the demonstration for prisoners’ rights in bilbao in the international media

BIG STORY TOP NEWS SPECIAL COVERAGE ARCHIVE ESPAÑOL VIDEO

LARGE PROTEST FORRETURN OF BASQUEPRISONERSBY JORGE GARMA

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jan 12, 3:52 PM EST

AP Photo/Gaizka Bilbao

WORLD VIDEO

BILBAO, Spain (AP) -- Tens of thousands of Basque

separatist sympathizers marched in downtown Bilbao on

Saturday calling for an amnesty that would allow ETA

prisoners to serve out the remainder of their sentences in

the northern Spanish region rather than in jails further

afield.

Protesters marched to the cityʹs

town hall behind banners saying

ʺHuman rights, resolution, peace.

Basque prisoners back home.ʺ

Some protesters waved Catalan

flags in solidarity with another

northern Spanish region with an

important separatist movement.

One large banner included a slogan

in English, saying ʺRepatriate all

Basque prisoners.ʺ

Latest News

LABOR MURAL REMOVBACK ON DISPLAY

Jan. 14 10:09 AM EST

SEVERE BEIJING SMOGPROMPTS UNUSUALTRANSPARENCY


GERMANY: ROBBERS DTUNNEL TO RAID BANK


ARRESTS MADE IN LOSANGELES STORE HOSTDRAMA


5 FREE THINGS TO DOCITY AREA


News from The Associated Press http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_SPAIN_BASQUES?SITE...

1 / 3 14/01/2013 16:11

Victims of Costa ShipwreckMark Anniversar…

PHOTO GALLERY

PLANE CRASH INMADRID

LATEST NEWS

LARGE PROTEST FORRETURN OF BASQUEPRISONERS

SPAIN ARRESTS 2 OVERSUSPECTED IRAN NUCLEAREXPORT

SPAIN SAYS ARMYSERGEANT DIES INAFGHANISTAN BLAST

SPANIARD IN CUBA DEATHMAY GET WORK RELEASE

ARGENTINES SENTENCEDFOR DRUG TRAFFICKING INSPAIN

Spain has for more than two

decades dispersed ETA prisoners

under an amendment to the

countryʹs 1975 anti-terrorism law.

One of the purposes of the law was

to stop convicted Basque militants

from communicating easily among

themselves to plan subversive

strategies.

ʺA large percentage of the Basque

nation has been at this

demonstration to ask the Spanish

government to make a change,ʺ

58-year-old protester Maite Perez de

Mendiola said.

There are an estimated 700 ETA

prisoners held in jails do7ed around

Spain and France, and only around

two dozen are believed to be in

Basque region prisons.

ETA has killed 829 people since the

late 1960s in bombings and shootings

to force the creation of a Basque

homeland in northern Spain and

southwest France.

The organization pledged in October

2011 to stop using weapons in its bid for Basque

independence, but it stopped short of saying it would

disarm and allow inspections of decommissioned

weapons, as happened with the IRA in Northern

Ireland.

Inaki Olasolo, a spokesman for the protest, said the

Spanish government could take advantage of ʺa historic

opportunity to reach a solid peace with justice, with

recognition and healingʺ if it allowed prisoners back.

Olasolo also called for the release of those suffering

from terminal illnesses, of which it is believed there are

three.

Although ETA - classified as a terrorist organization by

Spain, the U.S. and the European Union - has declared

two previous ʺpermanentʺ cease-fires, many observers

think this time they mean it. Waves of arrests in recent

years have repeatedly weakened its structure and

diminished its ability to carry out a7acks or collect

funds.


2 / 3 14/01/2013 16:11

BUY AP PHOTOREPRINTS

However, French police late Friday arrested two people

who reportedly acknowledged being ETA members and

one of the suspects was in possession of a firearm.

---

Associated Press writer Harold Heckle in Madrid

contributed to this report.

© 2013 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY

NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED. Learn more

about our PRIVACY POLICY and TERMS OF USE.

©2012 The Associated Press.

All rights reserved. TERMS under which this site is provided.

Learn more about our PRIVACY POLICY.


3 / 3 14/01/2013 16:11

BODYBUILDING SECRET:Safe New Effective Muscle-Building Supplement

How Cruise Lines Fill AllThose Unsold CruiseCabins

How to Improve Memorywith Scientifically DesignedBrain Exercises

Back to previous page

Large separatist protestcalls on Spain torepatriate Basqueprisoners to jails close tohome

By Associated Press, Published: January 12

BILBAO, Spain — Tens of thousands of Basqueseparatist sympathizers marched in downtown Bilbao on Saturday calling for an amnesty that wouldallow ETA prisoners to serve out the remainder of their sentences in the northern Spanish region ratherthan in jails further afield.

Protesters marched to the city’s town hall behind banners saying “Human rights, resolution, peace.Basque prisoners back home.”

Some protesters waved Catalan flags in solidarity with another northern Spanish region with an importantseparatist movement. One large banner included a slogan in English, saying “Repatriate all Basqueprisoners.”

Spain has for more than two decades dispersed ETA prisoners under an amendment to the country’s 1975anti-terrorism law. One of the purposes of the law was to stop convicted Basque militants fromcommunicating easily among themselves to plan subversive strategies.

“A large percentage of the Basque nation has been at this demonstration to ask the Spanish government tomake a change,” 58-year-old protester Maite Perez de Mendiola said.

There are an estimated 700 ETA prisoners held in jails dotted around Spain and France, and only aroundtwo dozen are believed to be in Basque region prisons.

ETA has killed 829 people since the late 1960s in bombings and shootings to force the creation of aBasque homeland in northern Spain and southwest France.

The organization pledged in October 2011 to stop using weapons in its bid for Basque independence, butit stopped short of saying it would disarm and allow inspections of decommissioned weapons, ashappened with the IRA in Northern Ireland.

Inaki Olasolo, a spokesman for the protest, said the Spanish government could take advantage of “ahistoric opportunity to reach a solid peace with justice, with recognition and healing” if it allowedprisoners back.

Large separatist protest calls on Spain to repatriate Basque prisoners to ... http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/large-separatist-protest-...

1 / 2 14/01/2013 16:38

Olasolo also called for the release of those suffering from terminal illnesses, of which it is believed thereare three.

Although ETA — classified as a terrorist organization by Spain, the U.S. and the European Union — hasdeclared two previous “permanent” cease-fires, many observers think this time they mean it. Waves ofarrests in recent years have repeatedly weakened its structure and diminished its ability to carry outattacks or collect funds.

However, French police late Friday arrested two people who reportedly acknowledged being ETAmembers and one of the suspects was in possession of a firearm.

___

Associated Press writer Harold Heckle in Madrid contributed to this report.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast,rewritten or redistributed.

Sponsored Links

Here We Go Again!Another Top Rated Pick for 2013PenniesPicks.com/Stock-Report

LifeLock® Official SiteDon't Be a Victim of Identity Theft. Enroll w/ LifeLock & Get Protected.LifeLock.com

Growth Stock Pick (QWTR)Why water could be the next petroleum.nycfinancialtimes.com/QWTR/

Buy a link here

© The Washington Post Company

Large separatist protest calls on Spain to repatriate Basque prisoners to ... http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/large-separatist-protest-...

2 / 2 14/01/2013 16:38

Large Protest for Return of Basque PrisonersBy JORGE GARMABILBAO, Spain abcnews.go.com

Large separatist protest calls on Spain to repatriate Basque prisoners to jailsclose to home

The Associated Press

Tens of thousands of Basque separatist sympathizers marched in downtown Bilbao on Saturday callingfor an amnesty that would allow ETA prisoners to serve out the remainder of their sentences in thenorthern Spanish region rather than in jails further afield.

Protesters marched to the city's town hall behind banners saying "Human rights, resolution, peace.Basque prisoners back home."

