An unacceptable violation of rights

Sir, - The pictures on our TV screens and in our newspapers of what is happening in Catalonia in the run up to its independence ballot is deeply disturbing for all those who believe in democracy.

European values, civil rights, freedom of speech, freedom of information and freedom of assembly are being violated by the Spanish Government, which has sent the police to search newspapers, printing companies and private mail services; ban political meetings; seize referendum material; and threaten to imprison democratically elected politicians.

Despite more than 70% of Catalans supporting the holding of a referendum, Catalan home rule has effectively been suspended by the Spanish Government.

It’s a situation that harks back to the dark past of Spain and is not taking place in some tin-pot dictatorship, but within the European Union.

This issue is now not just solely about independence, it is about fundamental civil rights and the universal right of self-determination.

Instead of engaging in discourse, the Spanish Government has opted for police and judges, taking it beyond the limits of a respectable democracy and thereby violating the European Charter of Fundamental Rights.

The EU itself is built on these values and is committed to guarantee the rights proclaimed in the charter and in the EU treaties.

As an EU member state, Spain should respect that.

If not, it is the European Commission’s duty to intervene.

The international community must stand with Catalonia in its defence of democracy and true European values.

Alex Orr. Leamington Terrace, Edinburgh.

Picture: Getty Images. A demonstration in favour of the Catalonian independence referendum.