THE EU must be prepared to act over an increasing desire for self-determination in Catalonia, according to a former Scottish MP who was an international observer during the October 1 independence referendum.
But Dr Paul Monaghan said he had no idea how the current EU leadership would go about it.
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The SNP politician was one of an international team of observers at the poll and compiled a report on what they witnessed, including “a grotesque and unsettling display of violence” by Spain’s Civil Guard and National Police at one polling station.
He noted in their report: “Indeed, the level of force used was so grossly excessive that members of the delegation considered that similar conduct by police officers in Scotland would undoubtedly have given rise to immediate allegations of criminal behaviour against the officers involved.”
Speaking exclusively to The National, Monaghan said the Spanish Government had badly managed the issue of Catalan independence.
“I think the Catalan people have a very strong case to exercise their right to self-determination,” he said.
“I don’t think Spain has come up with any reason why they cannot self-determine their own future and I think that as things progress we will see the Catalan people grow in strength, in number and increasingly the EU will come under pressure to recognise the desire for self-determination and will have to act upon it.
“How the current leaders of the EU choose to do that remains to be seen, but I’m certain that they will have to act.”
Monaghan said Finland was playing a prominent role in the “debacle”, with several members of the Finnish parliament being openly critical of the Madrid government.
He said Scotland’s role was also being watched with interest: “In the near future Europe’s eyes will be focussed on what the Scottish courts decide to do with Clara Ponsati.
“I think the Spanish constitution and the actions of the Spanish Government and authorities, particularly the police forces in Spain – the national forces – will be considered and a light shone on the extent to which there is a separation of powers between the government and the judiciary system.
“But I think we can rely on the Scottish courts to be objective and impartial and look forward to a full hearing with all the facts being put on the table.
“I think that will highlight some of the breaches of the Spanish Government in terms of EU treaties and possibly the human rights of those they’ve incarcerated as political prisoners.”
Monaghan added that the fact Portugal’s parliament had questioned the role of the EU and suggested that a political solution had to be encouraged was a significant move, as was the German’s court’s dismissal of Spain’s charge of rebellion against ousted president Carles Puigdemont, which cast doubt on the role of Spain’s judiciary.
His remarks came as Puigdemont left Germany’s Neumünster prison after a court in Schleswig-Holstein released him on €75,000 (£65,000) bail.
“I always trusted in a European democracy based on the will of the people, separation of powers, peace and human rights,” he told waiting media outside the jail.
“This kind of democracy is at risk in Spain.”
The 55-year-old walked out of the prison in northern Germany almost two weeks after he was detained on route to his exile in Belgium from Finland.
He thanked supporters “all around the world” for their message of solidarity during his time in jail.
Catalonia’s most prominent independence leader had spent 12 nights in jail on a European Arrest Warrant issued by Spain.
He is accused of rebellion and misuse of public funds in organising the referendum.
Madrid is seeking his extradition, but German judges rejected the charges of rebellion – similar to the German crime of high treason – because there was no violence involved.
Speaking outside the prison, Puigdemont said Catalan leaders had demanded dialogue for six years but had “only received a violent and repressive response”, and added: “Now, seeing the fall of that response, it’s time to do politics.
“I ask for the immediate release of all my colleagues who continue to be held in Spanish prisons.
“It’s a shame for Europe to have political prisoners.”
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