Some protesters waved Catalan flags in solidarity with another northern Spanish region with an importantseparatist movement. One large banner included a slogan in English, saying "Repatriate all Basqueprisoners."

Spain has for more than two decades dispersed ETA prisoners under an amendment to the country's 1975anti-terrorism law. One of the purposes of the law was to stop convicted Basque militants fromcommunicating easily among themselves to plan subversive strategies.

"A large percentage of the Basque nation has been at this demonstration to ask the Spanish government tomake a change," 58-year-old protester Maite Perez de Mendiola said.




Inaki Olasolo, a spokesman for the protest, said the Spanish government could take advantage of "ahistoric opportunity to reach a solid peace with justice, with recognition and healing" if it allowedprisoners back.


Although ETA — classified as a terrorist organization by Spain, the U.S. and the European Union — hasdeclared two previous "permanent" cease-fires, many observers think this time they mean it. Waves ofarrests in recent years have repeatedly weakened its structure and diminished its ability to carry outattacks or collect funds.


———

Large Protest for Return of Basque Prisoners - ABC News http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/large-protest-return-ba...

1 / 2 14/01/2013 15:45


Copyright © 2013 ABC News Internet Ventures

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Large Protest for Return of Basque Prisoners - ABC News http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/large-protest-return-ba...

2 / 2 14/01/2013 15:45

Gaizka Bilbao / AP Photo

Basque pro-independence supporters hold a bannerreading "Basque prisoners" as they march calling for anamnesty that would allow ETA prisoners to serve out theremainder of their sentences in this northern region ratherthan in jails further afield, during a rally in Bilbao northernSpain, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013. Spain has for more thantwo decades dispersed ETA prisoners under anamendment to the country's 1975 anti-terrorism law. Thereare an estimated 700 ETA prisoners held in jails dottedaround Spain and France and only around two dozenbelieved to be in Basque region goals.

Posted on Sat, Jan. 12, 2013

Large protest for return of Basque prisoners

By JORGE GARMAAssociated Press

Tens of thousands of Basque separatistsympathizers marched in downtown Bilbao onSaturday calling for an amnesty that would allowETA prisoners to serve out the remainder oftheir sentences in the northern Spanish regionrather than in jails further afield.

Protesters marched to the city's town hallbehind banners saying "Human rights,resolution, peace. Basque prisoners backhome."

Some protesters waved Catalan flags insolidarity with another northern Spanish regionwith an important separatist movement. Onelarge banner included a slogan in English,saying "Repatriate all Basque prisoners."

Spain has for more than two decades dispersedETA prisoners under an amendment to thecountry's 1975 anti-terrorism law. One of thepurposes of the law was to stop convictedBasque militants from communicating easilyamong themselves to plan subversivestrategies.

"A large percentage of the Basque nation hasbeen at this demonstration to ask the Spanishgovernment to make a change," 58-year-oldprotester Maite Perez de Mendiola said.

There are an estimated 700 ETA prisoners heldin jails dotted around Spain and France, andonly around two dozen are believed to be in


ETA has killed 829 people since the late 1960s in bombings and shootings to force the creationof a Basque homeland in northern Spain and southwest France.

The organization pledged in October 2011 to stop using weapons in its bid for Basqueindependence, but it stopped short of saying it would disarm and allow inspections ofdecommissioned weapons, as happened with the IRA in Northern Ireland.

Large protest for return of Basque prisoners - 01/12/2013 | MiamiHeral... http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/12/v-print/3179295/large-protes...

1 / 2 14/01/2013 16:24

Inaki Olasolo, a spokesman for the protest, said the Spanish government could takeadvantage of "a historic opportunity to reach a solid peace with justice, with recognition andhealing" if it allowed prisoners back.

Olasolo also called for the release of those suffering from terminal illnesses, of which it isbelieved there are three.

Although ETA - classified as a terrorist organization by Spain, the U.S. and the EuropeanUnion - has declared two previous "permanent" cease-fires, many observers think this timethey mean it. Waves of arrests in recent years have repeatedly weakened its structure anddiminished its ability to carry out attacks or collect funds.

However, French police late Friday arrested two people who reportedly acknowledged beingETA members and one of the suspects was in possession of a firearm.

© 2013 Miami Herald Media Company. All Rights Reserved.http://www.miamiherald.com

Large protest for return of Basque prisoners - 01/12/2013 | MiamiHeral... http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/12/v-print/3179295/large-protes...

2 / 2 14/01/2013 16:24

Large protest for return of Basque prisonersBy JORGE GARMA Associated Press News FuzePosted: MercuryNews.com

BILBAO, Spain—Tens of thousands of Basque separatist sympathizers marched in downtown Bilbao onSaturday calling for an amnesty that would allow ETA prisoners to serve out the remainder of theirsentences in the northern Spanish region rather than in jails further afield.










Although ETA—classified as a terrorist organization by Spain, the U.S. and the European Union—hasdeclared two previous "permanent" cease-fires, many observers think this time they mean it. Waves ofarrests in recent years have repeatedly weakened its structure and diminished its ability to carry outattacks or collect funds.


———


Large protest for return of Basque prisoners - San Jose Mercury News http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_22361685/large-protes...

1 / 1 14/01/2013 15:49

Large protest for return of Basque prisonersBy JORGE GARMA Associated Press News FuzeCreated: Times-Standard.com

BILBAO, Spain—Tens of thousands of Basque separatist sympathizers marched in downtown Bilbao onSaturday calling for an amnesty that would allow ETA prisoners to serve out the remainder of theirsentences in the northern Spanish region rather than in jails further afield.










Although ETA—classified as a terrorist organization by Spain, the U.S. and the European Union—hasdeclared two previous "permanent" cease-fires, many observers think this time they mean it. Waves ofarrests in recent years have repeatedly weakened its structure and diminished its ability to carry outattacks or collect funds.


———


Large protest for return of Basque prisoners - Times-Standard Online http://www.times-standard.com/nationandworldnews/ci_22361685

1 / 1 14/01/2013 15:52

Home Local U.S./World Business Sports Entertainment Life C omics Photos Blogs Forums Traffic Shop Real Estate Index ▼

1 of 7

Tweet

0 0

Like

0

Download the seattlepi.com mobile

apps for iPhone and Android. Follow

us on Facebook and Twitter.

Large protest for return of Basque prisonersBy JORGE GARMA, Associated PressUpdated 12:53 pm, Saturday, January 12, 2013

VIEW: LARGER | HIDE

Basque pro-independence supporters march calling for an amnesty that would allow ETA prisoners to serve out the remainder oftheir sentences in this northern region rather than in jails further afield, during a rally in Bilbao northern Spain, Saturday, Jan. 12,2013. Spain has for more than two decades dispersed ETA prisoners under an amendment to the country's 1975 anti-terrorismlaw. There are an estimated 700 ETA prisoners held in jails dotted around Spain and France and only around two dozen believedto be in Basque region goals. Photo: Gaizka Bilbao

BILBAO, Spain (AP) — Tens of thousands of Basque

separatist sympathizers marched in downtown Bilbao

on Saturday calling for an amnesty that would allow

ETA prisoners to serve out the remainder of their

sentences in the northern Spanish region rather than in

jails further afield.

Protesters marched to the city's town hall behind

banners saying "Human rights, resolution, peace.

Basque prisoners back home."

Some protesters waved Catalan flags in solidarity with

another northern Spanish region with an important separatist movement. One large banner

included a slogan in English, saying "Repatriate all Basque prisoners."

Spain has for more than two decades dispersed ETA prisoners under an amendment to the

country's 1975 anti-terrorism law. One of the purposes of the law was to stop convicted Basque

militants from communicating easily among themselves to plan subversive strategies.

"A large percentage of the Basque nation has been at this demonstration to ask the Spanish

government to make a change," 58-year-old protester Maite Perez de Mendiola said.

