The EU cannot stand idly by while a member state jails political opponents
The decision to convict cat alan politicians and activists to lengthy jail sentences following their bid to win independence in 2017 (Scotsman, 15 October) is truly appalling.
Normal western countries don’t lock up democratic opponents and for an EU member state in the 21st century to have political prisoners beggars belief. This situation raises serious concerns about the very nature of democracy in Europe.
The EU and the rest of the international community must intervene, offering the parties away out of the conflict. This is no longer an internal Spanish affair, it is a European and a global crisis. The EU does not need to take a side in the argument, rather it should act as an impartial mediator, looking at democratic and negotiated solutions.
The EU cannot afford not to intervene or the crisis will simply escalate. Let the EU help Spain and Catalonia find peace.
ALEX ORR Marchmont Road, Edinburgh
Most people assumed the SNP’S nadir with regard to their “cutting off the nose to spite the face” tendency came in 1979, when their Westminster MPS committed the worse case ever of political harakiri. In a fit of unparalleled self-indulgence they brought down the moderate Callaghan Labour government and ushered in 13 years of Margaret Thatcher and were decimated at the general election they brought about.
Fast forward to 2019. Forty years later, are they repeating the same short-sightedness? Leading SNP members pillory Spain for their actions in dealing with the Catalan lawbreakers under their laws. Their outspoken remarks will not endear the nationalists to the government of Spain – much the contrary. But, as with the James Callaghan case, the SNP seem to choose to ignore the consequences of their actions.
Spain is a veto-holding EU member with the power on its own to block any attempts for a broken-off and separated Scotland attempting to enter the group. They have been known also to hold grudges.
ALEXANDER MCKAY New Cut Rigg, Edinburgh
The conviction and jailing of the Catalan nationalists on fraudulent charges of orchestrating rebellion is a tragedy and an outrage. Spain is the only country in Western Europe in the 21st century with political prisoners.
The conviction of an elected government for acting on its manifesto is an escalation of the attacks on democratic rights throughout the Western world. It’s an attack on freedom of speech and freedom of thought.
The International Federation for Human Rights concluded that the trial “didn’t offer the minimum guarantees to be qualified as fair”.
General Franco clone Pedro Sanchez has warned he may invoke the National Security Law and Article 155 of the Constitution before elections called for November 11. The people in Catalonia need to engage in meaningful and ongoing opposition to Madrid. This needs to take the form of mass demos, occupations and strikes. Doing it on a one-off basis will not be enough.
The lessons for the independencemovement are clear. Boris Johnson and his band of fanatical Unionists will not grant a Section 30 Order. They will follow the example of Spain and will try to bring charges if any referendum is held in Scotland without Westminster’s consent.
ALAN HINNRICHS Gillespie Terrace, Edinburgh
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