Letters: There have been many dark days for Spanish democracy

Distinguished colleagues,

We also are academics working in fields which range from law to history, sciences and communication. We have read your letter to the editor of The National (World academics call for Catalonia prisoners’ release, April 20) and want to clarify some of the misconceptions that have been stated.

You speak of the darkest days of Spanish democracy since 1978, but we would expect from our learned colleagues not to forget the days of the end of February 1981, when a small section of the army took it upon themselves to end the short-lived democracy. Those two ominous days were ended when the Spanish King rejected the coup and the rebellious were jailed.

Or you would surely remember the dark days of the Spanish democracy when the terrorists of ETA, GAL, GRAPO or even the Catalonian terrorist group Terra Lliure attacked innocent people. You could also have mentioned as the dark period of the Spanish democracy the events of last September in Catalonia, when the regional government attempted to override the will of its people to separate the region from the rest of Spain.

Instead, you prefer to focus on what you yourselves, experts in your fields, call political prisoners. Political prisoners exist when people are prosecuted for their ideas. There have been political prisoners in all of your countries at some point in history, so you are familiar with the concept. When a politician breaches the law, goes against the orders of the court, overrides the legal advice of independent legal counselors, blatantly and illegally overturns its own parliamentary law and constitutional statue overnight, thoroughly ignores its parliamentary opposition (representing over 50 per cent of the electorate) and literally obliterates its parliamentary rights, acts against the wishes of the voters and so on, then the politician is not a political prisoner, but a politician who is a prisoner.

Moreover, when the said politician is in preventative prison because the rest of the prosecuted politicians have decided to escape the action in justice, then the politician is not a political prisoner: he or she is merely a politician in prison for his/her alleged crimes awaiting trial. Surely you are also acquainted with this concept. We would not expect serious academics to think that when a possible criminal is a politician, then he or she should be allowed to escape justice and avoid trial altogether. The courts of your respective countries would treat politicians, even academics turned politicians, with the same consideration for the rule of law.

The European Union has considered on numerous occasions the question of Catalonia. And it has done so in the only possible fair way: by expecting that the courts of justice will follow the right procedures and reminding everyone that opposition is possible, within the democratic channels.

The idea that those of us who favour the 1978 constitution (one of the most liberal constitutions in Europe) are heirs to “francoism” is, to be frank, most offensive, and we reject it in the strongest terms.

Finally, dear colleagues, you should ask yourselves one thing: why is it that those of us who opposed separatism – as we do – must endure attacks on our presumed lack of democratic credentials?

Yours truly (in chronological order):
Members of Foro de Profesores:

1. Alfonso Valero (Principal Lecturer of Law at Nottingham Trent University)
2. José A. Olmeda (Professor of Political Science at UNED University)
3. Miguel Ángel Quintana Paz (Senior lecturer in of moral and social philosophy at Universidad Europea Miguel de Cervantes)
4. Ferran Brunet (Senior Lecturer at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)
5. Roberto Muñoz Bolaños (lecturer of Military History at the Instituto Universitario General Gutiérrez Mellado of the UNED University)
6. Antonio Hermosa Andújar (Senior lecturer in Aesthetics and History Philosophy at the University of Seville)
7. Camilo José Cela Conde (Research Scholar, University of California Irvine)
8. Isabel Fernández Alonso (Senior Lecturer in Communication at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)
9. Federico A. Castillo Blanco (Professor of Public Law at University of Granada)
10. Manuel Fernández Salmerón (Senior Lecturer of Public Law at University of Murcia)
11. Daniel Sarmiento Ramírez-Escudero (Senior Lecturer of Public law at University Complutense of Madrid)
12. Araceli Mangas Martín (Professor of Internacional Public Law at University Complutense of Madrid)
13. Jose Javier Olivas Osuna (Associate at the Conflict and Civil Society Unit, LSE)
14. Ignacio Fernández Sarasola (Senior Lecturer of Constitucional Law at University of Oviedo)
15. Juan Antonio García Amado (Professor of Philosophy of law at the University of León)
16. Fernando Jiménez Sánchez (senior lecturer of political science at the University of Murcia and expert for GRECO, Council of Europe)
17. Rafael Arenas (Professor of Private International Law at the University Autónoma of Barcelona)
18. Roberto Villa García (Senior Lecturer of Political History at Rey Juan Carlos University)
19. Jesús G. Maestro (Senior lecturer of Theory of the Literature and Comparative literature at University of Vigo)
20. Carmen González Enríquez (Professor of Polítical Sciences at UNED University)
21. Carlos Martínez Gorriarán (Senior Lecturer of Philosophy at the University of UPV/EHU)
22. Roberto Colom (Professor of Physiology at the University Autónoma of Madrid)
23. Javier Fernández Sebastián (Professor of History of Political Thought at the University of UPV/EHU)
24. Francisco J. Bastida Freijedo (Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Oviedo)
25. Javier Ruipérez Alamillo (Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Coruña)
26. César Aguado Renedo (Senior Lecturer of Constitutional Law at the University Autónoma of Madrid)
27. Mauricio Suárez (Professor of Logic at University Complutense of Madrid and Research Associate at LSE)
28. Pedro José Chacón Delgado (Senior Lecturer of Constitucional law at the University of UPV/EHU)
29. Ángel José Sànchez Navarro (Professor of Constitutional Law at the University Complutense of Madrid)
30. Joaquín González Ibáñez (Senior Lecturer of International Law and International Relations at the University Alfonso X of Madrid)
31. Miguel Otero (Senior Lecturer of International Relations at IE - Madrid)
32. Carlos Ruiz Miguel (Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Santiago de Compostela)
33. Juan Ramón Fernández Torres (Professor of Public Law at the University Complutense of Madrid)
34. David Jiménez Torres (Lecturer of Humanities at University Camilo José Cela - Madrid)
35. Rafael Palomino (Professor of Ecclesiastical law at University Complutense of Madrid)
36. Florentino Portero (Senior Lecturer of Contemporary History at the University Francisco de Vitoria)
37. Javier Tajadura Tejada (Professor of Constitutional Law at University of UPV/EHU)
38. Mikel Arteta (Dr. in Moral and Political Phylosophy)
39. María Acracia Nuñez Martínez (Lecturer in Public law)
40. Julio Carabaña (Professor of Sociology at University Complutense of Madrid)
41. Cristina Satin Nuno (Senior Lecturer of Geography at the Swansea University)
42. Helena Torroja Mateu (Lecturer of International Public Law at the University of Barcelona)
43. Fernando Vadillo (Senior Lecturer Applied Maths at the University UPV)
44. Cástor M. Díaz Barrado (Professor of International Public Law and International Relations at University Juan Carlos)
45. Teresa González de la Fe (Professor of Sociology at University of La Laguna)
46. Juan Jose Rubio Guerrero (Professor and Dean of the Law School at the university of Castilla La Mancha)
47. José Joaquín Fernández Alles (Senior Lecturer of Constitutional Law at the University of Cadiz)
48. José Montalbán Castilla (Ph.D Candidate at Paris School of Economics)
49. Luis Castellví Laukamp (MHRA Postdoctoral Scholar in Hispanic Studies) at the University of Cambridge)

Other Academics:

50.   Stanley Payne (Emeritus Professor of History at Wisconsin-Madison University)
51. Josu de Miguel Bárcena (Senior lecturer of Constitucional Law at University Autónoma of Barcelona)
52. Javier Huerta Calvo (Professor of Spanish literature at University Complutense of Madrid)
53. Luis Jimena Quesada (Professor of Constitucional law at University of Valencia)
54. Carlos Garrido López (Senior lecturer of Constitucional law at University of Zaragoza)
55. Ricardo Miralles (Professor of Contemporary History at University of UPV/EHU)
56. Antonio Arroyo Gil (Lecturer of Constitutional Law at the University Autónoma of Madrid)
57. Iñaki Iriarte (Senior Lecturer of History of Political Thought at University UPV/EHU)
58. Juan Francisco Fuentes (Professor of Contemporary History at the University Complutense of Madrid)
59. Montserrat Baras (Senior Lecturer of Political Sciences at the University Autónoma de Barcelona)
60. Rafael Lasaga (Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of UPV/EHU)
61. Francisco Javier García Roca (Professor of Constitutional Law at the University Complutense of Madrid)
62. Miguel Azpitarte Sánchez (Senior lecturer of Constitucional law at the University of Granada)
63. Víctor Ferreres Comella (Professor of Constitutional Law at the University Pompeu Fabra)
64. Carmen Sanz Ayán (Professor of Modern History at the University Complutense of Madrid)
65. Francisco Castilla Urbano (Lecturer of History of Polítical Thought at the University of Alcalá de Henares)
66. Gerardo López Sastre (Senior lecturer of Philosophy at University of Castilla La Mancha)
67. José Antonio Antón Pacheco (Senior Lecturer of History of Phylosophy at the University of Seville)
68. Rafael Torres Sánchez (University of Navarra)
69. Francisco Javier Espinosa Senior lecturer at University of Castilla La Mancha)
70. Eloy Fernández Clemente (Professor of Economic History at University of Zaragoza)
71. Laura Sancho Rocher (Professor of Ancient History at University of Zaragoza)
72. Eliseo Serrano Martín (Professor of Modern History at University of Zaragoza)
73. Carlos Ramón Fernández Liesa (Professor of International Public Law and International Relations at the University Carlos III)
74. Carlos Fernández de Casadevante Romani (Professor of Public International law and International Relations at the University Rey Juan Carlos)
75. Francisco Jesús Carrera Hernández (Professor of Public International Law at the University of La Rioja)
76. Juan Sisinio Pérez Garzón (Professor of History at the University of Castilla La Mancha)
77. Juan Alfonso Santamaría Pastor (Professor of Public Law at the University Complutense of Madrid)
78. Lourdes Ruano Espina (Professor of Law of Ecclesiastical Law at the University of Salamanca)
79. Eulalia W Petit de Gabriel (Senior Lecturer of International Public Law and International Relations at the University of Seville)
80. Nicolás Navarro Batista (Professor of Public International Law at the University of Las Palmas of Gran Canaria)
81. Julián Chaves Palacios (Senior Lecturer of Contemporary History at the University of Extremadura)
82. José Vicente Castell Ripoll (Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Valencia)
83. Julio Iglesias de Ussel (Professor of Sociology at University Complutense of Madrid)
84. Alberto Ramos Santana (Professor of Contemporary History at University of Cadiz)
85. Carmen Pérez González (Senior Lecturer of International Public Law at the University Carlos III).
86. Rafael Bonete Perales (Senior Lecturer of Applied Economy at the University of Salamanca)
87. José Luis García Delgado (Emeritus Professsor of Applied Economy at University Complutense of Madrid)
88. María Luisa Terol Esteban (Professor of Sanitary Procedures)
89. María-Dolores Albiac Blanco (Emeritus Professor at University of Zaragoza)
90. Gustavo Raúl de las Heras Sánchez (Professor of Roman Law at University of Castilla-La Mancha)
91. Luis Miguel Macho (Professor of Public law at University of Santiago de Compostela)
92. Jesús Gonzalez Lopez (Professor of Microbiology at the University of Granada)
93. Lucía Millán Moro (Professor of International Public Law at University Pablo de Olavide)
94. Fanny Castro-Rial Garrone (Senior Lecturer of International Public Law at the UNED University)
95. Antonio Guillamon (Emeritus Professor of Psychobiology at the UNED University)
96. Juan José Laborda (Emeritus Professor of Modern History, Director of the Professorship on Parliamentary Democracy at University Juan Carlos, member of the Royal Academy of History)
97. Cesáreo Gutiérrez Espada (Professor of International Public Law and International Relations at University of Murcia)
98. Antonio Cidoncha Martín (Lecturer of Constitutional Law at the University Autónoma of Madrid)
99. Blanca Vilà Costa (Professor of International Private law at University Autónoma of Barcelona)
100. Juan Ramón de Páramo Arguelles (Professor in Phylosophy of Law at University of Castilla La Mancha)
101. Miguel Carrera Troyano (Senior Lecturer of Applied Economics at the University of Salamanca)
102. Mariano Fernández Enguita (Professor of Sociology at the University Complutense of Madrid)
103. Jesús Baz Rodríguez (Senior Lecturer of Employment Law at University of Salamanca)
104. Juan Manuel Bautista Jiménez (Lecturer of International Public Law at University of Salamanca)
105. José Manuel Cortés Martín (Professor of International Public Law at International Public Law at University Pablo de Olavide)
106. Antonio Jiménez-Blanco Carrillo de Albornoz (Professor of Public Law at the Polytechnic University of Madrid)
107. Ángeles González Fernández (Professor of Contemporary History at the University of Seville)
108. Rafael Calduch Cervera (Professor of International Relations at the University Complutense of Madrid)
109. Óscar Alzaga Villaamil (Emeritus Professor of Constitutional Law at UNED University)
110. Josep María Castellà Andreu (Associate professor of Constitutional Law at University of Barcelona)
111. Maria del Rosario Carmona Luque (Senior Lecturer of International Public Law at University Pablo de Olavide)

Other signatories:

112. Gonzalez Laynez, Carlota (Project Coordinator, Nottingham Law School)
113. Gorka Maneiro (Speaker of Ahora)
114. Natalia Lacalle Mangas (Legal counsel  at Eli Lilly)