FOLLOW US:

From Around the Web

Man’s Body Found After Four Years in His

Home (Bangstyle)

Man Charged in Trayvon Martin’s Death Sues

Register Sign InSeattle Traffic Seattle Weather Mobile

Seattle, WAOvercast

Monday, January 14, 2013

34°F

seattlepi.com Web Search by YAHOO! Businesses

Chapitre.com : LivresVente de Livres Neufs & Occasions 5% Réduc - Satisfait ou Remboursé

www.chapitre.com/Librairie_en_Ligne

Ads by Google

ShareShare

Larger | Smaller

Printable Version

Email This

Font

Ads by Google

International Development

Practical field training in Africa incollaboration with UNlCEF

www.CARLAInternational.org

Ads by Google

International Development

Practical field training in Africa in collaboration with UNlCEF

www.CARLAInternational.org

The Making of an Eco City

Story of transforming Huangbaiyu into China's first eco city.

www.ShannonMay.com

Win tickets to see WAR HORSE at the

Large protest for return of Basque prisoners - seattlepi.com http://www.seattlepi.com/news/world/article/Large-protest-for-return-...

1 / 3 14/01/2013 15:47

We RecommendFrom Around the Web

There are an estimated 700 ETA prisoners held in jails dotted around Spain and France, and

only around two dozen are believed to be in Basque region prisons.

ETA has killed 829 people since the late 1960s in bombings and shootings to force the creation

of a Basque homeland in northern Spain and southwest France.

The organization pledged in October 2011 to stop using weapons in its bid for Basque

independence, but it stopped short of saying it would disarm and allow inspections of

decommissioned weapons, as happened with the IRA in Northern Ireland.

Inaki Olasolo, a spokesman for the protest, said the Spanish government could take advantage of

"a historic opportunity to reach a solid peace with justice, with recognition and healing" if it

allowed prisoners back.

Olasolo also called for the release of those suffering from terminal illnesses, of which it is

believed there are three.

Although ETA — classified as a terrorist organization by Spain, the U.S. and the European Union

— has declared two previous "permanent" cease-fires, many observers think this time they mean

it. Waves of arrests in recent years have repeatedly weakened its structure and diminished its

ability to carry out attacks or collect funds.

However, French police late Friday arrested two people who reportedly acknowledged being

ETA members and one of the suspects was in possession of a firearm.

___


Comments

Most Read | Most Commented | Most Emailed

U.S./World Photos

No Pantsriders aroundthe world1-13-13

World news1-13-13

2012 NationalGeographicPhotographyContestwinners

NBC for Defamation (The New York Times)

Loneliest man in Ireland leaves deserted island

after 20 years (IrishCentral)

[?]

Arrests made in Los Angeles store hostage

drama

1.

Youngest 'Schindler's List' survivor dies at 832.

Jodie Foster comes out with shocking

announcement at the Golden Globes

3.

Bitter cold grips Calif., hiker rescued in forest4.

New Corvette bursts onto the road after 9 years5.

Weekend bird strikes force 2 jets to return to

JFK

6.

Trial of priest, ex-teacher to begin in Philly7.

Global Research from ISACountry Reports, Risk Forecasts, Economic Forecasts and more www.isa-world.com

Ads by Google

Printable Version Email This Like Tweet 0 0 ShareShare

Seattle drug dealer who saved guard faces

prison

Arrest after toddler eats chili powder and dies

Sgt. in Saudi military accused of Vegas child

rape

Former Seattle police officer pleads guilty to

killing wife

FAA: Teen broke rules with late-night plane

flight

Oops! Emma Watson Stopped at Airport,

Mistaken for an…

[what's this?]

Piers Morgan Shows Disgust While Interviewing

Gun Owners’ Advocate (The New York Times)

10 of the world's biggest unsolved mysteries

(Mother Nature Network)

Tragic 12-year-old Irish girl sought help from

center before death (IrishCentral)

Two Girls Abandoned By Mother on New York

City Street (Bangstyle)

Breaking: Jay Leno Reportedly Sold Car

Collection to Saudi Sheikh (CarBuzz)

Woman arrested for burning down 3,500-

year-old tree (Grist Magazine)

Large protest for return of Basque prisoners - seattlepi.com http://www.seattlepi.com/news/world/article/Large-protest-for-return-...

2 / 3 14/01/2013 15:47

The Sun HeraldNext Story >

UK won't let British veterans accept Russian medal

Large protest for return of Basque prisonersPublished: January 12, 2013

Basque pro-independence supporters hold abanner reading "Basque prisoners" as theymarch calling for an amnesty that would allowETA prisoners to serve out the remainder oftheir sentences in this northern region ratherthan in jails further afield, during a rally in Bilbaonorthern Spain, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013. Spainhas for more than two decades dispersed ETAprisoners under an amendment to the country's1975 anti-terrorism law. There are an estimated700 ETA prisoners held in jails dotted aroundSpain and France and only around two dozenbelieved to be in Basque region goals.

Gaizka Bilbao — AP Photo

By JORGE GARMA — Associated Press

BILBAO, Spain — Tens of thousands of Basque separatist sympathizers marched in downtown Bilbao onSaturday calling for an amnesty that would allow ETA prisoners to serve out the remainder of their sentencesin the northern Spanish region rather than in jails further afield.

Protesters marched to the city's town hall behind banners saying "Human rights, resolution, peace. Basqueprisoners back home."

BILBAO, Spain: Large protest for return of Basque prisoners | World |... http://www.sunherald.com/2013/01/12/4402396/large-protest-for-retur...

1 / 3 14/01/2013 15:43


Spain has for more than two decades dispersed ETA prisoners under an amendment to the country's 1975anti-terrorism law. One of the purposes of the law was to stop convicted Basque militants from communicatingeasily among themselves to plan subversive strategies.


There are an estimated 700 ETA prisoners held in jails dotted around Spain and France, and only around twodozen are believed to be in Basque region prisons.

ETA has killed 829 people since the late 1960s in bombings and shootings to force the creation of a Basquehomeland in northern Spain and southwest France.

The organization pledged in October 2011 to stop using weapons in its bid for Basque independence, but itstopped short of saying it would disarm and allow inspections of decommissioned weapons, as happened withthe IRA in Northern Ireland.

Inaki Olasolo, a spokesman for the protest, said the Spanish government could take advantage of "a historicopportunity to reach a solid peace with justice, with recognition and healing" if it allowed prisoners back.

Olasolo also called for the release of those suffering from terminal illnesses, of which it is believed there arethree.

Although ETA - classified as a terrorist organization by Spain, the U.S. and the European Union - hasdeclared two previous "permanent" cease-fires, many observers think this time they mean it. Waves of arrestsin recent years have repeatedly weakened its structure and diminished its ability to carry out attacks or collectfunds.

However, French police late Friday arrested two people who reportedly acknowledged being ETA membersand one of the suspects was in possession of a firearm.


Back to Top< Previous Story

Violence plagues Tunisia's politics 2 years laterNext Story >

UK won't let British veterans accept Russian medal

Email Newsletters >Manage newsletter subscriptions

Tablets >Apps and services for tablet devices

Mobile >Apps and services for your mobile phone

Social Media >

BILBAO, Spain: Large protest for return of Basque prisoners | World |... http://www.sunherald.com/2013/01/12/4402396/large-protest-for-retur...

2 / 3 14/01/2013 15:43

Print Close

Print Close

Home Video Politics U.S. Opinion Entertainment Tech Science Health Travel Lifestyle World Sports Weather

Privacy Terms

Large separatist protest calls on Spain to repatriate Basqueprisoners to jails close to homePublished January 12, 2013 | Associated Press

BILBAO, Spain – Tens of thousands of Basque separatist sympathizers have marched in downtown Bilbao calling for an amnesty that

would allow ETA prisoners to serve out the remainder of their sentences in the northern Spanish region rather than in jails further

afield.

