International reactions to the police repression against the 1-O referendum on independence
Several international personalities and organisations have expressed through social networks their reaction to the police action aimed at repressing the referendum on independence of Catalonia.
Human Rights organizations and personalities
Heads of Government and State, members of Government
International organizations
Members of the European Parliament (MEP)
Political parties, Parliaments and Members of Parliaments (MP)
Mayors and local governing bodies
Scholars, activits, artists and other manifestos
Human Rights organizations and personalities
· Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
“I am very disturbed by the violence in Catalonia on Sunday.”
· Rigoberta Menchú, Nobel Peace Prize in 1992
“My strong condemnation of the rebuke of the Spanish State against the people of Catalonia in the framework of their right to self-determination.”
Mi enérgica condena a la reprensión del Estado Español en contra del pueblo de #Cataluña en el marco de su derecho a la autodeterminación.
— Rigoberta Menchú Tum (@RigobertMenchu) October 2, 2017
“We encourage the international community to speak openly, condemning the violence of the Spanish government against the Catalan people.”
Animamos a la comunidad internacional a pronunciarse abiertamente, condenando la violencia del gobierno español contra el #PuebloCatalan pic.twitter.com/mPt4Kmh3vX
— Rigoberta Menchú Tum (@RigobertMenchu) October 3, 2017
· Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
“I have received reports about disproportionate use of force against peaceful demonstrators and persons engaged in passive resistance to police action, on the streets and in and around places where such persons intended to vote.”
· Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), called on the Spanish authorities to ensure respect for fundamental freedoms of peaceful assembly and expression
· The Elders, an independent group of global leaders founded by Nelson Mandela working for peace and human rights
“The Elders express their deep concern at the recent violent confrontation in Catalonia and urged both sides to pursue a peaceful resolution through dialogue.”
· Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-General and Chair of The Elders
“The constitutional crisis that is unfolding in Spain calls for consultation and not confrontation. I urge the Spanish government and the regional government of Catalonia to renew their commitment to a resolution through dialogue. They must find a peaceful path out of this crisis.”
I urge the Spanish gov't and regional gov't of Catalonia to renew their commitment to a resolution through dialogue https://t.co/jqXCYWX6yo pic.twitter.com/foyowFUHjf
— Kofi Annan (@KofiAnnan) October 8, 2017
· Amnesty International
“In several cases, the actions of National Police and Civil Guard officers involved excessive and unnecessary use of force, and the dangerous use of riot control equipment, injuring hundreds of peaceful protesters.”
· Salil Shetty, Secretary General, Amnesty International
Police must respect freedom of assembly, disproportionate use of force is unlawful. #CatalonianReferendum https://t.co/2ZER97tIOX
— Salil Shetty (@SalilShetty) October 1, 2017
· Kartik Raj, Western Europe Researcher, HRW
#CatalanReferendum @HRW calls on authorities to respect right to peaceful assembly & free expression & refrain from excessive use of force. pic.twitter.com/AUX5K8UhIk
— Kartik Raj (@Kartik__Raj) October 1, 2017
· Miha Lobnik, Advocate of the Principle of Equality (Slovenia)
Do we want to be part of that Union in which member states send police to hurt voters expressing their will #Katalonia #ReferendumCatalan ?
— Miha Lobnik (@MihaLobnik) October 3, 2017
International organizations
· MERCOSUR Parliament
Heads of Government and State, members of Government
· Charles Michel, Prime Minister of Belgium
Violence can never be the answer! We condemn all forms of violence and reaffirm our call for political dialogue #CatalanReferendum #Spain
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) October 1, 2017
· Alexander De Croo, Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium (Flemish Liberals and Democrats)
“Police violence against peacefully civilians to prevent them from voting condemns you. Period.”
Politiegeweld tegen burgers die vreedzaam hun stem uitbrengen kan niet en veroordeel je. Punt. #Catalonië #Spanje https://t.co/8Sm8VXO4vG
— Alexander De Croo (@alexanderdecroo) October 19, 2017
· Milo Cerar, Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia
I am concerned about situation. I call for political dialogue, rule of law and peaceful solutions. #CatalanReferandum #Spain
— dr. Miro Cerar (@MiroCerar) October 1, 2017
· Sauli Niinistö, President of Finland
“Situation in Catalonia looks serious […] Talks must begin.”
Niinistö IS:lle: Katalonian tilanne näyttää vakavalta, helposti alku johonkin hyvin hankalaan. Kierre katkaistava. Keskustelut aloitettava.
— TPKanslia (@TPKanslia) October 1, 2017
· Timo Soini, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland
FM Timo #Soini: Violence in #Catalonia is unacceptable. Dialogue and respect for legality needed as a way out.
