2007/I/25
Spanish National Court Attacks Civil Rights

Sinn Feins Director of European Affairs Eoin O Broin has today criticised the Spanish National Court over its decision to hand down 6 year sentences to the national executives of the Basque youth organisations Jarrai, Haika and Segi.

Mr O'Broin said:
'Todays decision by the Audencia Nacional is a disgrace. It highlights once again the undemocratic and politicised function which the court performs.
'Jarrai, Haika and Segi are legitimate expressions of Basque young people support for independence and socialism. I have worked with all three organisations, and know many of the individuals personally. The sentence is undemocratic, unjust and in breach of the most basic civil rights which any democracy should uphold.

'Once again the Audencia Nacional has exposed itself as a political tool with neither respect for international human rights or legal standards. Todays decision flys in the face of the principles of justice and the evidence of the case.

Sinn Fein will raise this matter with the Irish government and the Spanish embassy in Dublin.