Protesters marched to the city's town hall behind banners saying "Human rights, resolution, peace. Basque prisoners back home."

Some protesters waved Catalan flags Saturday in solidarity with another northern Spanish region with an important separatist

movement.

Spain has for more than two decades dispersed ETA prisoners under an amendment to the country's 1975 anti-terrorism law. There

are an estimated 700 ETA prisoners held in jails dotted around Spain and France, and only around two dozen are believed to be in


URL

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/01/12/large-separatist-protest-calls-on-spain-to-repatriate-basque-prisoners-to-jails/

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. © 2013 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. All market data delayed 20 minutes.

Large separatist protest calls on Spain to repatriate Basque prisoners to ... http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/01/12/large-separatist-protest-cal...

1 / 1 14/01/2013 16:42

Printing sponsored by:

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing

to our use of cookies. Find out more here

Large protest for return of BasqueprisonersAP foreign, Saturday January 12 2013

JORGE GARMA

Associated Press= BILBAO, Spain (AP) — Tens of thousands of Basque separatist

sympathizers marched in downtown Bilbao on Saturday calling for an amnesty that

would allow ETA prisoners to serve out the remainder of their sentences in the northern

Spanish region rather than in jails further afield.

Protesters marched to the city's town hall behind banners saying "Human rights,

resolution, peace. Basque prisoners back home."

Some protesters waved Catalan flags in solidarity with another northern Spanish region

with an important separatist movement. One large banner included a slogan in English,

saying "Repatriate all Basque prisoners."

Spain has for more than two decades dispersed ETA prisoners under an amendment to

the country's 1975 anti-terrorism law. One of the purposes of the law was to stop

convicted Basque militants from communicating easily among themselves to plan

subversive strategies.

"A large percentage of the Basque nation has been at this demonstration to ask the

Spanish government to make a change," 58-year-old protester Maite Perez de Mendiola

said.

There are an estimated 700 ETA prisoners held in jails dotted around Spain and France,

and only around two dozen are believed to be in Basque region prisons.

ETA has killed 829 people since the late 1960s in bombings and shootings to force the

creation of a Basque homeland in northern Spain and southwest France.

The organization pledged in October 2011 to stop using weapons in its bid for Basque

independence, but it stopped short of saying it would disarm and allow inspections of

decommissioned weapons, as happened with the IRA in Northern Ireland.

Inaki Olasolo, a spokesman for the protest, said the Spanish government could take

advantage of "a historic opportunity to reach a solid peace with justice, with recognition

and healing" if it allowed prisoners back.

Olasolo also called for the release of those suffering from terminal illnesses, of which it

is believed there are three.

Although ETA — classified as a terrorist organization by Spain, the U.S. and the

European Union — has declared two previous "permanent" cease-fires, many observers

think this time they mean it. Waves of arrests in recent years have repeatedly weakened

its structure and diminished its ability to carry out attacks or collect funds.

However, French police late Friday arrested two people who reportedly acknowledged

being ETA members and one of the suspects was in possession of a firearm.

---


Large protest for return of Basque prisoners | World news | The Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/10608348/print

1 / 2 14/01/2013 17:19

Large separatist protest calls on Spain to repatriateBasque prisoners to jails close to home

BY JORGE GARMA, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS JANUARY 12, 2013

Basque pro-independence supporters march calling for an amnesty that would allow ETA prisoners to serve out the remainder oftheir sentences in this northern region rather than in jails further afield, during a rally in Bilbao northern Spain, Saturday, Jan. 12,2013. Spain has for more than two decades dispersed ETA prisoners under an amendment to the country's 1975 anti-terrorism law.There are an estimated 700 ETA prisoners held in jails dotted around Spain and France and only around two dozen believed to bein Basque region goals. (AP Photo/Gaizka Bilbao)

BILBAO, Spain - Tens of thousands of Basque separatist sympathizers marched in downtown Bilbao

on Saturday calling for an amnesty that would allow ETA prisoners to serve out the remainder of their

sentences in the northern Spanish region rather than in jails further afield.

Protesters marched to the city's town hall behind banners saying "Human rights, resolution, peace.

Basque prisoners back home."

Some protesters waved Catalan flags in solidarity with another northern Spanish region with an

important separatist movement. One large banner included a slogan in English, saying "Repatriate all

Basque prisoners."

Spain has for more than two decades dispersed ETA prisoners under an amendment to the country's

1975 anti-terrorism law. One of the purposes of the law was to stop convicted Basque militants from

communicating easily among themselves to plan subversive strategies.

"A large percentage of the Basque nation has been at this demonstration to ask the Spanish

government to make a change," 58-year-old protester Maite Perez de Mendiola said.

There are an estimated 700 ETA prisoners held in jails dotted around Spain and France, and only

Large separatist protest calls on Spain to repatriate Basque prisoners to ... http://www.montrealgazette.com/story_print.html?id=7811850&sponsor=

1 / 3 14/01/2013 16:23

Previous Next

Basque pro-independence supporters march calling for an amnesty that would allow ETA prisoners to serve out the remainderof their sentences in this northern region rather than in jails further afield, during a rally in Bilbao northern Spain, Saturday, Jan.12, 2013. Spain has for more than two decades dispersed ETA prisoners under an amendment to the country's 1975anti-terrorism law. There are an estimated 700 ETA prisoners held in jails dotted around Spain and France and only around two

around two dozen are believed to be in Basque region prisons.

ETA has killed 829 people since the late 1960s in bombings and shootings to force the creation of a

Basque homeland in northern Spain and southwest France.

The organization pledged in October 2011 to stop using weapons in its bid for Basque independence,

but it stopped short of saying it would disarm and allow inspections of decommissioned weapons, as

happened with the IRA in Northern Ireland.

Inaki Olasolo, a spokesman for the protest, said the Spanish government could take advantage of "a

historic opportunity to reach a solid peace with justice, with recognition and healing" if it allowed

prisoners back.

Olasolo also called for the release of those suffering from terminal illnesses, of which it is believed

there are three.

Although ETA — classified as a terrorist organization by Spain, the U.S. and the European Union —

has declared two previous "permanent" cease-fires, many observers think this time they mean it.

Waves of arrests in recent years have repeatedly weakened its structure and diminished its ability to

carry out attacks or collect funds.

However, French police late Friday arrested two people who reportedly acknowledged being ETA

members and one of the suspects was in possession of a firearm.

___


Large separatist protest calls on Spain to repatriate Basque prisoners to ... http://www.montrealgazette.com/story_print.html?id=7811850&sponsor=

2 / 3 14/01/2013 16:23

Notícia publicada em 12/01/13 - 20h04 Atualizada em 12/01/13 - 20h10 Impressa em 15/01/13 - 11h50

Milhares de bascos se reúnem parapedir anistia a prisioneiros do ETAManifestação em Bilbao reivindicou que presos sejam transferidos para o norte da Espanha

AP

BILBAO, Espanha — Dezenas de milhares de bascos separatistas se uniram no centro de Bilbao, neste sábado,para uma marcha que pediu anistia aos prisioneiros do ETA, para que eles cumpram o resto de suas penas naregião norte da Espanha, e não em prisões mais distantes.

Os manifestantes marcharam em direção à prefeitura da cidade, equanto empunhavam cartazes que diziam“direitos humanos, resolução, paz. Prisioneiros bascos de volta para casa”.

Alguns manifestantes agitavam bandeiras catalãs, em solidariedade com outra região do norte de Espanha quetambém tem um importante movimento separatista.

A Espanha costuma dispersar os prisioneiros do ETA há mais de 20 anos, sob uma emenda da lei anti-terrorismo dopaís, criada em 1975. Há uma estimativa de que, aproximadamente, 700 prisioneiros do ETA estão detidos emprisões espalhadas pela Espanha e França. Acredita-se que apenas cerca de duas dezenas deles estão em prisõesda região basca.

