Ógra Shinn Féin condemns Askapena Arrests

Ógra Shinn Féin international officer John McDermott has condemned the arrest of seven Basque activists who are members of the international solidarity group Askapena. The seven were arrested in dawn raids throughout the Basque country on Tuesday morning.

The operation was directed by Spanish High Court Judge Fernando Pablo Ruz, who replaced Baltasar Garzon on Spain's High Court.

Just weeks after ETA called a ceasefire the raids are seen as an affront to the attempts by the pro independence movement to initiate a new way forward in the Basque Country.

Condemning the dawn arrests John McDermott, who has visited the Basque country on behalf of Ógra in the past had this to say:

“I condemn unreservedly the repressive measures once again inflicted upon the pro independence movement in Euskal Herria.

“It is clear that attempts by the Basque independence movement to proceed forward without armed conflict are being met with further brutality. The words of Spanish politicians who have consistently called for a ceasefire of the armed campaign are now ringing hollow. The response of the Spanish state to the initiative taken by the Basque left has demonstrated that they are not interested in established peace in the Basque Country.

“The Spanish are mistaken if they think that can beat the Basque struggle off the streets by imprisoning those who are actively working for the cause on independence in the Basque country. This has been shown time and again across the world, not least here in Ireland.

“In the past Ógra Shinn Féin has met with various groups who are in favor of Basque independence. One of those groups has been Askapena, whose members were targeted in this latest operation. As we have outlined to them on numerous occasions Ógra Shinn Féin stand shoulder to shoulder with the Basque people in the struggle for independence for the Basque country.

"The arrest of the seven activists has done absolutely nothing to address the outstanding issues facing the Basque people. The Spanish must realize that the only way to deal with the outstanding issues is to engage with the pro independence movement. The unwarranted arrests that we have witnessed in recent days only serve to frustrate the efforts of those trying to establish peace and freedom in the Basque country.