A man commits suicide before being evicted

According to naiz, a man has commited suicide before being evicted in Doneztebe (Nafarroa south basque country). The court have informed him today that he is going to be evicted from his home. Juan Manuel Fernández (59 years old) was living in his house with his partner in that house and they had a debt of 4.200 euros.

Earlier this month, Amaia Egaña commited also suicide before being evicted: http://basqueconflict.blogspot.com.es/2012/11/capitalism-kills-in-barakaldo.html

And on Monday of this week, a family that was going to be evicted was protected by 300 people:  http://basqueconflict.blogspot.com.es/2012/11/people-protects-family-of-eviction-in.html

Different mobilizations in support of basque political prisoners

These week this having different mobilizations in support of basque political prisoners. In Iturrama (Nafarroa south basque country), have made paintings against basque prisoners disperssion, distributed information, human chains along Iturrama streets etc. 

The neighbors of Josu Beaumont, a basque political prisoners that should be free according to spanish law, have visited him in Valencia.

Besides, dozens of people have protested in front of PP headquarters in Iruña (Nafarroa south basque country) against disperssion.

Iruña

 

Burlata yesterday: Video (eviction)

Yesterday, people protected a family from been evicted, more information: http://basqueconflict.blogspot.com.es/2012/11/people-protects-family-of-eviction-in.html

The video:

"Ertzaintza" harassment in Gasteiz

Different social organizations of Gasteiz (Araba south basque country) have denounced a new case of police violence in the "Gaztetxe" (youth home) of Gasteiz. According to them, Ertzaintza (autonomic police) entered in the Gaztetxe at the night when people were cleaning it. Seven patrol cars appeared and kicked down the door.

The police frisked and beaten some of the youth. Besides, they destroyed material and requisitioned basque political prisoners photos. The "gazte asanblada" (youth assembly) have denounced that if they denounce police, police words are more important for judges. They also added that if they protest when Ertzaintza enters in the Gaztetxe, they use violence to shut up them.

People protects a family of an eviction in Burlata

Burlata today

According to naiz, more than 300 people have protected today a family of been evicted of their home in Burlata (Nafarroa south basque country). 

Pilar Martinez and Mariano Esparza were going to be evicted this morning. 300 people have protested in front of their house and protected the family. Different members of Bildu (pro-independence and leftist), NaBai (pro-basque culture) and Izquierda-Ezkerra (spanish leftists) have also supported the protest.

Pilar has a precarious job and Mariano is unemployed, they have three children. Besides, Mariano has cancer in his head and throat.

Reactions to ETA statement

Yesterday, ETA announced that they are prepared to talk with spanish and french government about victims, demilitarization and dissolution of armed structures. They also denounced that spanish and french government want to block basque peace process with repression against basque militants and political prisoners.

According to pro-independence political parties (EA, Aralar, Abertzale left and Alternatiba), the statement is very positiv to the basque peace process. They have said that if spanish and french government start a dialogue with ETA they will achieve "peace" soon. They said that the proposal of ETA wants to end the blockade imposed by governments.

For EAJ/PNV, the peace is not going to be achieved with statements. They have also said that they are prepared to talk abouth basque political prisoners, dissolution of armed structures and demilitarization.

Finally, spanish government (PP) have said that they are waiting to ETA dissolution with "no condition". 

ETA statement

From: http://www.basquepeaceprocess.info/?p=5497

ETA raises three topics to be dicussed: “The formulas and timing to bring home all Basque political prisoners and exiles, the formulas and timing of disarmament, the dissolution of armed structures and demobilization of ETA’s activists, and the steps and deadlines for the demilitarization of the Basque Country, adjusting at the end of the armed conflict, the armed forces stablished in the Basque Country. “

The statement includes other notes to consider and two goals, while stressing that full agreement on these issues “would bring a definitive end to the armed confrontation.”

ETA recalls that Madrid and Paris have “accurate knowledge” of their willingness and commitment. And after launching the proposal, the Basque organization adds that it is willing to “listen and analyze” what are the proposals of the two governments.

In the first part of the statement, to be published in Sunday’s edition of GARA, ETA shows its concern and denounces the “involution” that it percives over the last year and asseses the position of both states and some parties. In face of those positions ETA stresses that Basque society is strong enough to break the blockade. ETA also believes that there are sound reasons for the international community to continue its efforts to achieve a resolution and confirms its willingness to work and make decisions on that path.

Meliton Manzanas killed by ETA (basque history)

Meliton Manzanas

1968 was the first year that a militant of ETA was killed by spanish police and it was also the first time that a militant of ETA kills a spanish police. But in the same year, in a planned action, ETA killed an important member of spanish security forces: Meliton Manzanas

Meliton Manzanas (Donosti 1909-Irun 1968) was a spanish police that in the 2. World War colaborated with Gestapo. He was a high-ranking police officer in Gipuzkoa (south basque country) and his work was the repression of any insurgency against spanish dictatorship. Dozens of basques were tortured personally (some of them died after being tortured) by Meliton Manzanas. He was member of spanish political police in Donosti (Gipuzkoa south basque country). He was a symbol of spanish repression against insurgency (basque pro-independence, communists, anarchists etc.) in south basque country.

On 1968, ETA decided to kill him in the operation called "sagarra" (apple). When he was returning to his home, a militant of ETA shooted him in front of his door. The attack was claimed in a Belgian Television.

The spanish state, did not expect that attack and declared a state of exception in Gipuzkoa. 600 basques were arrested by spanish police and military police. Most of them were tortured in spanish headquearters. In some towns (like Hernani), spanish military police shooted against gastronomical societies etc. 

Film about Basque youth movement: "Tximeletak"

Some basque youth have made a movie about basque youth movement of last 30 years: "Tximeletak" (Butterfly in basque). Here the trailer of the movie:

Ikasle Abertzaleak demonstration attacked by spanish police

Ikasle Abertzaleak (pro-independence and socialist basque students main organization) continues with basque students struggle. They called some weeks ago new mobilizations against  the spanish education minister measures: Cuts in education, cuts in social rights ( the spanish and Nafarroa government wants to end with students strike right), repression of students mobilizations etc. Hundreds of students have supported the demonstration in Iruña (Nafarroa south basque country). When they were protesting in front of PP headquarters, spanish police have attacked them (most of them have less of 18 years old). Some of them were identified and beated by spanish police. Here the video:

Sabotage against High-speed rail in Hernani

Stop HSR!

An excavator, a bulldozer and three trucks used in the construction of High-speed rail in basque country have been sabotaged in Hernani (Gipuzkoa south basque country). According to the company, iron shavings have been introduced inside of fuel tanks. The machines can not be used again after the sabotage. Besides, some electric cables were cut.

High-speed rail is a project rejected by ecologist movement, different social organizations, farmers and Abertzale left. High-speed rail have been usually attacked by ETA in the past. Police have also repressed (using violence) the people that protests against this project.

Lebranchu: "I do not think that is going to be a new structure in north basque country"

Marylise Lebranchu

Marylise Lebranchu (decentralization french minister) said yesterday that she do not think that there is a chance to create a new institutional structure in north basque country.

On monday started the debate of decentralization in french state. Manuel Valls (french interior minister) said that "
what is built in France should not be destroyed". Lebranchu have also said that departaments (Corsica have for example departament status) are not going to dissapear. 

However, the requirement of north basque country have not been supported by french government. In north basque country, all political parties including pro-independence, UMP or PSF supports a new institutional structure for iparralde. Political parties have called people to continue in their struggle to achieve the new structure.

Departament have been a hystorical claim of north basque country pro-independence movement. They see it as the first step to achieve full independence. In fact, in Batasuna strategy firstly the south basque country provinces must be united in a unique institutional structure and iparralde in other structure as the first step to achieve independence.

Basque unions starts a new campaign

Eight basque unions (ELA, LAB, ESK, STEE-EILAS, EHNE, Hiru, CGT-LKI and CNT) colaborating with dozens of different social organizations, have announced that are going to make different actions in this month. The campaign ("Euskal Herria en marcha por el empleo digno y los derechos sociales"-"The basque country fighting for decent employment and social rights") wants to affect in government politics. They want also to show that the unity of basque unions and social organizations is strong.

