West Tyrone Ógra Shinn Féin representative Kerry McColgan has called upon people to sign an online petition calling for an end to extradition proceedings against two Basque nationals currently living in Belfast.
Iñaki de Juana and Arturo 'Beñat' Villanueva have been fighting extradition proceedings after the Spanish government issued international arrest warrants for both men.
According to Miss McColgan if the men were extradited back to the Basque country they would face torture, prison and suffer human rights abuses.
“Ógra Shinn Féin fully endorses the campaign to end the political persecution of Inaki and Benat and support the call for them to live freely in Ireland. The attempts by the Spanish to extradite Basque nationals is the latest in a number of attacks on individuals and groups who support Basque independence.
“In recent months and years we have seen political and cultural bodies being deemed illegal and activist arrested an imprisoned. Youth organisations are also being deemed illegal and their leadership are being sent to prison for many years. It is clear to any impartial observer that the Spanish government are guilty of human rights abusers of Basque independence supporters and activists. Indeed many amnesty international reports would support this view.
“Ógra have seen the repression in the Basque country at first hand on numerous delegations to the country through the past number of years and demand that the Spanish government ends its campaign of criminalisation and political persecution against organisations and individuals that are in favour of Basque independence.
Iñaki de Juana and Arturo 'Beñat' Villanueva have been fighting extradition proceedings after the Spanish government issued international arrest warrants for both men.
According to Miss McColgan if the men were extradited back to the Basque country they would face torture, prison and suffer human rights abuses.
“Ógra Shinn Féin fully endorses the campaign to end the political persecution of Inaki and Benat and support the call for them to live freely in Ireland. The attempts by the Spanish to extradite Basque nationals is the latest in a number of attacks on individuals and groups who support Basque independence.
“In recent months and years we have seen political and cultural bodies being deemed illegal and activist arrested an imprisoned. Youth organisations are also being deemed illegal and their leadership are being sent to prison for many years. It is clear to any impartial observer that the Spanish government are guilty of human rights abusers of Basque independence supporters and activists. Indeed many amnesty international reports would support this view.
“Ógra have seen the repression in the Basque country at first hand on numerous delegations to the country through the past number of years and demand that the Spanish government ends its campaign of criminalisation and political persecution against organisations and individuals that are in favour of Basque independence.
“We ask people to sign the petition at http://www.gopetition.com/online/28434.html and demonstrate solidarity to the two men who have made Ireland their home.
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