— Ulkoministeriö (@Ulkoministerio) October 1, 2017
· Marit Berger Røsland, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway, expressed concerns about the the violence witnessed in Catalonia
Statssekretær @MaritRsla: Bekymret for voldsbruken vi har sett i #Catalonia i dag og for en ytterlige eskalering av situasjonen
— Utenriksdepartement (@Utenriksdept) October 1, 2017
· Linas Antanas Linkevičius, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania
Emotianal charge is strong, wounds of mistrust deep,dialogue w own people is a must for #Spain.Violence will not help. #CatalonianReferendum
— Linas Linkevicius (@LinkeviciusL) October 1, 2017
· Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland
1/2 Increasingly concerned by images from #Catalonia. Regardless of views on independence, we should all condemn the scenes being witnessed
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) October 1, 2017
· François de Rugy, President of the National Assembly of France
“Catalonia: we must not seek who is wrong or who is right, we must find a solution. We have to negotiate.”
Catalogne : il ne faut pas chercher qui a tort ou qui a raison, il faut trouver une solution. Il faut négocier. #Dimancheenpolitique
— François de Rugy (@FdeRugy) October 1, 2017
· Martin Ayrer, Spokesperson of the Czech government
“Terrible images. Is this really 2017 in a member state of the EU?”
Záběry, z kterých mrazí. Opravdu jsou z roku 2017? Opravdu z členské země EU? https://t.co/0JrKb2Q4yZ
— Martin Ayrer (@MartinAyrer) October 1, 2017
· Eli Ben-Dahan, Israeli Deputy Defense Minister
“Spain backs statehood for Palestine – but not Catalonia?”
· Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs regrets the events that occurred yesterday in the Autonomous Community of Catalonia.”
Members of the European Parliament (MEP)
· Dimitrios Papadimoulis, Greek Member of the European Parliament (MEP) as a member of the European United Left-Nordic Green Left
“Police violence aggravates crisis between Madrid and Barcelona. Political conflicts must be resolved through policy.”
La violencia policial agrava crisis entre Madrid y Barcelona.Los conflictos políticos deben resolverse mediante política. #CatalanReferendum
— Dim. Papadimoulis (@papadimoulis) October 1, 2017
· Cecilia Wikström, Swedish MEP in the European Parliament, representing the Swedish liberal party Liberalerna in the ALDE-group.
“The referendum has degenerated on the Spanish side. It is no longer a matter of independence but of democracy and human rights.”
#CatalonianReferendum har från Spaniens sida urartat. Det handlar nu inte om självständighet- men om demokrati o mänskliga rättigheter!
— Cecilia Wikström(L) (@CeciliaWikstrom) October 2, 2017
· Marina Albiol Guzmán, Spanish MEP from Izquierda Unida and responsible for IU Internacional. Spokesman for the IU Delegation in the European Parliament
“Against the repression, the right of self-determination. Today during the plenary session at Strasbourg I advocated that Catalonia will be what its people decide.”
Frente a la represión, el derecho de autodeterminación. Hoy en pleno de Estrasburgo he defendido que Catalunya será lo que su pueblo decida pic.twitter.com/T4krxo3acQ
— Marina Albiol Guzmán (@MarinaAlbiol) October 2, 2017
· Petras Auštrevičius, Lithuanian MEP for the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Group
Excessive actions of #Spanish police is not a solution. #Catalonia people's will must be respected! pic.twitter.com/a4aiXnRU9J
— Petras Austrevicius (@petras_petras) October 1, 2017
“I am disappointed with the current reaction of the leaders of the European Union. It is not enough to say (or not even say) that violence against peaceful people in the last weekend’s referendum was shameful. Shameful are the threats to politicians supporting Catalan independence, shameful are the arrests, the arrogance of the Spanish central government.”
· Martin Schulz, current leader of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD). Former President of the European Parliament
“The escalation in Spain is worrying. Madrid and Barcelona must immediately de-escalate and search for the dialogue.”
Die Eskalation in Spanien ist besorgniserregend. Madrid und Barcelona müssen sofort deeskalieren und den Dialog suchen.
— Martin Schulz (@MartinSchulz) October 1, 2017
· Guy Verhofstadt. President of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
It's high time for de-escalation. Only a negotiated solution is the way forward. Read my full statement on the #CatalanReferendum here pic.twitter.com/v1OMgFJFIj
— Guy Verhofstadt (@GuyVerhofstadt) October 1, 2017
Political parties, Parliaments and Members of Parliaments (MP)
· The Foreign Policy Comisson of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia recommends the Government of Slovenia to, at the level of the EU, advocate for a solution based on dialogue.
· The parliament of Slovenia adopted by unanimity a resolution in support of the right to self-determination.
· The National Assembly of Quebec (Canada)
Quebec’s political parties unanimously adopted a motion condemning the violence and what they called the “authoritarianism” of the Spanish government’s actions in Catalonia, and called for an international mediation.
· The Flemish Parliament (Belgium)
Unanimously approved a resolution on the referendum for independence in Catalonia that “strongly condemns the uncontrolled violence of the Spanish authorities”, and calls for dialogue and proposes that the international community plays a mediating role.
· Frente Amplio party (Uruguay) ruling party of Uruguay condemns Spanish police violence in Catalonia and calls for dialogue with international mediation
Declaración de la Mesa Política Nacional ante los hechos ocurridos en España el pasado 1º de octubre. pic.twitter.com/dZX9dxN7AX
— Frente Amplio (@Frente_Amplio) October 6, 2017
“Absolute rejection of the brutal and disproportionate use of force on the part of the Spanish security forces.”
· Walter Verri, Colorado Party Deputy (Uruguay)
“The repression of Rajoy is disgusting and he is responsible for what happens. Democracy is not fought with blows and sticks. My solidarity with Catalonia.”
La represion de Rajoy da asco y es responsable de lo qué pasa. La democracia no se combate con golpes y palos. Mi solidaridad con #Catalunia
— Walter Verri (@WalterVerri) October 1, 2017
· Pablo Barrone, Partido Socialista Deputee (Uruguay)
“Rajoy is responsible for the violence to the Catalan people. Democracy is social coexistence not social barbarism. Solidarity with Catalonia.”
#Rajoy es responsable de la violencia al pueblo catalán. La democracia es convivencia social no barbarie social. Solidaridad con #Catalunya pic.twitter.com/LfSIEaWFoB
— Pablo Barrone (@PabloBarrone) October 3, 2017
· Dr. Milan Brglez, Speaker of the National Assembly of Slovenia, said that Catalonia has the right to self-determination and announced that it would call the ambassador of Spain to request explanations about the repression.
Dr. Milan Brglez, predsednik Državnega zbora: "Katalonci imajo pravico do samoodločbe" https://t.co/IjC4UnB8Re #Catalonia #referendum
— Mladina (@SpletnaMladina) October 1, 2017
· Jean-Luc Mélechon, member of the National Assembly of France for La France Insoumise
“The Spanish state lost its composure. The nation can not be a straitjacket. #Catalogne.”
L'État espagnol perd son sang-froid. La nation ne peut être une camisole de force. #Catalogne
— Jean-Luc Mélenchon (@JLMelenchon) October 1, 2017
#Catalogne : la France doit proposer une médiation. #QAG pic.twitter.com/QiENwhqgbA
— Jean-Luc Mélenchon (@JLMelenchon) October 3, 2017
· Leader of the Labour Party, UK
Police violence against citizens in #Catalonia is shocking. The Spanish government must act to end it now.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) October 1, 2017
· Rasmus Nordqvist, Member of the Danish Parliament, The Alternative
“Belgium has taken the Catalan referendum to the OSCE and says ‘today we are all Catalans’.”
Folkeafstemningen i Katalonien bringes op til OSCE her af Belgien der siger "lad os alle være katalanerne idag" #OSCEPA #CatalanReferandum pic.twitter.com/0mIwyTOyFN
— rasmus nordqvist (@rasmusnordqvist) October 3, 2017
· Jan Björklund, Leader of the Liberal Party of Sweden
“Violence must be condemned in Catalonia. Madrid has the greatest responsibility. Now a political solution is necessary, not more violence or confrontation.”
Våldet i Katalonien måste fördömas. Madrid bär största ansvaret. Nu krävs politisk lösning, inte mer våld o konfrontation.
— Jan Björklund (@bjorklundjan) October 2, 2017
· Trine Skei Grande, leader of the Liberal Party of Norway
“The violence of the police in the Catalan referendum will be a loss for Catalonia, Spain and Europe.”
Politivolden vil sette dype spor. Det blir et tap for Catalonia og Spania – og for Europa, skriver @Trinesg: https://t.co/nWvDBeZgyp
— Venstre (@Venstre) October 2, 2017
· The Norwegian Green party asks Erna Solberg, Prime Minister of Norway, to condemn Spain for its aggression against Catalonia
Så mange grusomme scener. Vi forventer at @erna_solberg og @Regjeringen fordømmer denne voldsbruken på det sterkeste. https://t.co/JTPqGNHSj6
— De Grønne (@Partiet) October 1, 2017
· Nikolaj Villumsen, Danish MP
“After the Belgian and Slovenian Prime Ministers condemned violence. What says Lars Løkke Rasmussen (Danish Prime Minister) or Anders Samuelsen (MFA DK).”
Premierministeren i Belgien og Slovenien har kritiseret volden i Catalonien. Hvornår følger @larsloekke eller @anderssamuelsen efter? #dkpol
— Nikolaj Villumsen (@nvillumsen) October 1, 2017
· Igor Gräzin, Estonian Member of Parliament for Eesti Reformierakond Party
“Madrid made the referendum legal.”
· Gerry Adams, President of Sinn Féin, called for international mediation on the political situation in Catalonia and strongly condemned the violence carried out by the Spanish state against Catalan voters on Sunday.
· Alex Salmond, Former First Minister of Scotland
On @LBC 3pm, #SalmondOnSunday:
– Bloody scenes in Barcelona: time to let Catalonia go?
– Theresa May: time to go?
– Brexit: is it worth it?— Alex Salmond (@AlexSalmond) October 1, 2017
· Tiago Barbosa Ribeiro, MP, Socialist Party of Portugal
“Shocked by violence in Catalonia. Shame, Rajoy!”
Chocado com a violência na Catalunha. Vergonha, Rajoy! #CatalonianReferendum
— TiagoBarbosaRibeiro (@tbribeiro) October 1, 2017
Mayors and local governing bodies
· Jaunjelgava Municipality (Latvia), has expressed its support for the Catalan municipalities and people to decide in a democratic, political way about their future. The Jaunjelgava Municipality has also called on other municipalities in Latvia to express their solidarity and support to the people of Catalonia and its legal representatives “on the road to independence”.
· Rémy Pagani, Mayor of Geneva, in his speech at the consulate of Spain on the occasion of Spain’s national day:
“Sending police units to confront manu militari with people who vote and prevent them from doing so is a manifest political fault… Unity cannot be procrastinated from above … it must come from below to be democratic… Would not it be prudent for the Spanish government to accept this gesture of goodwill and take a step towards dialogue instead of threatening with article 155?”
· Amanda Gavilanes, Geneva city councilor
Members of the Geneva city Council supporting #LlibertatJordis ! #genevacityofpeace #aixino #catalunya pic.twitter.com/N8QDvtGXTv
— Amanda Gavilanes (@GenderGirl) October 18, 2017
· The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales sends a letter of condemnation to the Spanish Ambassador regarding the suppression of Catalan citizens by Spanish State
Our letter of condemnation to the Spanish Ambassador regarding the suppression of Catalan citizens by Spanish State Police. @NorthWalesPCC pic.twitter.com/Tm9FxlF9Xq
— Arfon Jones (@ArfonJ) October 4, 2017
Scholars, activits and artists
· Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks
This is the real Spanish state–and why Catalonia wants to leave it. pic.twitter.com/ppCpS3uSxQ
— Julian Assange ? (@JulianAssange) October 1, 2017
· Dozens of Portuguese intellectuals and activists have subscribed to a manifesto in which they criticize what they consider to be the “police repression” exercised by the Spanish order forces
· J. K. Rowling, British novelist and screenwriter
This is repugnant and unjustifiable. https://t.co/10K5ajzIc3
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 1, 2017
· Jimmy Wales, Founder of @Wikipedia
Without any reservations I condemn the violence against peaceful voters in the Catalan referendum.
— Jimmy Wales (@jimmy_wales) October 2, 2017
· Björk, Icelandic singer, songwriter
for catalonia https://t.co/9GYPtNCiYk
— björk (@bjork) October 2, 2017
· Morrissey, English singer and songwriter
“Free Catalonia from Spain.”
· Prof. Steve Hanke, Applied Economist at Johns Hopkins University
#Spain has a decision on their hands: respect the democratic vote of #Catalonia or face a massive debt crisis https://t.co/rBhCQMaumt
— Prof. Steve Hanke (@steve_hanke) October 3, 2017
· Manifesto ‘Request of support to the Catalan people’ (Slovenia)
More than 3,300 politicians and personalities from Slovenia have signed the manifesto “Request of support to the Catalan people”. The signers urge “the institutions of the European Union to do everything in their power” to help promote a dialogue between Catalan and Spanish authorities and “acknowledge the results of the referendum in which 90% of the voters voted in favour of the independence.” The first signatories of the Manifesto are Milan Kučan, first President of Slovenia; Dimitrij Rupel, former prime minister; and the intellectual Spomenka Hribar.
· Manifesto ‘Catalonia: it’s a European issue’ (Italy)
The Italian manifesto “Catalonia: it’s an European issue”, signed by twenty personalities from the left-wing, “condemns the violence of the National Police and the Guardia Civil against the defenceless Catalans on Sunday 1 October” and demands that “the political responsibility of the aggression is clarified.”
· Mexican intellectuals and politicians demand the release of the two leaders of pro-independence organisations ANC, Jordi Sànchez, and Òmnium, Jordi Cuixart, and defend the respect of Human Rights