Permanent Social Forum: Feelings of a few years of life for peace and coexistence
From a very young age I felt asked about the situation of our people. I soon felt the desire to work for the good of Euskal Herria and for its value and identity.
In the 1980s and early 1990s, we began to bring together several members, once every three months, to analyze the conflicting situation and see how to act, in addition to working together by the Basque Country and Basque culture. A question was often asked in these meetings: what can we do in this situation about the different forms of violence we suffer in the Basque Country?
In 1992 some of us committed to Elkarri. I was in Durango, and that year I presented and pushed Elkarri's workshop. I was in Elkarri until he disappeared, and then in Lokarri. When in 2015 Lokarri disappeared and Uharan emerged among the group members, I continued to work in that group. Uharan, as you know, from the outset supported the creation of the Social Forum, and I, as a member of the Forum, defended the Forum. When Uharan finished his career, I entered the Permanent Social Forum, as an individual.
I would like to talk about my experience in the Permanent Social Forum over these years and the lines that follow, because the activity of this Forum is interrupted and dismantled next March.
The achievement and maintenance of basic consensus in the peace process has been the result of patience and empathy.
In the forum, we had seventeen organizations and several people as individuals. There was an internal plurality that has contributed a great deal to me, and paused dialogue has been very important in reaching agreements. I want to highlight the human quality of my colleagues in the forum. Now I feel a lot of appreciation and a lot of empathy for them. In my view, the achievement and maintenance of basic consensus in the peace process has been the result of patience and empathy. I, at least, have lived it like this.
The monthly meetings of “Memory and Victims’ Rights Reflection” have enriched me and grown me as people. I was surprised by the dedication, willingness and work of my colleagues. These “reflections” have helped me to have greater empathy with all victims, to be more aware of the discrimination suffered by some victims. I am more aware of the importance of accompanying and protecting all victims.
The consensus reached in the forum on the right of all victims to truth, justice and reparation has helped us a great deal. I have also been helped by extraordinary annual assemblies, particularly by meeting the new people involved in the tasks of the forum. The five forums held and their recommendations have channelled my work and my commitments in this peace and coexistence process. I very much appreciate other activities carried out (citations, unpredictable dialogues, round tables of victims of different violence…).
The “means of reflection” have helped me to have greater empathy with all victims, to be more aware of the discrimination suffered by some victims.
Over the years I have been able to make a critical reflection on my trajectory, my actions and my omissions. I value the spirit of positive self-criticism by acknowledging our personal and collective errors. The forum has been significant to see the importance of recognizing the pain caused and the importance of working to defend human rights. It has been an important meeting, dialogue and analysis space for me.
ETA's disarmament was a turning point. I greatly appreciated the involvement of civil society and the discreet and silent work of many people and organisations. I lived as an important historical milestone within the Forum, a very important impetus in our work for peace and coexistence.
Although I have worked more on the issue of victims, I have also had a great deal on the issue of prisoners, because although we have achieved some achievements, much work remains to be done (progression of grades and permits…). I am aware of the difficulties that currently exist.
ETA's disarmament was a turning point. I greatly appreciated the involvement of civil society
In the future, I see that there is a long way to go on the subject of the story, and I share what the Forum has said, which must be a poliédric, critical and unjustified story. It is important for me not to repeat what happened.
It seems to me that the feminist vision within the forum has helped and made me more aware. And another language, which has been created within the Forum, using new and not other expressions.
In conclusion, I should like to point out that the peace process is not yet complete. Much remains to be done. And I'd like to continue to bring my bit of sand from different instances to further develop this practice. At the same time, I must say that I am pleased with the work done by the Permanent Social Forum.
Jon Casado Ormazabal
Retired university professor and member of the Permanent Social Forum
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