Signatories of the gernika agreement to European Union

The signatories of the gernika (different basque political parties, basque political prisoners, trade unions and organizations) agreement have sent to the European Union the next letter to ask for their involvement in the resolution of basque conflict.

Mr. Herman Van Rompuy
President of the European Council
BRUSSELS
Mr. José Manuel Durão Barroso
President of the European Commission
BRUSSELS
Mr. Martin Schulz
President of the European Parliament
BRUSSELS
Iruña- Pamplona, 7 December 2012

Dear Mr. President of the European Council; Dear Mr. President of the
European Commission; Dear Mr. President of the European Parliament,
We are writing to you about the recent Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the
European Union. As Basque and European citizens we are delighted, and we
congratulate you as heads of the European Union.
Naturally each citizen and organization has their own views on the specific
policies implemented by the European Union in the various fields in which it is
active; having said that, it is an undeniable fact that, in a steady trend, the
European Common Project has furthered the cause of peace and of civil and
human rights.

In this place in Europe – the Basque Country – the last political conflict within
the Union is still going on. However, recent developments have given us fresh
hope that normalization and peace are possible, and we would like you to know
that:
Firstly.- The conflict we are going through in this European enclave called the
Basque Country has causes of a political nature, and at the bottom of them is
the denial of our national rights as a People. One aspect of this political conflict
has been decades-long violent confrontation. Over the past 50 years there have
been acts of violence in both States (France, Spain) that have led to a total of
over 1400 deaths, thousands of people injured, a number of missing persons,
some 10,000 people tortured and tens of thousands of detainees. Of the latter,
there are currently about 800 people in prison, most of them serving time
hundreds or even thousands of kilometres from their places of origin. However,
in recent years steps have been taken to lead this conflict out of the
confrontation phase and into a phase of resolution.

Secondly.- The Aiete International Conference, held a year ago now, agreed on
five points. In Point One the Conference called upon ETA to publicly declare a
permanent end to armed activity. In Point Two it urged the governments of
Spain and France, if such a declaration were forthcoming, to welcome it and
agree to engage in discussions on the consequences of the armed conflict. In
response to that demand by the International Observers, ETA announced a
permanent end to armed struggle. In contrast, not only have the Governments
of Spain and France not engaged in discussions on the consequences of the
conflict, they have also acted contrary to good sense and to international
dispute-resolution standards by continuing with the arrests, torture and acts of
police brutality and by continuing to resort to emergency measures and
legislation, even ignoring the steady stream of rulings that have come from the
ECHR. Thus they have squandered the opportunity to set aside emergency
justice and repression and to move forward towards peace and resolution.
Thirdly.- The vast majority of Basque citizens are of one mind that the time has
come to peacefully settle this conflict that has caused so much suffering. Since
the European Union is a leader in peace-making – witness the award of the
Nobel Peace Prize and the Union's active participation in dispute resolution
both within and without its own territory – and since the Basque conflict is a
European conflict, both because it has affected European citizens and because
it has arisen within two member states, we, the Gernika Agreement signatories,
wish to ask of you:

1. That the European Union invite Member States France and Spain to deal
with the consequences of the Basque conflict by applying international disputeresolution
standards.

2. Should they not do so, that the European Union lead that phase of the peace
process which consists of settling the conflict, as a party involved in it.

3. That the Union call upon the States to undertake to respect human rights, to
desist from resorting to emergency legislation, and to comply with and
implement the ECHR's rulings.

Looking forward to hearing from you, we thank you in advance. Yours,
The political, trade union and social organizations who are signatories to
the Gernika Agreement

Tribute to Aitor Zabaleta

Aitor Zabaleta Kortazar, was a basque young support of "Real Sociedad" (a basque football team) who was killed on 1998 in Madrid (capytal of Spain). A group of spanish far-right and supporters of "Atlético de Madrid" killed him near of the football stadium.

That group was attacking to the supporters of "Real Sociedad". When Aitor Zabaleta saw that, he tried to protect a children. After that, he was sorrounded and one of the "ultra's" killed him with a knife.

LipDub in support of basque political prisoners and refugees

Hundreds of people have participated in a LipDub in support of basque political prisoners and refugees in Durango (Bizkaia south basque country). They have also called to the next demonstration on 12 of January in Bilbo (Bizkaia south basque country).

The demonstration of January is usually the most important mobilization of basque country. This year, more than 110.000 of people marched along Bilbo streets.

The city council of Donostia honors "all the victims"

Juan Karlos Izagirre and Martin Garitano

The city council of Donostia (Gipuzkoa south basque country) honors "all the victims" of basque conflict.

The tribute was called by "Juan Karlos Izagirre" (the mayor of the city). "Juan Karlos Izagirre" was member of Bildu (a coalition of leftist and pro-independence political parties: Abertzale left, Alternatiba and EA). The popular party rejected to be present in that tribute. According to them, Bildu believe that the people killed by ETA are okay. In the past, the members of Abertzale left not used to go to that tributes. PSOE-PSE and PP do not accept other victims (people killed or tortured by police etc.) of basque conflict.

Tomorrow there is going to be another tribute where all political parties (PSOE-PSE, PP, Bildu and PNV/EAJ) are going to be present.

Hundreds of people supports Iñigo Cabacas family

Hundreds of people have supported Iñigo Cabacas family at a recent protest. Iñigo Cabacas was killed by Ertzaintza in early 2012.

Iñigo Cabacas family and friends organized a protest to ask justice for the case. It's been eight months since his murder and no ertzaina (basque regional police) has assumed responsability.

The participants of the protest wore T-shirts with "justice now" slogan. After five minutes of silence, the basque rock music group "Jare" have presented a song in his honor.

Bomb making equipment found in France

According to naiz, three speleologists have found a "zulo" (a small hideout) in the north of Montpellier (french state). French interior minister have said that they have found bomb making equipment and different documentation.

ETA usually have different "zulos" in french and spanish state. They store in that places bomb making material, documentation, costumes etc.

November photos (Ekinklik)

Harrera

A basque youth receive a tribute after being imprisoned

"Harrera" (reception), a new basque organization for basque prisoners and refugees, has been founded recently. 

Harrera is a basque organization that helps basque political prisoners when they are released. A lot of basque political prisones have been more than 20 years in prison and they can find a lot of difficulties to accommodate in their new life. Harrera helps them looking for a job, adapt to the healthcare, to make a normal life etc.

The organization is formed by basque political ex prisoners and different social world technicals. Now, they are presenting in different towns and cities of basque country.