THE plight of political prisoners in Catalonia is to come under the spotlight of the Council of Europe amid claims that their right to freedom of expression has been violated.
A total of 12 pro-independence leaders are currently on trial in Madrid for their part in the October 2017 Catalan independence referendum and some have been in pre-trial detention for 18 months.
READ MORE: Lawyers in Catalan independence case warned ‘police not on trial’
The council’s parliamentary assembly (Pace) is now preparing a report on political prisoners in Spain and Turkey, following a motion by 20 of its members earlier this year.
They had expressed concern for the “growing number of national, regional and local politicians prosecuted for the statements made during the exercise of their mandate, particularly in Spain and Turkey”.
READ MORE: Scottish volunteers' role in Spanish Civil War celebrated
Signatories said that according to the constitutional law experts on the Venice Commission, parliamentary immunity is based on the fundamental protection of the institution itself, and its elected representatives.
Freedom of expression for members of a parliament, they argued, was an “essential part of democracy” and should be protected.
Their motion read: “It is necessary for MPs to exercise their democratic functions effectively without fear of interference from the executive or judiciary. Their freedom of speech has to be a wide one and should be protected also when they speak outside parliament.”
READ MORE: Catalan trial observers warn of 'artificial' police narrative
Meanwhile, former vice-president Oriol Junqueras, one of those on trial who is also a candidate in the April 28 Spanish election, will be allowed to take part in an election press conference tomorrow. However, Spain’s electoral board said he will not be allowed to leave Soto del Real prison, where he is being held, and will have to take part in the Catalan News Agency event by video conference.
The party he leads, the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) had sought permission for him to take part in a series of interviews, but the board has only authorised one.
Spain’s Supreme Court yesterday rejected requests from other jailed leaders Jordi Sànchez, Jordi Turull and Josep Rull to take part in campaign rallies during the trial.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel