Sinn Féin in Gernika

This important note was published by An Phoblacht:

International : Sinn Féin attends Gernika solidarity launch

International network for Basque independence

ELECTED representatives from Ireland, the Basque Country, Germany, Scotland, Flanders and Catalonia met at the beginning of November at the first gathering of the Gernika Network for Self-determination, an alliance to internationalise the plight of the Basque pro-independence movement.

This new initiative was launched on 25 April in the Basque town of Gernika, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the Nazi bombing of the town during the Spanish Civil War and it focuses on the right to self-determination for the Basque people.

Ireland was represented by Sinn Féin MLA Francie Brolly. Others attending were Michael Leutert, MP of the German party Die Linke (The Left) and member of the Bundestag’s Human Rights Commission; Flemish MP Jan Loones; SNP member Lloyd Quinan, who is currently working in the independence dialogue initiative launched by Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond MP; and Otger Amatller, Laia Jurado, Ana María Guijarro and Anna Gabriel, councillors of the Catalan party, Candidatures d’Unitat Popular (CUP). Batasuna’s representatives Karmelo Landa and Eusebio Lasa were also present.

There was an official reception in Gernika’s town hall attended by the town’s local government, led by Basque nationalist parties EA and ANV, and members of Gernika Batzordea.

Some of the signatories to the Gernika Network initiative are working ahead in highlighting the situation in the Basque Country. In Italy, Rifundazione Comunista and the Green Party have tabled motions in the Senate in relation to the rights of Basque people to decide on their future.
Lloyd Quinan (SNP, Scotland) pointed out the closeness between his country and the Basque Country “because we want to be part of the international community and we have the right to our own voice in the United Nations Assembly”. The SNP is committed to publicise the Basque situation in Scotland, he said, “because it is necessary that we all defend the human and political right of all citizens in all countries around the world”.

German MP Michael Leutert referred to Hitler’s support for the Franco regime’s suppression of the Basques. It would never be forgotten, he said. “We Germans have a historical responsibility to contribute to the solution of those conflicts that violated human rights. I hope this network will serve to restore the rights of the Basques.

“Next year we will be celebrating 50 years of the UN Charter of Human Rights and there will be an opportunity to vindicate the rights of this people.”

Francie Brolly referred to an issue particularly important to Irish and Basque people: their languages. Basque and Gaelic are key elements in the identity of both nations. Brolly highlighted the value of keeping minority languages alive, as they represent “the soul of humankind”.

Good for them!

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