The main demonstrations are going to be on 28 in Iruña (Nafarroa south basque country) and on 30 in Donosti, Bilbo and Gasteiz (Euskadi south basque country). There are going to be also different demonstrations and protests in other places of basque country. 

They have shown their reject to spanish government neoliberal politics that according to them "have impoverished workers class, destroyed work and social services". They have also denounced that only on 2011, the spanish goverment gave 80.000 millions of public money to banks.

Solidarity with Palestina

Hundreds of people have supported Palestinian people in Bilbo (bizkaia south basque country). The  new zionist offensive have killed dozens of palestinian (including children). The demonstration was called by different basque organizations: "Komite internazionalistak", "Kakitzat" etc.

Besides, there were different actions along the day: Theatres, talks etc. In the demonstration, they have denounced that spanish government sells a lot of weapons to Israel (it was the third client). Weapons that Israel uses to attack palestinian people or other people like in Lebanon some years ago.

Friends of basque political prisoners suffers accidents

Ines del Rio and Josu Bravo (basque political prisoners) friends, have suffered this weekend a car accident. Remember, that basque political prisoners are dispersed in spanish and french state. Some of them, are confined to more than 1000 km of basque country. Dispersion is a tactic used by spanish and french state to make psychological damage against prisoners and their relatives/friends. 16 persons have died in different accidents linked with disperssion.

 Besides, dispersion also costs a lot of money and time to relatives. Here a photo of one of the accidents (the war destroyed):

Images of general strike 14-N (anarchists and social organizations)

Raul Fuentes arrested by british police and Iñaki Imaz by french police

According to spanish interior minister, Raul Fuentes has been arrested today by british police in Liverpool. In the police operation, british secret services have colaborated with police. Raul Fuentes is from Bilbo (Bizkaia south basque country) and he was in hiding since 1995.

Spanish media have said that he is linked with ETA and he would have participated in some attacks in Madrid. On 1991, he was arrested in Barakaldo (Bizkaia south basque country) after the arrest of 3 militants of ETA that were trying to put a bomb under a spanish policeman car. They did not found evidences and after 4 years imprisoned (preventive detention) he achieved freedom on 1995.

Iñaki Imaz

Yesterday, Iñaki Imaz was arrested by french police in Hendaia (Lapurdi north basque country). "Audiencia Nacional" (spanish special court) ordered his arrest on 2007. According to the spanish tribunal, Iñaki Imaz was member of ETA political structure. French police also arrested him on 6 of August when he was walking with her son (a child), he denounced that french police used guns in front of his young son. After that arrest, french police set him free but they forced him to go to police headquarters weekly.

Yesterday he was arrested when he was going to go to police headquarters. After the arrest, he has been delivered to spain.

General strike (spanish trade unions)

According to different basque and spanish media, tens of thousands of people have supported different protests yesterday in south basque country. Spanish trade unions (CC.OO-UGT), basque little trade unions (ESK, Solidari etc.), anarchists trade unions (CGT and CNT), different social organizations ("Asamblea libertaria", "herri ekimena" etc.) and political parties (PSOE, IU, Amaiur, Bildu, EH Bildu, Abertzale left etc.) called yesterday to a general strike or protests. Main basque trade unions (ELA and LAB) did not support the general strike but yes some protests.

The strike in works have been minor than the last general strike (called by basque trade unions ELA/LAB and anarchists). In Nafarroa has been more successful than in Bizkaia/Gipuzkoa/Araba. Although, tens of thousands have protested in the streets. 

CC.OO and UGT called the general strike to protests against spanish government social cuts. CNT, CGT, ESK, social organizations, LAB and Abertzale left have asked a different social/economical model for south basque country. There have been less police than last general strike. There were no incidents (some molotov coctels against a company in Nafarroa and banks in Bizkaia) and there was only 1 arrested.

There were also different demonstrations and protests in Europe (Paisos Catalans, Portugal, Italy etc.).

Some photos:

Iruña (anarchists and social organizations)

Iruña (anarchists sticker)

Social organizations

Bilbo (CC.OO and UGT)

Gasteiz

General strike south basque country

Bilbo

Spanish main trade unions (CC.OO and UGT), little basque trade unions (ESK) and anarchists (CNT and CGT) have called a general strike today in south basque country (and spanish state). Besides, a lot of social colectives (like "Herri Ekimena") have called protests in south basque country. The main basque trade unions, ELA-LAB, have not supported this general strike (they called other general strike on 26 of September).

The support to general strike is stronger in Nafarroa (where spanish unionism is more present). There are going to be different demonstrations all along the day. Some political parties have supported the general strike:

Spanish political parties: IU (leftist) and PSOE

Basque political parties: Bildu, EH Bildu and Amaiur (all pro-independence and leftist)

Spanish police and local police have identified some anarchists militants near of Nafarroa Public University and in Bilbo some members of CC.OO have been also identified:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_2rrJyN_he4

I am going to be updating information along the day

MOORNING UPDATE

Iruña

According to spanish trade unions, about %40-%50  have stopped in Gipuzkoa/Araba/Bizkaia and %70 in Nafarroa.

Anarchists and social organizations have made their own demonstrations (criticizing CCOO, UGT, ELA and LAB). Almost 2.600 people have supported their demonstration in Iruña (Nafarroa south basque country)

There are no incidents or riots. There is less police in the streets that last general strike (called by basque trade unions LAB-ELA). Although anarchists and social organizations are being followed by a lot of police.

Thousands of people have supported UGT and CC.OO demonstrations in south basque country capytals.

Some photos:

Anarchists in front of a bank

Spanish police identifing people, Iruña

Solidarity with kurdish political prisoners

The Kurdish political prisoners (mainly jailed in Turkey) started two months ago a hunger strike asking for their people's rights: Right to receive education and speak in their language and the freedom of Abdullah Ocalan. 10.000 kurdish political prisoners are supporting now the hunger strike.

More information abouth kurdish-Turkey conflict: Wikipedia link abouth the conflict

Yesterday in Bilbo (Bizkaia south basque country), dozens of people supported kurdish struggle. Abertzale left have also issued a statement, here the translation:

"Since the beginning of September dozens of prisoners have progressively joint the hunger streak asking for three clear demands:

  - Right to study, communicate and legal defence in their mother tongue

  - Stop the isolation of Mr Ocalan

  - Create conditions for dialogue and negotiations.

We consider that the Turkish authorities should immediately put an end to all human right violations against Kurdish political prisoners. They should recognize the national rights of the Kurdish people and therefore respect their linguistic rights inside and outside prisons.

The position of the Turkish government goes against any democratic international standards and obstructs clearly a democratic and peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict in Kurdistan. In that sense, the isolation of Mr Ocalan has to end urgently and a real process of dialogue and negotiation has to start with the legitimate representatives of the Kurdish people.

Security measures against prisoners and violation of fundamental rights are unacceptable and they just will prolong the ongoing conflict. We call upon the EU and all international authorities to urge the Turkish state to fulfil democratic principles and respect Kurdish people rights.

We ask the Basque society to show its solidarity with the Kurdish political prisoners and the Kurdish national movement.

It is time for peace and dialogue!

Freedom for Kurdistan!

Biji Kurdistan!!"

I ask for collaboration

In blog statistics, I have seen that a lot of visits are from french state (north basque, corsican, bretons, french etc.). I do not understand french and I need help to write about "iparralde" news. If someone is interested, contact with me: basque1976@hotmail.com (send the message in basque, english or spanish please).

More reactions after Amaia's death

Amaia's death, have caused many reactions. After weekend protests, in south basque country a lot of banks have appeared with paintings ("murderers", "stop evictions" etc.) and in Agoitz (Nafarroa south basque country) a bank has been attacked with a little explosive artifact.

La "caixa" (the bank that ordered Amaia's eviction) have announced that are going to stop all their evictions until spanish government prepares a new eviction law. Some evictions have been stopped after important protests. In Agoitz, for example, more than 200 of people have achieved to stop an eviction against a family recently.

Spanish government (PP) and PSOE are preparing a new law for evictions (in spanish state, other people have also committed suicide before being evicted).

15.000 support basque political prisoners and refugees

15.000 of people have supported basque political prisoners and refugees in Baiona (Lapurdi, north basque country). They have asked the respect of basque political prisoners right to french and spanish states. Basque prisoners familiars lead the demonstration (they were carrying photos of their relatives jailed) and behind them there were basque refugees (carrying a banner where it can read "refugees in a free basque country").

Inside the demonstration where different social and political figures: Colette Capdevielle (deputy of french socialist political party PSF), Jean-Francois Lefort (member of Batasuna), Peio Etxeberri (member of AB) Laura Mintegi (leader of EH Bildu), Sabino Cuadra (deputy of basque pro-independence political party Amaiur), Bakartxo Ruiz (member of Bildu), Patxi Zabaleta (Aralar), Daniel Romestant (PCF) etc.

Several counciliors of north basque country supported also tye demonstration and main basque trade union members also appeared: Ainhoa Etxaide (LAB), Amaia Muñoa (ELA) etc.

There were people of culture world like Xabier Silveira (bertsolari), Porrotx (a popular clown of basque country) etc.

The arrest of Aurore Martin was also remembered (some people carried her photo).

Some photos:

Basque political prisoners relatives

Main square of Baiona

Final of demonstration

Ikurriña

Some Corsican flags

Protests in south basque country after Amaia's death

Thousands of people have protested in Barakaldo (bizkaia south basque country) after Amaia's death. The protest was organized by "stop desahucios" (a social colective that fights against evictions).

According to them, 8.000 people supported the demonstration in Barakaldo. There were also different protests in south basque country capytals (Iruña, Gasteiz, Donosti and Bilbo). Differents banks have appeared today with paintings ("hiltzaileak" murderers). Spanish government is going to analyze the law of evictions.

Capitalism kills in Barakaldo

Amaia Egaña (a woman of 53 years) have committed suicide in Barakaldo (Bizkaia south basque country) when she was going to be evicted of her home. When the judge appeared in her house (the bank is going to get it), she throwed herself out the window. Her husband was PSE councilor in the past and they have a son of 21 years. Different protests have been called in south basque country.

Basque trade unions (LAB and ELA) and CCOO (spanish trade union) have asked to stop people's evictions. According to LAB, Amaia's death was not an accident: "people rights have been subjected to speculators, including life". They have also denounced that "banks have been rescued with public money and their attitude have caused another death". "Besides, there are some political parties that have developed the laws that allows that situations".

CCOO have also asked to stop with the evictions and have shown their solidarity with family. ELA have denounced that banks do not have piety.

GAL kills Lasa and Zabala (basque history)

On 1983, Joxean Lasa and Joxi Zabala were kidnapped in Baiona (Lapurdi north basque country) by GAL. They were of Tolosa (Gipuzkoa south basque country) and there were refugees in iparralde.

GAL (Grupos Antiterroristas de Liberación-Antiterrorist Liberation Groups) was an organization created by spanish government and secret services. Their main objectives were killing ETA militants, north basque country civilians and Abertzale left members. So, spanish government wanted to press french government in the participation of repression against Abertzale left and attack ETA (at that time ETA was very active). GAL killed dozens of basque militants and civilians. Spanish goverment used public money to hire mercenaries for the different actions.

On 17 of October (after an attack of ETA), Mariano Martinez (a friend of Lasa and Zabala) found their car opened and empty. 

On 18 of October, four spanish police were arrested in Hendaia (Lapurdi north basque country) for trying kidnapping a basque refugee.

On January 20 of 1984, a member of GAL vindicated their assassination on spanish media.

