spain for not investigating tortures
It refers to the case of Basque citizen Mikel San Argimiro who was arrested, held incommunicado and (allegedly, most likely) tortured for five days by the Guardia Civil (militarized police corps) in 2002. The sentence condemns Spain to pay 23,000 Euro for the fault of investigating the denounce of torture. The sentence is likely to establish a precedent in the matter because Spain almost systematically does not investigate torture while in detention.
The European tribunal cannot judge the existence of not of torture, because there is no investigation but can judge that not investigating it is a serious fault.
There is a long list of similar cases involving Basques as victims. Hopefully this sentence will help to at least contain a bit the systematic impunity of police torture.
New press statement of Brian Currin
Each one of the endorsers of the Brussels Declaration has been consulted on ETA’s recent statements and direct response to the Brussels Declaration. Their plea to ETA remains the same as it was when the Brussels Declaration was issued in March this year, namely that they declare a unilateral, verifiable and permanent ceasefire.
I also wish to state that as a result of logistical difficulties in working with a large group of individuals in different parts of the world and the need to engage on the issues quickly and efficiently it has been decided, in consultation with various interested parties to establish an International Contact Group of 5 people. Details of this group, it members, mandate and role will be announced during the course of October.
Torsdag den 30. September 2010: 7 MEDLEMMER AF DEN INTERNATIONALE ORGANISATION ASKAPENA ANHOLDT!
"Pressemeddelelse"
I går nat, 28. september 2010, anholdt spansk politi 7 politiske aktivister i Baskerlandet. De 7 er velkendte medlemmer af organisationen Askapena, som er en internationalistisk organisation der arbejder med solidaritet med Palæstina, Venezuela, Cuba og Kurdistan. Udover det koordinerer de også det internationale samarbejde af solidaritet med det baskiske folk (Euskal Herria Lagunak). Dette netværk af solidaritet med baskerne er bl.a. Internationalt Forum en del af.
Ved at anholde de 7 har den spanske stat igen vist at de ikke ønsker våbenhvile med baskerne. Ved enhver given lejlighed anholder de tilfældige aktivister, som ikke har gjort noget andet end at organisere sig og arbejde legalt og demokratisk for et frit og socialistisk Baskerland og for solidaritet med alle undertrykte folk.
Askapena er, modsat størstedelen af de antifascistiske og revolutionære baskiske organisationer, endnu ikke blevet terrorstemplet. På trods af dette bliver organisationen i utallige medier (og ved udelukkende at bruge kilder fra den spanske stat) fremstillet som at være en del af ETA. Ved at fremstille Askapena (og den resterende del af den baskiske venstrefløj) som en ”terrorister” prøver den spanske stat at legitimere deres forfølgelse, anholdelser og tortur af politiske aktivister. På trods af den spanske stats åbenlyse fascistiske ageren, kalder de dette demokrati.
Internationalt Forums Baskerlandsgruppe støtter de 7 fængslede og organisationen Askapena og deres kamp for et socialistisk og uafhængigt Baskerland. Vi opfordrer den spanske stat, til at stoppe deres repression og kriminalisering af den baskiske frihedskamp.
VI STØTTER ASKAPENA OG OPFORDRER DEN SPANSKE STAT TIL AT LØSLADE DE SYV AKTIVISTER ØJEBLIKKELIGT!
LÆNGE LEVE DEN INTERNATIONALE SOLIDARITET!
FRIHEDSKAMP ER IKKE TERRORISME!
Torsdag den 30. September 2010: Solidaritets hilsen til vores Baskiske kammerater i forbindelse med anholdelsen af 7 aktivister fra Askapena tirsdag den 28. september 2010
We, the Euskal Herria group of International Forum, would like to express our deepest sympathy and solidarity with the 7 arrested activists of Askapena and their families.
The continued criminalisation is part of the Spanish state’s repression against the legitimate Basque struggle for freedom. The Spanish government uses the criminalisation of any struggle (parliamentary as well as extra-parliamentary) as an excuse to legitimate their persecution, arrests and torture of political activists. The Spanish state claims to be democratic despite their obvious fascist actions. Among these the latest arrests.
Despite the recent attempts of peace negotiations, initiated by you and our comrades, the Spanish government continues the escalating Dirty War against all Basques who are organised in the fight for socialism and a free Basque country. This includes kidnappings, torture, incomunicados and murder of political activists.
The only way to fight this or any kind of imperialist and capitalist repression is to unite across borders and join forces in the struggle for a socialist and just world.
We support Askapena and the Basque people’s struggle for an independent and socialist Basque country.
Release all Basque political prisoners NOW!
Stop the criminalisation of the Basque struggle for freedom!
Strengthen the International solidarity!
BORROKA DA BIDE BAKARRA!
Torsdag den 30. september 2010: Askapena’s udtalelse
Today, September 28. at dawn Spanish police carried out a raid against the Askapena (Basque Internationalist organization). We in that organisation wish to say that:
1. We want to denounce the kidnapping of seven internationalist activists by the Spanish government’s repressive apparatus. We declare that the intention of this operation is to criminalise the solidarity between peoples. Last years, the Spanish mass-media focused on Askapena with biased reporting in the interests of the empire, and now come the arrests.
2. First of all, we want to express our solidarity with the arrested comrades and with their families. And, also, express our worry about the kind of treatment that they may suffer within the incommunicado regime.
3. The aforementioned operation is nothing more than an attack against the process that we are living with now in the Basque Country. The Spanish government knows only the ways of oppression; instead of offering a political and democratic way forward,it wants to block the way the Basque people have opened. In that regard, every implication and the existing international solidarity has become a problem for them, and they want to cut it off.
4. We call to the Basque Country to express solidarity with the arrested people and with Askapena, and to take part in the protest demonstrations that are to be organised.
5. We call, also, on the countries in struggle and the on the Friends of the Basque Country (Euskal Herriaren Lagunak) network to denounce the totalitarianism of the Spanish government, and to show solidarity with the Basque Country, especially with Askapena, so that the rights of this people may be respected.
Freedom for the prisoners!
Long live an internationalist Basque Country!
Fredag den 24. september 2010: Weekly news bulletin of the Abertzale Left - Nº2, 15-21 September 2010
Euskadi Ta Askatasuna´s attitude and commitment
Brussels Declaration made a specific request to our organization and without ignoring our responsibility, we want to give a direct answer:
1. The conflict amongst the Basque Country and Spain and France, is based on deep political reasons. Therefore, to overcome the conflict, beyond partial steps, we need a comprehensive proposal that will gather the roots of the conflict and untie the knots.
2. If the conflict is to be overcome, a durable solution will be needed inevitably, this solution has to be built on multilateral commitments and developed through dialogue and negotiation.
3. Taking into consideration the commitment you have shown for the resolution of the conflict, ETA shows its willingness to analyse together the necessary steps for a the democratic solution, including the commitments to be taken by ETA. Knowing that the key for the resolution is in the Basque Country, it is very important the contribution that the international community can do. So, once again we call upon the international community, actors and institutions to take part in encouraging and creating a democratic process that would find a lasting, just and democratic solution to the political conflict that has existed for centuries.
2010/09/19 Full communicate, Spanish version: http://www.elperiodico.com/es/notic...
Interview with Rufi Etxeberria (Abertzale Left’s leader)
In the Irish times
“This truce, unlike its predecessors, is unilateral and unconditional, and is not the outcome of any prior agreement with the government or political parties. The ceasefire provides an essential context for dialogue and negotiation towards the resolution of the conflict”.
Etxeberria insists that this new strategy, developed through rank-and-file assemblies in every town and village in the Basque Country, involves an:
“irreversible commitment to exclusively peaceful and democratic methods”.
“Eta has created great expectations in Basque society with this ceasefire, and that nobody has the right to rob the hope of peace and democracy from Basque society”.
“We want to hear the government recognise the national rights of the Basque Country, its right to self-determination, we want to hear that it will respect what ever the majority of the Basques may decide democratically.”
“The Abertzale Left is committed to the democratic process and will not depart from this course. Our mandate and commitment is unequivocal and sovereign.”
2010/09/18 Full interview in the Irish times: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper...
Friendship’s Declaration
We want to welcome very warmly the decision of ETA announcing the indefinite cessation of armed actions. It is important to note the unilateral and unconditional nature of this cessation. In order to create a peaceful and democratic permanent scenario in the Basque Country, we ask for special commitment to:
1. Spanish and French governments to respect civil, political and human rights for all Basque citizens without exception. The commitment of Abertzale Left to exclusively peaceful, political and democratic means and towards the Mitchell Principles as guidelines for multiparty talks necessarily demands the unbanning of this political movement.
2. All Basque political and social actors to get involved in an inclusive peace process that being base on dialogue and negotiation would find necessary agreements on the resolution of the Basque conflict.
3. We ask the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the European Council to get involved in the process and promote it in order to make it a success. A process that should guarantee the right of the Basques to decide their future freely.
4. Taking into account the Brussels Declaration, we ask international community to respond constructively helping on the creation of a peaceful and democratic scenario in the Basque Country.
2010/09/16 Full declaration: http://www.gara.net/agiriak/2010091...
Sinn Féin in the Basque Country
Sinn Féin senior members Alex Maskey and Bairbre de Brún held friday a press conference in Bilbao with Basque Abertzale left. They encouraged all parties to grasp the opportunity that is now available. They have spent some days in the Basque Country sharing their experience on conflict resolution with different actors.
2010/10/17 Video-declaration of Sinn Fein’s members: http://www.ezkerabertzalea.info/ira...
Roelf Meyer, negotiator in the South African’s peace procces
“When all the parties in conflict start dialogue it has to be in order to find a solution to the consequences of the conflict. That is the message from South Africa. Dialogue is the best way out.”
“Solution is in dialogue, and I think that the cease fire declared by ETA has increased possibilities.”
“If the parties confront their responsibilities and if they really want to find a solution, victory has to be for both sides. If only one party wins and the other has to give up on everything, the conflict will continue to exist.”
2010/09/18
Interview original in Basque:
http://paperekoa.berria.info/euskal...
Fredag den 24. september 2010: IF’s Baskerlandsgruppe anbefaler
Interview with Dr. Linstroth, political conflicts mediator, where he criticises Spanish state policy with the Basques
Link: http://www.ia-forum.org/Content/Vie...
The news in the Spanish media: http://www.europapress.es/nacional/...
Arrangement; Baskisk Take Over på Støberiet!
Fredag den 21. maj holder IFs Baskerlandsgruppe "Pintxos aften" på Støberiet fra kl.19.00 (selve fredagsbaren starter kl. 17.00)
Til arrangementet vil der bl.a. være et kort oplæg om den nuværende situation i Baskerlandet, foto-udstilling i rygelokalet, og fremvisning af dokumentar-filmen ’Itsasoaren Alaba’. Til de sultne har vi forberedt Pintxos (Baskernes svar på tapas) til en flad 10’er, som kan skylles ned med forfriskende glas kalimotxo (den baskiske national-drik - består af rødvin og cola). Alt dette finder sted til tonerne af lækkert baskisk musik.
Så tag en ven, nabo, hund, eller bedstemor under armen, og få udvidet din politiske såvel som kulinariske horisont!
Vi ses den 21. maj!
Billig Bar & rygerum. HAPPY HOUR: 2 x Fadøl 25 kr. (0,4 l) 18.00-21.00 Shots 15 kr,- hele aftenen
Søndag den 18. April 2010: Udtalelse om de nyelige anholdelser
Nye anholdelser af venstrefløjen viser den spanske stats manglende vilje til fredsproces.
I onsdags foretog det spanske politi ni arrestationer af folk med tilknytning til den baskiske venstrefløj, heriblandt tre advokater. Begrundelserne for anholdelserne har, som altid lydt på tilknytning til ETA. Men i realiteten handler det om, at de ni har tilknytning til den baskiske uafhængige venstrefløj.
Efter en samlet baskisk venstrefløj i midten af februar fremlagde et fredsforslag, har den spanske stat reageret med en intensivering af "den beskidte krig" (dirty war). Hårde domme og en yderligere kriminalisering af alle som er eller udtrykker sympati for den baskiske venstrefløj, har vist at den spanske stat under ingen omstændigheder har tænkt sig at indgå i politiske forhandlinger.
At anholde advokater for at udføre deres arbejde (alene på grund af deres politiske holdning) viser hvordan den spanske stat endnu ikke har sluppet de fascistiske strukturer, som blev dannet under Franco. I Internationalt Forums Baskerlandsgruppe finder vi det uacceptabelt at den spanske stat får lov til at slippe afsted med denne ekstreme undertrykkelse af folk, som alene er skyldige i at have en bestemt politisk holdning. Disse anholdelser (blandt mange andre anholdelser) viser at den spanske retsstat er under forfald.
Vi opfordrer derfor alle på den internationale venstrefløj såvel som menneskerettighedsorganisationer, EU-institutioner og lande til at reagere på den spanske stats konstante brud på retssikkerhed og menneskerettigheder. Vi kræver de ni anholdte øjeblikkeligt løsladt og vi kræver løsladelsen af alle de ca. 900 politiske fanger som sidder rundt omkring i spanske og franske fængsler.
Løslad alle de baskiske politiske fanger NU!
Længe leve den internationale solidaritet!
Onsdag den 14. april 2010: 10 anholdt pga. formodet tilknytning til ETA
Endnu en gang har den spanske stat foretaget arrestationer, med henblik på at passivisere (læs: kriminalisere alt og alle der ønsker et socialistisk og frit baskerland!!!) den baskiske venstrefløj. Ikke en gang advokater kan se sig sikre...
The Spanish Civil Guard made nine arrests on Wednesday in various locations across the Basque Country. All nine detainees, a number of them lawyers who frequently work on behalf of the Basque nationalist leftwing, stand accused of belonging to or working for ETA, anti-terrorist sources have informed.
Two arrests were made in Hernani on solicitors Jon Enparantza and Iker Sarriegi, while in Bilbao Arantza Zulueta, also a lawyer, and Erramun Landa were detained.
A further five people were arrested in towns around Biscay and Gipuzkoa, including nationalist union LAB member, José Luis Gallastegi, who was detained in Gernika; ex-prisoner Naia Zuriarrain in Bilbao, Saioa Agirre in Sopelana and Juan Mari Jauregi Zalakain and Asier Etxabe Azkue in Donostia-San Sebastián.
Suspected ETA-member 58-year-old José Domingo Aizpurua, known as "Pitxas" was the tenth person detained in Usurbil. "Pitxas" was previously found guilty in a French court of being the principal member of a wing of ETA known as "Halboka", responsible for taking charge of imprisoned members.
The detentions were ordered by National High Court judge Fernando Grande-Marlaska and are linked with papers seized in France during the arrest of the ex-’number one’ of ETA, Javier López Peña (known as Thierry), which also led to the rest of nationalist solicitor Joseba Agudo Mancisidor.
All nine people arrested in Wednesday’s operation stand accused of belonging to or working with the Basque armed group ETA. Among other charges, the court accuses the nine detainees of working as messengers for ETA as well as assisting members of the group to escape arrest.
The operation remains open and armed police are currently searching the offices in Bilbao and Hernani of detained lawyers Jon Enparantza Iker Sarriegi and Arantza Zulueta.
A number of those detained are Basque nationalist lawyers Arantza Zulueta is a key figure among the lawyer who work for the nationalist leftwing. Three weeks ago she appeared on behalf of deceased former ETA prisoner Jon Anza, who died in France, to question the circumstances of his death.
On 2nd March this year, the High Court cleared Enparantza of the charge of inciting terrorism of which he stood accused since his participation in an act of homage to ETA prisoner José María Sagardui back in 2005. During the same trial, the court sentenced ex-Batasuna spokesman Arnaldo Otegi to two years in prison.
Naia Zuriarrain was released from jail on April 5th 2008 and expelled from France on the same day after having served six years for maintaining links with ETA.
Onsdag den 14. marts 2010: Domsfældelsen i Egunkaria-sagen
Vi i IF’s Baskerlandsgruppe, er glade for at folkene bag Egunkaria er blevet frifundet - dog er intet sikkert endnu! Det er interessant at en avis der ingenlunde er progressiv, kan anklages for at stå i forbindelse til ETA. Dette er et tydeligt bevis på den spanske stats overdrevne magtmisbrug (læs :kriminalisering af alt der muligvis kunne være systemkritisk). IF støtter den baskiske venstrefløj, og kampen for selvstændighed!
The Spanish National Criminal Court has acquitted the five defendants in the Egunkaria case
Monday, 12 April 2010
The Spanish National Criminal Court has acquitted the five defendants in the closing down case of Egunkaria daily newspaper –Joan Mari Torrealdai, Iñaki Uria, Txema Auzmendi, Martxelo Otamendi and Xabier Oleaga–, arguing that there is no proof against them. According to the verdict, the defendants did not commit any crime and they had not had any links with the armed organisation ETA. Besides, the Court concluded that the decision to close the newspaper down was an infringement of the Spanish Constitution and that other measures could have been taken in order to preserve the right to freedom of speech. Egunkaria was closed down by the Spanish Police in 2003.
On the other hand, in connection with the torture complaints made by the defendants, the Spanish Court said that the defendants´ testimonies and the reports written by the doctors of the Court are compatible. Nevertheless, it added the following: “During the incommunicado period, there was insufficient and effective control of the incommunicado conditions”. The Court returned the verdict today, at 12.50 p.m.
Two associations representing the Private Prosecution –Dignity and Justice and the Association of Victims of Terrorism (AVT) – had asked for prison sentences of 12-14 years, and a 15-year-ban on holding public office or other position, as well as a ban on standing in political elections, for each of the defendants, considering that they had been linked with ETA. On the contrary, the Public Prosecutor, Miguel Ángel Carballo, and the defence team requested the acquittal of all the defendants. In the end, the panel of judges did not find any proof against them. The panel was formed by the judges Javier Gomez Bermudez, Ramon Saez Valcarcel and Manuela Fernandez.
The defendants will be expressing their opinion about the verdict tomorrow, at a press conference called in Andoain (Gipuzkoa), in the Martin Ugalde Culture Park, starting at 11.30 a.m.
However, today’s verdict is not the end the Egunkaria Case. On the one hand, the associations Dignity and Justice and AVT can appeal against the verdict to the Spanish Supreme Court. On the other hand, the financial court case of Egunkaria is still open and eight people –including former members of the Board of Directors and members of staff– are awaiting trial.
List of the acquitted defendants and their former positions:
Joan Mari Torrealdai: Chairman of Egunkaria’s Board of Directors. Txema Auzmendi: Secretary of the Egunkaria Board of Directors. Iñaki Uria: Chief Executive of Egunkaria. Martxelo Otamendi: Editor-in-chief of Egunkaria . Xabier Oleaga: Former deputy editor-in-chief of Egunkaria.
NYHED; Baskerlandsgruppen er nu på Facebook! Besøg os på:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?g...
Tirsdag den 16. marts 2010: Udtalelse IFs styrelse
Situationen i Baskerlandet er presset. Venstrefløjen udsættes for en konstant repression fra den spanske stat, herunder kriminalisering, fængslinger, kidnapning og tortur. På trods heraf er den uafhængige venstrefløj vokset markant igennem de seneste år. Den spanske stats reaktion på det baskiske folks støtte til et uafhængigt Baskerland er, at kriminalisere samtlige politiske initiativer der ytrer sig om et socialistisk og selvstændigt Baskerland. I løbet af det sidste årti er den baskiske venstrefløj, blevet forfulgt af de spanske myndigheder, pga. påstande om dennes forbindelser til ETA. En lang række venstrefløjspartier, ungdomsorganisationer og aviser er siden 2003 blevet forfulgt, forbudt og opløst af de spanske myndigheder. Manglen på eksplicit afstandtagen fra ETA’s væbnede strategi har været nok til at udløse forbudspolitikken. Den baskiske venstrefløj (hvori flere forbudte partier, bl.a. Batasuna, deltog) vedtog på en konference i weekenden 14.-15. februar 2010 en strategi, hvori den afstår brugen af vold. I resolutionen forpligtede partierne sig til udelukkende at benytte sig af politiske og demokratiske midler i opnåelsen af deres politiske mål. Overordnet set er målet at opnå en situation, hvor det baskiske folk frit, fredeligt og demokratisk får mulighed for selv at beslutte deres fremtid. Ikke nok med at det er en samlet baskisk venstrefløj som tilsluttede sig resolutionen, udsendte ETA, før årsskiftet, et kommuniké hvori de bakker op om politikken. Det skal dog understreges, at en forudsætning for at gennemføre ”fredsaftalen” er at den spanske (og franske) stat stopper deres aggressioner imod og kriminalisering af den baskiske venstrefløj.
Den spanske stats svar på resolutionen har været, i samarbejde med den franske stat, at anholde 3 formodede medlemmer af ETA. Derudover er lederen af Batasuna, Arnaldo Otegi, blevet idømt 2 års fængsel, samt 16 års udelukkelse fra alle politiske og offentlige embeder. Særdomstolen, Audiencia Nacional, dømte Otegi for i en tale at have sammenlignet ETA-aktivisten Joxe Mari Sagardui med Nelson Mandela. Otegi havde i sin tale benytte sig af udtryk ”som uden tvivl udgjorde forbrydelsen at hylde terrorisme”. Denne absurde dom viser med tydelighed, at de spanske myndigheder/den spanske stat højst sandsynligt ikke er villige til at indgå en fredsaftale.
Internationalt Forum støtter den samlede baskiske venstrefløjs beslutning om at kæmpe med politiske midler, og deres kamp for et socialistisk og uafhængigt Baskerland, og i deres ønske om selv at kunne vælge deres fremtid. Vi opfordrer den spanske (og franske) stat, til at stoppe deres repression og kriminalisering af den baskiske frihedskamp.
VI STØTTER DEN BASKISKE VENSTREFLØJ!
LÆNGE LEVE DEN INTERNATIONALE SOLIDARITET!
FRIHEDSKAMP ER IKKE TERRORISME!
Fredag den 12. marts 2010: Udmelding omkring Jon Anza
Den 12. marts 2010 blev det bekræftet, at Jon Anzas lig er fundet i den franske by Toulouse. Vi i Baskerlandet har hele tiden spurgt “Hvor er Jon?” - nu kender vi endelig sandheden. Nu er spørgsmålet hvorvidt det er den spanske stat og dens politi, der står bag mordet!?
Imod statsterrorisme!
Vi kræver sandheden!
http://www.eitb.com/news/politics/d...
http://www.gara.net/azkenak/03/1878...
Onsdag den 25. november 2010: Pressemeddelse
34 politiske aktive i kampen for et selvstændigt og socialistisk Baskerland anholdt.
Tirsdag d. 24. november, besluttede det spanske, fascistiske retsvæsen at anholde 34 medlemmer af den baskiske ungdomsorganisation Segi.
Segi er en revolutionær, feministisk, baskisk og internationalistisk ungdomsorganisation, som kæmper for et socialistisk og selvstændigt Baskerland (Euskal Herria).
Segi er, som størstedelen af de antifascistiske og revolutionære baskiske organisationer, blevet terrorstemplet på trods af at de har arbejdet med åbne og demokratiske strukturer. Terrorstemplingen er en del af den spanske stats repression af den baskiske legitime frihedskamp. Den spanske regering bruger kriminaliseringen af enhver form for kamp for selvstændighed (parlamentarisk såvel som udenomsparlamentarisk) til at legitimere deres forfølgelse, anholdelser og tortur af politiske aktivister. På trods af den spanske stats åbenlyse fascistiske ageren, kalder de dette demokrati.
Igennem det sidste halve år har den spanske regering intensiveret den såkaldte ”beskidte krig” (The Dirty War) imod alle baskere, som organiserer sig socialistisk og for et frit Baskerland. Dette inkluderer kidnapninger, tortur, isolationsfængsling og mord på politiske aktivister. Derudover har politiet angrebet og slået hårdt ned på enhver form for ytring af solidaritet med de ca. 775 baskiske politiske fanger, som sidder fængslet overalt i både den franske og spanske stat.
Vi i Internationalt Forum støtter Segi og det baskiske folks kamp for et selvstændigt og socialistisk Baskerland.
Løslad alle baskiske politiske fanger NU!
Stop kriminaliseringen af den baskiske frihedskamp!
Styrk den internationale solidaritet!
BORROKA DA BIDE BAKARRA! DEN ENESTE VEJ ER KAMPEN!
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