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INPRIMATU
The report on the state of emergency that violates the rights of Basque prisoners, to the UN
  • The Sare Citizen Network and the Ikasmirak association of the UPV/EHU have submitted a report on violations of the rights of Basque prisoners to the penitentiary policy of the Spanish State. The report will now be forwarded to the UN Human Rights Committee, which has approved the Toledo Pact.
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Irudia: Sare

Each UN country has to pass this examination every five years, and next October will be Spain’s turn. Sare and Ikasmira will also report on the situation of the 203 prisoners in prisons in the Spanish State.

In the presentation of the report, Attorney Bego Atxa stressed the need to continue working to find a solution to the emergency situation still afflicted by prisoners. Lawyer Iñaki Lasagabaster added that the Spanish public authorities are pursuing a penitentiary policy contrary to international law and recalled that the basic rights of imprisoned persons must be respected, “but this is not the case today and is not understood either from a legal or political point of view.”

2,000 km away

Former EA Secretary General Joseba Azkarraga mentioned some of these violations: the policy of removal, the non-release of severely ill prisoners, the practical application of life imprisonment… For example, in the case of 65% of the 203 prisoners, family members and friends who wish to visit them have to travel 2,000 kilometres each time. 85% are in the first grade.

Comprehensive protection

The report is supported by personalities from different areas who have participated in it. Among them are the former lehendakaris Carlos Garaikoetxea and Juan José Ibarretxe, those in the cultural field Patxi Biskert and Arantza Amezaga, Judge Garbiñe Biurrun, journalist Kike Amonarriz, journalist Martxelo Otamendi and PILI Kaltzada, or others.

Read the full report on this link.