Obstacles to the third level of Basque prisoners on the threshold of the Bilbao demonstration
- The demonstration in Bilbao at the beginning of January in defence of the rights of political prisoners is always special in the calendar of rights, but this year’s one has been emphasised, among other things, in the end of the dispersal.
For this purpose, a change of logo has also been made, claiming the end of the dispersion with maps and arrows of the Basque Country, leaving them only in two arrows and adding “home”. In addition, two years have passed since the pandemic and the regular demonstration is not being held in Bilbao, and this year Sare and Bake Bidea - Bakegileak have held a joint call in Bilbao. A special effort is also being made in the towns to organise buses. A special event was also held on 8 October to recall the proximity of the end of the Illumbe dispersion in San Sebastian.
Today, this is the map of prisoners, according to data from the Etxerat association: 131 prisoners in the prisons of Euskal Herria; sixteen in their homes; fourteen scattered in the Spanish state, most in the prisons around Euskal Herria; and twelve in the French state, eleven in Lannemezán. A total of 173 prisoners. Far from the 762 prisoners in 2008, but ETA logically abandoned its armed activity in 2011 and disappeared in 2018.
Problems with the third grade
Until recently, most of the prisoners have left the streets serving all the prison sentence, since in the first grade they have not had prison benefits. This has changed in recent years, today all prisoners are at least in 2nd grade, which means they can access prison benefits.
According to the Sare association, 113 of the Spanish prisoners could get the third grade, which means that they have the opportunity to go out on the street from day to day with the need to return to prison to sleep. After such a time, the next step is parole.
However, this path has found obstacles in the National Hearing. Since the Basque Government acquired prison surveillance powers in September 2021, the Government has recognised more than 450 prisoners, of whom 33 are Basque prisoners. The Government has clearly indicated that the best way to socialize the prisoner is to go out into the street with permits, and that he will continue this policy without distinguishing between the prisoners.
In the case of Basque prisoners, however, prison surveillance rights are in the hands of the National Court, from which third grades granted by the Government are being obstructed. According to Sare, 23 of the 33 prisoners cited have been appealed to the National High Court for the removal of the third grade, seven of whom have been deprived of the third grade and have returned to prison.
GAL, ETA, dispersion and torture
On Saturday afternoon, the demonstration will begin at 17:00 on Autonomy Street in Bilbao, under the motto "The way home nearby", but also in the morning an important event will take place in the Euskalduna Palace. Rosa Rodero, widow of Joseba Goikoetxea, deceased by ETA; Rosa Lluch, daughter of Ernest Lluch, deceased by ETA; Maider García, daughter of Juan Carlos García, deceased by GAL; Irantzu Benito, daughter of Esteban Muruete, who lost the waters of Torxueta.
The interview will be moderated by journalist Maider Premio. Please invite to attend and will have limited capacity, but you can follow live on the Sare website and on Youtube.
As soon as the Dispersion ends, the report collects the blocking of permissions. It explained the situation of Basque prisoners, and in addition to the obstacles involved in the way of permits, it addressed the risk that some people considered ETA directives may be imprisoned in the near future.
Jar gaitezen 2025erako proposamen politiko gisa, Espainiako Auzitegi Kolonialaren (AN) epai guztiak berrikusten hasteko eta makila bakoitzak bere belari eusteko.
Unionismoarekin lerrokatutako alderdi, sindikatu eta gizarte-erakunde gehienek, eta ez bakarrik horrela... [+]
Next Saturday, 11 January, the Sare citizens' network called for a new demonstration in Bilbao in defence of the rights of Basque prisoners. This is a unique opportunity to move forward on the path of coexistence in our people, after decades of violent confrontation and, even... [+]
Hatortxu Rock jaialdiko 29. edizioa egingo da larunbatean Atarrabian. Sarrerak jada agortuta daude, baina txandak osatzeko laguntza behar da oraindik.
What surprised you the most when you left jail? I've been asked many times in the last year and a half.
See that the streets of Bilbao are full of tourists and dogs with two legs, for example? Or the changes in the political situation? The first one has tired me and annoyed me... [+]