The Guardia civil (spanish military police) tortured them in Donosti (Gipuzkoa south basque country). After being tortured, they were very weakened, so Galindo (a general of guardia civil) ordered to kill them. They were moved to Almeria (south spain), where after after being forced to dig their grave, were executed. The Guardia civil buried them in quicklime.

On 1985, their remains were found but until 1995 they were not identified. When the remains were translated to Tolosa, the Ertzaintza (basque autonomous police) attacked the funeral beating assistants:

Judgment against Pedro Jose Frances

Pedro Jose Frances

On 2011, Pedro Jose Frances places some banners on Buñuel (Nafarroa south basque country) town's hall for remembering the victims of spanish fascist rising of 1936.

On 1936, spanish fascism colaborating with ultra-catholic movement and some regionalist movements rebelled against spanish republic (formed by socialist, socialdemocrats, communists, anarchists and basque/catalan nationalists). In Nafarroa, the "rebellion" won and killed more than 3.000 people (mainly socialist, communist, basque nationalists and anarchists).

In Buñuel, 52 people were executed by spanish fascist forces. After putting the banners, the mayor of Buñuel (the mayor is member of UPN a right-wing unionist political party) denounced him. The court have said that Pedro Jose must pay a fine of 160 euros to Nafarroa government and another 281,33 euros to Buñuel's town hall.

More information about spanish civil war on basque country:

Bombing of Gernika (Nazi aviation collaborating with spanish fascism attacks a symbol of basque nationalism)

Basque children (Basque children fled from the war to other countries like UK or Soviet Union)

Bilbao's Iron Ring (The attempt to protect Bilbao)

Basque soldiers

The prison break of Ezkaba (during the war, some prisoners tried to escape and more than 200 were executed in Nafarroa)

Police impunity

Some weeks ago, I posted a trial against Nafarroa government. On 2008, during a solidary concert, foral police attacked people causing serious injures to two of them. That is the judgment (I have tried to translate the most interesting parts):

"Around 03:00 AM three vehicles of foral police bursted in the concert. Several agents left vehicles and ordered to some of the assistants to disolve the demonstration"

"After a brief dialogue with the town's mayor, foral police started the attack"

"the people throwed bottles and stones and there were insults against police agents"

"the injured persons were in the riot and the riot police attitude was correct, taking into account violent people attitude"

The witnesses said that foral police version was lie. According to them, people started throwing bottles after police attack. Nafarroa government and foral police have been acquitted again.

More demonstrations in favour of Aurore Martin

The arrest of Aurore Martin and her extradition has been very controversial in north basque country and french state. Two days ago, different councilors (Batasuna, UMP, PSF etc.) of iparralde (north basque country) tried to deliver a letter asking the freedom of Aurore in the subprefecture but french police denied access. Manuel Valls (french interior minister) have asked to stop with the "polemic".

Demo in Bordeaux

Demo in Baiona (north basque country)

Demo in Baiona (north basque country)

French police in Baiona (north basque country)

Ikasle abertzaleak continues with basque students struggle

Ikasle Abertzaleak mobilization in Iruña

Ikasle Abertzaleak, have called for more mobilizations on 22 of November in Nafarroa (south basque country). According to them, Mr Wert (minister of education in spain) wants to end with strike and assembly right of students. They have also added that the government of Nafarroa is totally submissive to spanish government.

Ikasle Abertzaleak (pro-independence and socialist) is the main basque students organization and they are very active in south basque country:

Strike in education on 11 of October (click to see the new)

Strike on 29 of May (click to see the new)

More mobilizations on 22 of May (click to see the new)

Mobilizations against cuts in education on 10 of May (click to see the new)

They are usually targeted by spanish repression: Arrests, police threats, far-right attacks, fines etc.

First images of Aurore Martin extradition

Here a short video with the first images of the Aurore Martin extradition.

Green police are "guardia civil" (spanish military police):

Protests in Iruña and "Patakon" gaztetxea

Dozens of people have supported basque political prisoners in front of PP headquarters in Iruña (Nafarroa south basque country).

All the weeks, people protest in front of Iruña PP headquarters. On thursdays and fridays there are protests in favour of basque political prisoners in all along basque country.

