Batasuna gets go-ahead for independence march

7 August 2006

VITORIA – The political wing of the terrorist organisation ETA has won the green light for a demonstration in San Sebastian on Sunday.

Batasuna protests are normally banned since the group has been classed as illegal by Spanish courts.

However, on Monday, the Basque country’s regional government announced it would allow the Batasuna-backed protest to go ahead.

In a statement, the department of the interior said the right to demonstrate was “a fundamental right”.

It said that an individual who had not been banned from protesting had informed the department of the planned protest.

On Saturday, Pernando Barrena, Batasuna’s leader, followed up with a public announcement of the event. He said its slogan would be: “Euskal Herria [the Basque Country]. Self-determination’.

The granting of the permission to hold the protest takes place within the context of the peace process between the government and ETA.

The Basque country’s regional government warned in its statement that the protest could still be cancelled if the march was used to “extol” terrorism.

It said the march should not include placards or slogans which amount to “a threat or intimidation of institutions, political parties or organisations, or people who represent them”.

Nor can organisations or parties which are illegal – which would seem to mean members of Batasuna – take part in the protest.

The regional government’s authorisation has been passed to the National Court in Madrid and could still be overturned by a judge.

The ruling socialist party said it would respect the final decision made by the judge.

However, the conservative PP party criticised the decision to let the march go ahead, stating it should be banned in the same way that other Batasuna-backed marches are normally outlawed.

[Copyright EFE with Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news