History lessons

WHEN we go to Barcelona a mustsee is the traditional dances and music outside of the parliament building on the square.

This expression of nationality was banned during the Franco dictatorship as was the speaking of the Catalan language.

Catalonia remains a peaceful country and has stood by such a culture while keenly aware that they are recognised as separate from Spain.

As the Spanish authorities in Madrid accuse the Catalan government of ‘rebellion’ and issue a European arrest warrant for President Carles Puigdemont, we are reminded of history repeating itself.

In 1940 the Gestapo arrested the then president of Catalonia in exile, Lluís Companys, in France and handed him over to Franco’s Madrid, to whom he stood in opposition.

He was thrown into prison, starved and tortured for five weeks before having a one-hour ‘trial’ for ‘rebellion’ and was then taken out of there, put up against a wall and executed.

Those who now criticise Puigdemont and his cabinet for declaring a peaceful declaration of independence for Catalonia would do well to remember from where the current government in Madrid gets its own ‘inspiration’.

Puigdemont and his government are the leaders of the Catalan people, so by removing them Madrid in effect feels it will also subjugate the whole of the Catalan people once again.

Where is the European Union in all this, apart from showing cowardice in the face of democratic wishes through the ballot box being rejected? ROBERT SULLIVAN,

Bantry, Co. Cork.