URL: http://glo.bo/V1J5tQ

Milhares de bascos se reúnem para pedir anistia a prisioneiros do ETA http://oglobo.globo.com/mundo/milhares-de-bascos-se-reunem-para-pe...

1 / 1 15/01/2013 14:50

Text size

12/01/2013Thousands protest in Bilbao over conditions forETA prisonersTens of thousands of supporters of incarcerated ETA members took to the streets of Bilbao Saturday to push for the transfer ofprisoners to jails nearer their homes -- a key demand made by the Basque separatist group when it laid down arms in 2011.

Shouting "Independence!" and "Amnesty now!" supporters at the march which is held every year lined the city centre for about akilometre.

On the sides of vans in the procession were marked the long distances prisoners are living from their homes.

Aurore Martin, a French Basque activist released on bail in Spain on December 22 after being held on charges of participating ina terrorist organisation, told AFP she was "very impressed at the size of the protest".

Martin had allegedly taken part in public meetings in the country as a member of the Basque nationalist party Batasuna.

Led by a red bus emblazoned with the slogan "Euskal Tresoak Euskal Herrira" -- meaning Basque prisoners to the Basquecountry -- the families of prisoners walked, clasping a large torch symbolising their hope of having their relatives return home.

"I hope that the Spanish government will act but it is hard," said 75-year-old Begonia Macazadar whose cousin is in jail nearParis.

"We will not have peace as long as this issue of prisoners remains unresolved as it is the key to solving the conflict."

According to the Basque prisoners' association Herrira which organised the march, 607 of ETA's 700 members are behind barsin France, Spain, Portugal and the UK. On average, they live 750 kilometres from their homes, the association said.

Thirteen prisoners are "seriously ill", Herrira added.

Classed as a terrorist group by the European Union, ETA is blamed for hundreds of deaths during a four-decade campaign ofshootings and bombings for an independent Basque homeland in northern Spain and southern France.

Last year, it said it had abandoned violence but has yet to formally disarm. The Spanish government has refused to hold talkswith its leaders.

Last year's march in Bilbao drew 110,000, according to organisers.

© 2013 AFP

Expatica Tools

Classifieds Forums House Search Dating Job Search A-Z ListingsAsk the

Expert Newsletter

Mon, 14 January 2013

Thousands protest in Bilbao over conditions for ETA prisoners < Spani... http://www.expatica.com/es/news/local_news/thousands-protest-in-bil...

1 / 1 14/01/2013 16:13

ACTUALITÉ ÉCONOMIE FINANCE PERSO ENTREPRISEÉTUDIANT STYLES TENDANCES DÉCO

Identifiez-vous

Créer un compte

Actualité Photos Vidéos Blogs Express Yourself

À la une Politique Monde Economie Société Education Médias High-Tech Sport Sciences et santé Enquête Régions Immobilier

Actualité Monde

MADRID

Marche à Bilbao pour exiger le retour des prisonniers de

l'ETAPar AFP, publié le 12/01/2013 à 20:57, mis à jour à 20:57

MADRID - Aux cris d'"Indépendance", "amnistie maintenant", des dizaines demilliers de manifestants ont défilé sous la pluie samedi à Bilbao pour exiger leretour des prisonniers de l'ETA au Pays basque, une exigence posée égalementpar l'organisation séparatiste, qui a renoncé à la lutte armée en octobre 2011,pour déposer les armes.

Des dizaines de milliers de personnes manifestent le 12 janvier 2013 à Bilbao pour demander le retour des

prisonniers de l'ETA au Pays basque

afp.com/Rafa Rivas

Emploi Culture

Toutes les dépêches

Golden Globes: "Lincoln"

terrassé par "Argo"

Mali: les jihadistes

prennent une ville dans

l'Ouest, menacent la

France

Virgin placé en

redressement judiciaire

"C'est une manifestation colossale, plus importante que celle de

l'année dernière", a affirmé l'un des orateurs au micro, à la fin du

défilé. Cette manifestation annuelle en faveur du rapprochement des

prisonniers basques et d'une solution pour le Pays basque avait

réuni 110.000 personnes, selon les organisateurs, le 7 janvier 2012.

"Je suis très impressionnée par l'importance de la manifestation"

organisée par l'association de défense des prisonniers Herrira

("Vers le pays" en langue basque), a déclaré à l'AFP au début de la

marche la militante basque française Aurore Martin qui participait au

défilé mais s'est refusée à de plus amples commentaires.

Votre recherche OK

L'Express L'Expansion Votre Argent L'Entreprise Côté Maison L'Etudiant S'abonner à L'Express : offre flash

Marche à Bilbao pour exiger le retour des prisonniers de l'ETA - LExp... http://www.lexpress.fr/actualites/1/monde/marche-a-bilbao-pour-exiger...

1 / 4 14/01/2013 16:30

1/6

DERNIÈRE MINUTE

Tout le fil de l'info

Suivez l'actualité avec L'Express

LES + LUS1. EN DIRECT. Mali: des raids aériens

français en cours contre les jihadistes45

2. EN DIRECT. Mariage gay: entre 100 000 et500 000 manifestants

346

3. Mali: "Les islamistes ont subi de lourdespertes"

25

4. Depardieu critique l'opposition russe et louePoutine

35

5. Mali: les frappes françaises ont coincé lesjihadistes

6

LES + COMMENTÉS1. EN DIRECT. Mariage gay: entre 100 000 et

500 000 manifestants346

2. Manifestation contre le mariage gay: etmaintenant, que vont-ils faire?

114

3. Un référendum sur le mariage homoserait-il inconstitutionnel?

104

4. EN DIRECT. Mali: la France "en guerrecontre le terrorisme"

81

5. Manif contre le mariage gay: des Marianne,des polos roses et du Gangnam Style

41

Les shebab disent avoir

décidé du "sort" de l'otage

français en Somalie Denis

Allex

Automobile: GM perd sa

place de n°1 au profit de

Toyota mais Opel pas à

vendre

La garde des Sceaux

critique de "fausses

informations" sur le

mariage homosexuel

Le procès de Berlusconi

privé de sa vedette Ruby

Affaire Karachi: le parquet

fait appel de la décision

de juges d'enquêter sur

Sarkozy

Espagne: les salariés

d'Iberia manifestent contre

le plan de restructuration

Suivez L'Express

Sur Facebook

Like 105,135 people like this.

Sign Up to see what your

friends like.

Sur Twitter

Suivre 293K abonnés

Et aussi :

Son arrestation en novembre en France et sa remise aux autorités

en Espagne où elle était poursuivie pour avoir participé à une

réunion interdite avait été vivement critiquée au Pays basque. Elle a

été placée en liberté conditionnelle en Espagne et a pu regagner la

France le 22 décembre.

Les distances des prisons où sont dispersés les détenus basques

étaient inscrites sur des camionnettes, l'inscription "Euskal Tresoak

Euskal Herrira" (Prisonniers basques au pays basque),était gravée

sur un bus à deux étages rouge. Juste derrière, des dizaines de

familles de prisonniers s'étaient rangées en quatre files, les

manifestants en tête du cortège portant une lampe symbolisant

l'attente du retour de leur proche emprisonné.

"Tant que le problème des prisonniers n'est pas résolu, il n'y aura

pas de paix parce qu'ils sont la clef de la solution au conflit", a

affirmé Begonia Macazadar, 75 ans, dont le cousin est détenu à

Paris.

"Le gouvernement ne va pas bouger mais c'est une manière de faire

pression.", disait aussi Yosu Ramoz, un étudiant de 20 ans,

pessimiste comme de nombreux autres, Madrid et Paris affirmant

refuser toute négociation et multipliant les arrestations.

Seuls quelques dizaines de membres parmi les 700 que compte

l'ETA sont toujours en liberté. "607 sont dans les prisons de France

et d'Espagne, dispersés à 750 kilomètres en moyenne de chez eux".

Certains "se trouvent aussi emprisonnés en Angleterre, Écosse,

Irlande du Nord et Portugal. Et 13 prisonniers sont atteints d'une

maladie grave", selon Herrira.

"Nous exigeons des gouvernements français et espagnols qu'ils en

finissent une bonne fois pour toute avec la politique de dispersion et

qu'ils ramènent tous les prisonniers politiques basques au pays

basque, qu'ils libèrent les prisonniers gravement malades, qu'ils

abrogent toutes les mesures qui entrainent de facto la prison à vie",

a affirmé l'un des orateurs.

La manifestation a été autorisée par l'Audience nationale, qui a

rejeté la demande d'interdiction de l'Association des victimes du

terrorisme (AVT).

Le défilé a reçu le soutien en Espagne de la coalition

indépendantiste de gauche EH Bildu, deuxième force régionale au

Pays basque. En revanche, le Parti nationaliste basque (PNV) qui

dirige la région autonome l'a boudé, estimant que "le travail

silencieux " pouvait être plus efficace que les " discours et les

manifestations".

Au Pays basque français, les députés du Modem (centre-droit) Jean

Lassalle et socialiste Colette Capdevielle des Pyrénées-Atlantiques

ont appelé à manifester. C'est la première fois que des élus du PS

(au pouvoir en France) appellent à manifester à Bilbao.

"Le règlement de la question des prisonniers reste une des clés du

conflit", a affirmé à l'AFP Colette Capdevielle.

Depuis l'annonce par l'ETA de son renoncement définitif à la

violence le 20 octobre 2011, plusieurs pas ont été franchis.

Le 3 janvier, le parti nationaliste basque Batasuna, considéré

comme proche d'ETA, interdit en Espagne, a annoncé sa dissolution

en France, tout comme avant lui le mouvement de défense des

prisonniers basques Askatasuna (Liberté), interdit en Espagne

depuis 2002. Le mouvement de jeunesse radicale basque Segi,

considéré comme la pépinière de l'ETA, a annoncé qu'il s'était

dissout en juin.

L'ETA, placée sur la liste des organisations terroristes par les

Etats-Unis et l'Union européenne, est tenue pour responsable de la

mort de 829 personnes. Son dernier attentat sur le sol espagnol

remonte à août 2009.

Par

16h24 Manif contre le mariage gay: la très bonnejournée de Copé

16h20 Gérard Lanvin et les impôts: "Ok mais qu'on neme prenne pas pour une pute"

16h13 Plan Vigipirate: ce qu'il faut savoir sur le niveau"rouge renforcé"

16h07 Mali: les jihadistes prennent une ville dansl'Ouest, menacent la France

Marche à Bilbao pour exiger le retour des prisonniers de l'ETA - LExp... http://www.lexpress.fr/actualites/1/monde/marche-a-bilbao-pour-exiger...

2 / 4 14/01/2013 16:30

Piden en Bilbao liberar a quienescumplieron tres cuartas partes de sucondena

Miles exigen trasladar apresos de ETA al PaísVasco

Multitudinaria manifestación de apoyo a los presos de la organización armada Foto Reuters

Periódico La JornadaDomingo 8 de enero de 2012, p. 18

Bilbao, 7 de enero. Varios miles de personas se manifestaron hoy en Bilbao parapedir el traslado de “los presos vascos a Euskal Herria”, en la primera marcha deeste tipo organizada después del anuncio, en octubre, del abandono de la luchaarmada etarra.

“Hay muchos más que el 22 de octubre, en la que marcharon 65 milpersonas” en Bilbao, dos días después del anuncio de ETA de que ponía fin a laviolencia, declaró uno de los organizadores, Benat Zarrabeitia.

Por su parte, la prensa española estimó en varias decenas de miles losparticipantes en la marcha por los presos vascoss.

Detrás de la banderola que abría la marcha podía leerse en vasco y en inglés“repatriad a todos los presos vascos”. Al menos 3 mil miembros de familias dedetenidos marchaban. Unos 700 detenidos de ETA están en distintas cárcelesespañolas y francesas.

Esta manifestación por los presos vascos se realiza cada año en la mismafecha en Bilbao, pero este año adquiría un cariz particular, debido a que es la

0

AFP

5

0

0

La Jornada: Miles exigen trasladar a presos de ETA al País Vasco http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2012/01/08/opinion/018n1mun

1 / 3 14/01/2013 16:41

primera desde el anuncio de ETA, hecho el pasado 20 de octubre, de que queabandonaba la lucha armada, tras 40 años y 829 muertos.

La Jornada: Miles exigen trasladar a presos de ETA al País Vasco http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2012/01/08/opinion/018n1mun

2 / 3 14/01/2013 16:41

14. Jan. 2013, 17:10Diesen Artikel finden Sie online unter

http://www.welt.de/112730294

afp.com

12.01.13 Proteste

Basken verlangen auch Amnestie und Unabhängigkeit

Im nordspanischen Bilbao haben am Samstag mehrere zehntausend Menschen für die

Verlegung der inhaftierten Mitglieder der baskischen Untergrundorganisation ETA

demonstriert. Die Teilnehmer der Kundgebung im Zentrum Bilbaos skandierten auch

"Unabhängigkeit" und "Amnestie jetzt". Laut Aktivisten sind von 700 ETA-Mitgliedern mehr

als 600 inhaftiert, die meisten in Frankreich und Spanien, einige aber auch in Großbritannien

und Portugal. In Bilbao wird alljährlich Anfang Januar eine Demonstration für die Rechte der

Häftlinge der baskischen Untergrundorganisation veranstaltet.

© Axel Springer AG 2012. Alle Rechte vorbehalten

Zehntausende Demonstranten fordern Verlegung von

ETA-Häftlingen

Proteste : Zehntausende Demonstranten fordern Verlegung von ETA-Hä... http://www.welt.de/newsticker/news2/article112730294/Zehntausende...

1 / 1 14/01/2013 17:10

Protests in Bilbao to return Basque prisonersTags: Society, News, World, Basques, Eta, demonstration, prison

Jan 13, 2013 08:50 Moscow Time

Photo: AFP

A demonstration in defense of the rights of prisoners - members of the group ETA has taken place inBilbao, the capital of the Basque region of northern Spain.

According to organizers, taking part were more than 110 thousand people. Demonstrators called on thegovernments of Spain and France to transfer prisoners who are ETA members to prisons, located in the Basquecountry.

In their view, this should be done not so much for the prisoners, but for their families, who are forced to travel tothe other end of the country or another state to visit a family member.

In addition, there were proposals to release on parole those who had already served two-thirds or three-quartersof the term.

Voice of Russia, TASS

Protests in Bilbao to return Basque prisoners : Voice of Russia http://english.ruvr.ru/_print/100897204.html

1 / 1 14/01/2013 16:56

Grande manifestação em Bilbao pelo retorno de prisi oneirosdo ETA

AFP – sáb, 12 de jan de 2013

Aos gritos de "independência" e "anistia agora", milhares de pessoas se reuniram neste sábado em Bilbao para pedir o

retorno dos prisioneiros do ETA ao País Basco, uma exigência também apresentada pela própria organização separatista,

que renunciou à luta armada em outubro de 2011.

"Estou muito impressionada com a magnitude da manifestação", organizada pela associação de defesa de prisioneiros

Herrira ("Para o país", no idioma basco), disse à AFP a militante basca francesa Aurore Martin, que participou do protesto.

A prisão de Martin em novembro do ano passado na França e seu envio às autoridades espanholas, onde era requerida por

participar de uma reunião proibida, foi fortemente criticada no País Basco. Martin ganhou liberdade condicional na

Espanha e pode voltar à França em 22 de dezembro.

Dezenas de familiares de detidos bascos marchavam carregando uma enorme vela que simbolizava a espera por seu

retorno.

"Espero que o governo espanhol se mova. Enquanto o problema dos presos não for solucionado, a paz nunca chegará,

porque essa é a chave da solução do conflito", afirmou Begonia Macazadas, de 75 anos, que tem um primo detido em Paris.

Apenas alguns membros, dentre os 700 militantes do ETA, estão atualmente em liberdade. De acordo com o Herrira, "607

estão em prisões na França e na Espanha, dispersos a uma distância de cerca de 750 quilômetros entre eles".

"Também há prisioneiros bascos na Inglaterra, Escócia, Irlanda do Norte e Portugal. Treze deles estão gravemente feridos",

segundo a associação.

© 2013 AFP

Copyright © 2013 Yahoo! Todos os direitos reservados. | Yahoo! News Network | /

DESCUBRA ODESCUBRA O

YAHOO! COMYAHOO! COM

SEUS AMIGOSSEUS AMIGOS

Entrar

YAHOO! NOTICIAS

Grande manifestação em Bilbao pelo retorno de prisioneiros do ETA -... http://br.noticias.yahoo.com/grande-manifestação-bilbao-retorno-prisio...

1 / 1 14/01/2013 16:17

Advertisement

Print this article | Close this window

Marchers want better deal for Basque prisonersPublished: January 14, 2013 - 3:00AM

BILBAO: Thousands of Spaniards have marched demandingenhanced rights for imprisoned members of the terrorist Basqueseparatist organisation ETA.

The event, in the Basque city of Bilbao, was attended by severalhigh-ranking regional politicians and celebrities such as PilarBardem - mother of Oscar winner Javier Bardem - and formerUNESCO secretary-general Federico Mayor Zaragoza.

Several French politicians and members of the Irish Republicanparty Sinn Fein also participated.

Organised by an initiative for prisoners known as Herrira, theprotest slogan was ''human rights, determination, peace.'' Noviolence was reported.

Herrira has demanded that more than 700 ETA prisoners betransferred to prisons in Basque country to make it easier for their relatives to visit. Currently, the prisoners are spreadaround facilities throughout Spain to make it more difficult for them to communicate with one another.

ETA waged an armed campaign for an independent Basque homeland from 1959 until 2011, when it announced the endof its armed resistance.

Deutsche Presse-Agentur

This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/world/marchers-want-better-deal-for-basque-prisoners-20130113-2cnk8.html

Print Article: Marchers want better deal for Basque prisoners http://www.smh.com.au/action/printArticle?id=3949640

1 / 1 14/01/2013 17:06

Thousands march in Spain for ETA prisoners

THOUSANDS of Spaniards have marched demanding enhanced rights for imprisoned members of theterrorist Basque separatist organisation ETA.

The event, in the Basque city of Bilbao, was attended by several high-ranking regional politicians andcelebrities like Pilar Bardem - mother of Oscar winner Javier Bardem - and former UNESCO secretary generalFederico Mayor Zaragoza.

Several French politicians and members of the Irish Republican party Sinn Fein also participated.

Organised by an initiative for prisoners known as Herrira, the protest slogan was "human rights, determination,peace." No violence was reported.

Herrira has demanded that more than 700 ETA prisoners be transferred to prisons in Basque country to make iteasier for their relatives to visit. Currently, the prisoners are spread around facilities throughout Spain to makeit more difficult for them to communicate with one another.

ETA waged an armed campaign for an independent Basque homeland from 1959 until 2011, when itannounced the end of its armed resistance. However, the group has neither surrendered its weapons ordissolved its leadership structures.

Nonetheless, Spanish authorities say the group is in its "end phase."

THE AUSTRALIAN

AAP JANUARY 13, 2013 7:35AM

Thousands march in Spain for ETA prisoners | The Australian http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/thousands-march...

1 / 1 14/01/2013 16:34

News.com.au (http://www.news.com.au)

World Breaking News (/breaking-news/world)

Thousands march in Spain for ETA prisonersFrom: AAPJanuary 13, 2013 7:35AM

THOUSANDS of Spaniards have marched demanding enhanced rights for imprisoned members of theterrorist Basque separatist organisation ETA.

The event, in the Basque city of Bilbao, was attended by several high-ranking regional politicians andcelebrities like Pilar Bardem - mother of Oscar winner Javier Bardem - and former UNESCO secretarygeneral Federico Mayor Zaragoza.

Several French politicians and members of the Irish Republican party Sinn Fein also participated.

Organised by an initiative for prisoners known as Herrira, the protest slogan was "human rights,determination, peace." No violence was reported.

Herrira has demanded that more than 700 ETA prisoners be transferred to prisons in Basque country tomake it easier for their relatives to visit. Currently, the prisoners are spread around facilities throughoutSpain to make it more difficult for them to communicate with one another.

ETA waged an armed campaign for an independent Basque homeland from 1959 until 2011, when itannounced the end of its armed resistance. However, the group has neither surrendered its weapons ordissolved its leadership structures.

Nonetheless, Spanish authorities say the group is in its "end phase."

Copyright 2013 News Limited. All times AEDT (GMT +11:00).

Thousands march in Spain for ETA prisoners | News.com.au http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/world/thousands-march-in-spa...

1 / 1 14/01/2013 16:21

ScheduleAudio StreamWatch Live

text only versionBreaking NewsU Report

Home News Programs Documentaries US DESK ��ر��

Sunday Jan 13, 2013 03:09 AM GMT Saudi king appoints Saud bin Nayef as Eastern Provi nce governor

Email PrintHome > Europe > EU

Basques hold demo in Bilbao over ETAprisoners’ conditions

Tens of thousands of people held a march in Bibao on January 12, 2013.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators have taken to th estreets of Bilbao to call on the Spanish government toallow ETA prisoners to serve the rest of their pris onterms in jails nearer to their homes.

The ETA supporters shouted "Independence!" and "Amnestynow!" in a massive demonstration, which was held in Bilbao,the capital of the Spanish province of Biscay in theautonomous community of the Basque Country, on Saturday,AFP reported.

The demonstrators and the prisoners’ family members wereled by a bus emblazoned with the slogan "Euskal PresoakEuskal Herrira" -- which means Basque prisoners to theBasque country.

"We will not have peace as long as this issue ofprisoners remains unresolved as it is the key tosolving the conflict," one of the protesters said.

French Basque activist Aurore Martin said he was "veryimpressed at the size of the protest."

On December 22, 2012, Martin was arrested on charges ofbelonging to a terrorist group but was later released on bail.

According to the Basque prisoners' association, Herrira, 607of the 700 ETA members are in prisons in France, Spain,Portugal, and Britain.

Listed as a terrorist organization by Spain, the United States,and the European Union, ETA is held accountable for thedeaths of over 800 people in bombings and shootings sincethe late 1960s.

Latest From Europe

Germany backs Franceintervention in Mali» Read more

Georgia sets free 3,000prisoners» Read more

France can use Algeria airspaceon Mali» Read more

Parisians hold anti-gay marriagerally» Read more

Vatican ‘surprised’ by credit cardblock» Read more

Spain health workers plan freshprotests» Read more

» See more articles

Poll

Why are Iran’s media attacked by Zionistlobbies and Western governments?

1) Because Iranian media spread liesabout the West and Israel.

2) Because Iranian media reveal the truefaces of the West and Israel.

3) Because Iranian media do not followthe mainstream media’s news agenda.

