ramon bosch

Many MEPs and different entities urged the European Parliament to withdraw the European Citizen 2014 award from 'Societat Civil Catalana', a Spanish unity association which has been repeatedly linked with extreme right organisations. Recent investigations also connected SCC's president, Josep Ramon Bosch, with Francoist Fascism and Nazism and Bosch himself has been called to Court accused of threatening pro-independence Catalan figures via a fake Facebook profile. The associations, organisations and public figures signing the 'Manifesto: Catalan civil society, for dignity' accuse SCC of "appropriating themselves of the common term ['Societat Civil Catalana'] which refers to the host of civic, cultural and social entities in Catalonia characterised not only by their diversity but also by their defence of democratic principles, Catalan culture and society as a whole".

Josep Ramon Bosch, former president of controversial Spanish unity association ‘Societat Civil Catalana’ has been called to court accused of threatening pro-independence Catalan figures via a false Facebook profile.  Using the name "Fèlix de Sant Serní de Tavèrnoles", Bosch allegedly sent numerous offensive messages and called for a boycott of many Catalan firms. According to lawyers' group 'Drets' these "hate speech messages constitute threat and abuse crimes as laid down in articles 169, 170, 205, 208 and 209 of the criminal code". Bosch, who quit the presidency of 'Societat Civil Catalana' right after the 27-S Catalan elections, will have to appear before the court on the 20^th of January next, in Manresa.

The president of ‘Societat Civil Catalana’ (‘Catalan Civil Society’), Josep Ramon Bosch, confirmed that he will definitely resign after two years in the position. Although he expressed his intention several months ago, the decision was left pending “for political reasons” until this Monday and was finally announced on the day after the 27-S elections. Bosch’s decision arrives after a scandal that linked him with a Facebook profile from which many pro-independence parties and personalities received offensive messages and threats. Bosch denied such accusations and stated that he left office due to “personal and professional reasons”. Together with Bosch, ‘Societat Civil Catalana’ vice-presidents José Rosiñol and Susan Beltrán also expressed their will to step down.  

On Spain's National Day, the 12^th of October, the unionist association called Catalan Civil Society (SCC) organised a massive demonstration against Catalonia's self-determination and independence in downtown Barcelona, which was backed by the People's Party (PP) – running the Spanish Government, the anti-Catalan nationalist party Ciutadans (C's) and the Spanish nationalist party UPyD. It is the 3^rd consecutive year that a demonstration has been organised to support Spain's unity on the 12^th of October in the Catalan capital.  As happened on the two other occasions, organisers failed to fill up Catalunya Square although they gathered thousands of people carrying Spanish and Catalan flags. According to Barcelona's Police, 38,000 participated in it, while according to the Catalan Police 1.8 million people participated in the rally for the consultation vote and independence a month ago.