The trial against "Patakon gaztetxea" have started. A "gaztetxe" is a squatted and self-managed local. This kind of organization is very common in the basque country, the "gaztetxe" are usually organized by a "gazte asanblada" (youth assembly). In this assembly, people of different ideologies (pro-independence, anarchists, ecologist etc.) collaborate in the creation of a free space. The Spanish and french repression have targeted a lot of times against this kind of locals, some recent examples:

Kukutza gaztetxea evicted

Ermitatze gaztetxea evicted

Euskal Jai gaztetxea evicted

"Patakon" gaztetxea was occupied on June of this year in Bilbo (Bizkaia south basque country). From the beginning, police harassment was constant and late June the gaztetxe was evicted by Ertzaintza (Euskadi autonomous police". 24 people were acusated of different offenses. The youth have claimed that they are going to continue with their struggle and creating a new social alternative.

Some photos of eviction:

Ertzaintza in front of Patakon

Ertzaintza and local police threatening youth

Ertzaintza entering in the Patakon

People supporting Patakon

Members of Patakon youth assembly

New section on the blog

Hi blog readers!

I decided to open a new section on the blog: Basque history (repression, dirty war and armed struggle)

In this section I am going to put all the information about basque history armed struggle and spanish/french repression.

I encourage all who want to contribute to contact me: basque1976@hotmail.com

Basque exiles and solidarity with basque political prisoners, from Scotland

Basque political refugee

The collective of basque political refugee have said that they "are prepared to talk with states (french and spanish)" to continue making steps towards solution.

They have also said, that they are not going to accept an stop in the process and have shown their intention to "end with the exile forever". They support the next national demonstration in favour of basque political prisoners that have been called in Baiona (Lapurdi north basque country).

According to them, two are the challenges: "Advance in the process that is going to achieve international recognition" and "overcome the harsh consequences of the conflict". 

Beñat Atorrasagasti (borned in Lesaka Nafarroa south basque country), is a basque militant that is imprisoned in Scotland.  He was arrested on July of 2012 by scotish police. According to spanish media, he was member of ETA and helped ETA members to move between borders. On 2001, "guardia civil" (spanish military police) tried to arrest him but he escaped.

A group of solidarity have supported him in Edinburgh (scotland).

Santi Brouard (basque history)

Santi Brouard

Santi Brouard or Santiago Brouard (1919-1984) was one of the leaders of "Herri Batasuna" (a coalition of pro-independence and socialist political parties). 

He was born in Lekeitio (Bizkaia south basque country) and he studied medicine in spain (he was doctor). He specialized in pediatrics and married with Teresa Aldamiz (they had 3 children). 

He participated in the creation of first "ikastolak" (schools where children can study in basque). On 1974 he fled to iparralde (north basque country) after helping a militant of ETA who was injured in a gunfire by spanish police. In iparralde, he was related with important militants of ETA like "Argala". After Francisco Franco's death, he participated in the creation of "KAS alternative" (where most of basque movement insurgency was united) and EHAS (a revolutionary and pro-independence basque political party). 

KAS alternative (conditions to give up arms):

1. Amnesty for all Basque political prisoners.

2. Legalisation of all basque pro-independence political parties.

3. Expulsion of all spanish forces from south basque country 

4. Improvement of basic living conditions of working classes

5. Self-determination right

6. Provisional autonomy for south basque country

EHAS participated in the foundation of "Herri Batasuna" and Santi Brouard joined also the coalition. After returning from iparralde, he continued in politicy and working as pediatrician in Bilbo (bizkaia south basque country). On 1983, he was imprisoned after singing with other parliamentarians "Eusko Gudariak" (basque soldier anthem) in front of spanish king.

On 1984, when he was working in his pediatrics office, was killed by spanish mercenaries members of GAL (a armed organization created by spanish state to kill basque militants). He was killed the same day (20 of November) that Primo de Rivera and Francico Franco's death.

In protest of his death, there was a general strike in all south basque country, spanish police forces repressed the general strike and there were important riots.

A video with images of his funeral: