It has been more than six years since Euskaldunon Egunkaria was closed down. Even though the Prosecutor, the defence counsel and many cultural, social and political players have called for the case to be dropped, the Spanish National Criminal Court is determined to hold two trials: one for the main court case (five people are accused of being members of ETA) and the other one for the financial court case (eight people are accused of financial fraud). The main court case is expected to be held before the end of the year.
The speaker on the day Ainara Mendiola, co-coordinator of the International Campaign in favour of Egunkaria, spoke of how the Basque people are suffering yet again from police and legal injustice and explained fully how the Basque people have reacted in the years following the closure of the newspaper. Ainara showed a brief video relating to the events which was followed by a Q&A session were Ainara explained how the closure of Egunkaria has resulted in grass-roots indignation, with widespread criticism coming from different circles towards the Spanish authorities.
Speaking after the event QUB Sinn Féin member Grace Lynch stated:
“Ainara clearly highlighted the repression and torture which is ongoing in the Basque country. It was great to see so many students come together today and show their support to Ainara and the Basque people. We have much to learn from each other, and these links of solidarity enrich the struggle, experience and knowledge of both organisations. We as young Irish Republicans poignantly remember the oppression enacted against our comrades in the Basque country. We will continue to highlight instances of oppression at home and abroad over the next 12 months, and will continue to grow and develop in 2010. The Basque Country doesn’t walk alone towards democracy and self-determination”.
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