International experts say Catalan trial undermines self-determination
Event organized by ACN pro-independence civic group explores right to decide as part of human rights plan for Catalonia
Event organized by ACN pro-independence civic group explores right to decide as part of human rights plan for Catalonia
"Political conflict should be resolved by political means," says institution head
The decision follows a recommendation to remove the symbols by the Catalan ombudsman, after the president asked for the institution's opinion
Investigation underway as new cases are reported
Peter Tyndall warns Ciutadans to "take care" with comments casting doubt on independence of officials represented by his organization
Spain closed more than a hundred websites in the run-up to the independence referendum
Rafael Ribó meets Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic to discuss political situation and fundamental rights in Catalonia
Rafael Ribó calls for “trial with all guarantees”
The Catalan Ombudsman says international authorities are worried about "the lack of investigations on what is going on" in the country, after meeting UN representative
Electoral Commission under fire as it bans elderly protest but allows far-right group gathering and Ombudsman starts inquiry
Council of town where suspected terrorists lived asks Madrid to “assume responsibilities”
The Ombudsman of Catalonia, Rafael Ribó, presented on Friday the report “Regression of human rights: freedom of speech of elected representatives and separation of power in the Spanish Kingdom” to the President of the Catalan Parliament, Carme Forcadell, which warns of a “deterioration of the principle of separation of power in Spain”. Ribó criticized the suppression of “freedom of speech of elected representatives” and their “criminal prosecution”, which infringes “European law”. The Ombudsman denounced the criminal prosecution of elected representatives “at many different levels”, from local representatives to members of Parliament, and highlighted the case against Carme Forcadell and four members of her Bureau for allowing a debate in the plenary about an independence resolution.
The European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, warned that "any declaration made by members of the EU institutions" regarding Catalonia's independence "would be reflecting their personal view and not the official position of the institution". By stating this, O'Reilly answered a letter sent by Catalan MEPs from liberal CDC, left wing pro-independence ERC-NeCat, Christian Democrat UDC and Eco-Socialist ICV. In the letter, they expressed their concerns about the double version of EC president Jean-Claude Juncker's answer on Catalonia and the problems that many Catalans abroad faced to vote. O'Reilly admitted to being "up to date" on the double answer scandal but asked the MEPs to contact the EC first. Regarding the problems with the vote abroad, O'Reilly considered them a "national matter" and refused the meeting request "for the moment".