It is a sensitive issue, with much pain and suffering for many years ago. It has hit many people hard. That is precisely why I should like to make it clear from the outset that it is not my intention to offend anyone. However, through a number of recent events and statements heard, I would like to give my vision of the subject, trying to build on objective data. Because I do not think the reading of the Basque conflict and its consequences, following specific interests, is appropriate or real. Account of the “chinchos” and the “bad ones”. Winners and losers.

I have heard many times, including between Basques and nationalists, the following opinion on the question of Basque prisoners: “I am absolutely in favour of the repatriation of prisoners. But leaving free… Euskal Herria does, but at home I don’t know… Whoever caused the murders has to pay the penalty…”. Of course, the opinion is legitimate, and I can also partly understand your argument. But I think it’s the result of looking at only a part of the puzzle, rather than looking at the whole puzzle…

The Basque conflict is taking decades and centuries. Incidentally, what remains to be resolved. Political conflict in fact, with two main strands: The Basque Country, on the one hand, and the states of Spain and France that do not accept their own nature. As in many other places, the political conflict also involved armed conflict. And the two parties, in this case the ETA organization, and the two states and their armed forces and paramilitaries, participated in the armed conflict with the serious consequences and collateral damage that this entails: those that have caused and suffered both parties. On both sides there have been those who have provoked violent acts. The victims of these violence have been and are on both sides. And there's been and there's been a lot of pain on both sides.

As of 2011, fortunately, ETA refused to implement the armed struggle. For some, this was something that had to be done a lot earlier, and I agree with that ... But he interrupted his activity, disappeared, handed down weapons and declared that he recognized and felt the pain caused. Therefore, some did what they had asked from the outside on several occasions: to put an end to armed activity, betting on political and peaceful ways. It was a great step forward that Basque society rightly valued and that has enabled us to take steps towards a better coexistence.

In this context, many claimed that this had already overcome the Basque conflict, that we had already achieved peace and that the whole problem had ended. I think they were very far from reality. The other side has not yet left the guns, nor has it acknowledged the pain caused or manifested feeling. Many still do not accept the existence of the political conflict: “The problem was the ETA terrorist organization and once it has politically and militarily defeated everything is over.”

But you know perfectly well that the conflict here is well ahead of the creation of ETA, and that after the disappearance of ETA the conflict is still there. ETA was not the origin of the conflict, but the opposite.

One of the consequences of the conflict is the question of Basque prisoners. In 2023, which has been twelve years since 2011, all prisoners and prisoners have finally ended Basque dispersion and repatriation. It is also excellent news. For some it was something that had to be done much earlier and I fully agree. In no way was the decision to disperse, which affected family members of prisoners the additional suffering, risk and pain (which also led to death).

But that does not mean that the question of prisoners has been fully resolved. There are still 158 Basque prisoners in jail (in the crudest years they became more than 800 due to the dogma “Everything is ETA”). Yes, all those parts of an armed conflict. Everyone else has been free for a long time. No penalty.

State structures continue to apply exceptional double legislation: they perpetuate sanctions against the parties, keeping in prison those that under the law should be on the street, and eliminate penalties for others, releasing those that should be in prison from the very beginning with total impunity. And so, once again, making it clear that the principle of equal treatment does not exist. Let the actions not be judged, but who has done the action. By the same action, one party has been in prison for between 30 and 40 years and the other party has been in prison for between 1 and 2 years or none.

This means a reading of two levels of violence. Suffering at two different levels. Victims of two different levels. With the risks and consequences that this entails. We must be able to recognise all violence, pain and victims of conflict. All. And maintain the same attitude and rigour with those responsible. No differences. And in this work we all have something to improve, all without exception…

There could therefore be two options for resolving the unequal treatment that has been pointed out: either the same penalties apply to those responsible for the violence of the two parties, from the outset on the street, imprisoning those who are unpunished and imposing the long penalties imposed on the other parties. Or we let all, those who are today incarcerated (as has been done in many international conflicts, such as South Africa or Northern Ireland) loose.

We all know that the first option is impossible in Spain. They never will. We would therefore have a second chance…

There is a road ahead, certainly long, but in addition to being in Euskal Herria, I believe that Basque prisoners have the right to be at home to help resolve a conflict that is yet to be resolved. To continue taking steps together. Recognizing all pain, respecting all victims. Continuing the extraordinary work that organizations like SARE are doing.

Aitor Irigoien Odriozola