SUBMITSUBMITSUBMITSUBMIT

Today Last Week Last Month

Most Read Most Commented

Most Shared Most Watched

‘Russia will not bow to USpressure’» Read more

Syria forces stiffly confrontmilitants» Read more

Pakistan Shia killingUS-Wahhabi legacy» Read more

Russia says Assad removal‘impossible’» Read more

'US had role in failed Frenchoperation'» Read more

'Europe will ditch Israel soonerthan US'» Read more

1

Sun Jan 13, 2013 3:0AM GMT

20

0

PressTV - Basques hold demo in Bilbao over ETA prisoners’ conditions http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/01/13/283243/demo-for-eta-prisoners...

1 / 2 14/01/2013 16:14

Comments (1) Add Comment Click Here

Reply

The group is seeking the creation of a Basque homeland innorthern Spain and southwest France.

NT/HGL

Note: The views expressed and the links provided on our comment pages are the personal views of individual contributors and do notnecessarily reflect the views of Press TV.

AndreaJan 13, 2013 11:42 AM

The biggest problem is the that most part of prisioners are not ETA members but independentistpolilical association members. They are in prison becouse their political opinion. And also the Spanishlaw says that people in jail have to be near their families and houses, but the basque politicalprisioners are in jails all over the state. Some of them at 1000 Km from their families, who are avoid totravel around the country every week.

Click to Rate Rating 0

RSS SMS

Mobile TV Watch Live

Audio Stream Schedule

U Report Email News

Stay Connected

Iran Middle East

Britain United States

Asia-Pacific Africa

Europe Americas

Arts Business

Health Sci-Tech

Society Sports

News Follow Us

© Copyright 2012 Press TV. All rights reserved. | About PressTV | Contact Us | Frequencies | Privacy Policy

0 Like 2120 0 169

PressTV - Basques hold demo in Bilbao over ETA prisoners’ conditions http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/01/13/283243/demo-for-eta-prisoners...

2 / 2 14/01/2013 16:14

An air strike on a rebel-held

town southwest of the Syrian

capital Damascus has left 20

people…

The Iranian hostage drama

Argo was chosen as best

movie drama and Ben Affleck

was named best…

Shots fired at Greece’s ruling partyheadquartersGunshots have been fired at the headquarters of

Greece's governing New Democracy party in the

capital, Athens. The building was attacked in the

early hours of this morning by two men on a…

Depardieu flies the flag for Putin ontelevisionThe French actor turned Russian national Gerard

Depardieu has taken to the TV in Russia to nail his

colours to the mast. Depardieu told russian

television that the country's opposition is no…

Ruby in court for Berlusconi sex case

Huge turnout for French anti-gaymarriage rally

Northern Ireland: Peace rally againstlatest violence

Emergency measures as Beijing gasps

First news on the health of Hugo Chavez

DailyMotion

TOP STORIES

Somali rebels claim second French commando dies of wounds

More international news…

Somali rebels claim a

second French soldier

has died from gunshot

wounds after a failed

attempt to rescue a

French agent. The al

Qaeda-linked militants

put up fierce resistance

when French forces went

into southern Somalia by

helicopter under the

cover of darkness on

Saturday…

Deadly air strike kills 20 near Damascus

Golden night at Golden Globes for Argo

Thousands march to defend ETA prisoners | euronews, world news http://www.euronews.com/2012/01/07/thousands-march-to-defend-eta-...

1 / 1 14/01/2013 16:19

Date 12.01.2013

Share Send Facebook Twitter google+ linkedin stumble Digg reddit del.icio.us

Newsvine

Feedback: Send us an e-mail. Please include your name and country in your reply.

Print Print this page

Tens of thousands have marched in Spain to demand rights for imprisoned members of

the Basque separatist organization ETA. Several French politicians and members of the

Irish Republican party Sinn Fein participated.

The event, in the Basque capital of Bilbao, was attended by several high-ranking regional politicians

and celebrities such as Pilar Bardem, mother of the Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem, and former

UNESCO Secretary-General Federico Mayor Zaragoza. No violence was reported.

Organized by a nonviolent civil initiative for prisoners known as Herrira, the protest carried the slogan

"Human rights, resolution, peace. Basque prisoners back home." Some protesters waved Catalan flags

in solidarity with the northeastern Spanish region that often, too, entertains the idea of independence.

As part of an amendment to a 1975 anti-terrorism law, Basque separatists are dispersed to prisons

across Spain and France to make it more difficult for them to communicate with one another. Herrira

has demanded that the more than 700 ETA prisoners currently spread far and wide be jailed in the

Basque country to make it easier for their relatives to visit. Only about two dozen of the 700 are

currently imprisoned in the Basque region of Spain.

ETA fought an armed campaign for an independent Basque homeland from 1959 until 2011, when the

group announced that it would lay down its arms. The group has yet to surrender its weapons or

dissolve its leadership.

However, Spanish authorities believe the group to present a minimal threat now.

mkg/hc (AP, dpa)

MORE ARTICLES

HUMAN RIGHTS

Tens of thousands march forrights of Basque prisoners

TOP STORIES

Tens of thousands march for rights of Basque prisoners | News | DW.DE... http://www.dw.de/tens-of-thousands-march-for-rights-of-basque-prison...

1 / 2 14/01/2013 16:54

foto: ap/bilbaoDemonstranten in Bilbao

Tausende demonstrieren für Rechte von ETA-Häftlinge n12. Jänner 2013, 21:49

Rückführung von Gefangenen ins Baskenland gefordert -Zunächst keine Zwischenfälle gemeldet

Bilbao - Tausende Menschen haben in Spanien für dieRechte der hinter Gitter sitzenden Mitglieder derbaskischen Separatisten-Organisation ETA demonstriert.Die Kundgebung wurde am Samstagabend in derbaskischen Metropole Bilbao von vielen ranghohenPolitikern der Region angeführt. Unter anderem nahmenan dem Marsch auch Schauspieler wie Pilar Bardem,Mutter von Oscar-Preisträger Javier Bardem, der frühereUNESCO-Generalsekretär Federico Mayor Zaragozasowie auch französische Abgeordnete und Politiker deririsch-republikanischen Partei Sinn Fein teil.

Der von der Gefangeneninitiative "Herrira" organisierteProtest stand unter dem Motto "Menschenrechte,Entschlossenheit, Frieden". Zwischenfälle wurdenzunächst nicht gemeldet. "Herrira" fordert, dass die mehrals 700 ETA-Häftlinge in Gefängnisse des Baskenlandeszurückgeführt werden, um unter anderem dieVerwandten-Besuche zu erleichtern. Die Gefangenenwurden über Anstalten in ganz Spanien verteilt, um dieKommunikation unter ihnen zu erschweren.

Die ETA wurde 1959 als Widerstandsbewegung gegendie Franco-Diktatur gegründet und bekämpfte den

spanischen Staat auch nach der Rückkehr zur Demokratie im Jahr 1975 mit dem Ziel eines unabhängigenStaates im Baskenland weiter. Bei ETA-Anschlägen wurden mehr als 800 Menschen getötet. Im Oktober2011 verkündete die Organisation zwar die "definitive Beendigung" ihres bewaffneten Kampfes. Sie gabjedoch weder die Waffen ab, noch löste sie ihre Strukturen im Untergrund auf. Madrid ist der Ansicht, dieETA befinde sich in der "Endphase". (APA, 12.1.2013)

© derStandard.at GmbH 2013 -

Alle Rechte vorbehalten. Nutzung ausschließlich für den privaten Eigenbedarf.Eine Weiterverwendung und Reproduktion über den persönlichen Gebrauch hinaus ist nicht gestattet.

› › ›derStandard.at International Europa Spanien

Tausende demonstrieren für Rechte von ETA-Häftlingen - Spanien - de... http://derstandard.at/1356427537158/Tausende-demonstrieren-fuer-Re...

1 / 1 14/01/2013 17:09

Hoje

MundoETA exige o regresso de presos ao País Basco

Milhares de pessoas reuniram-se em Bilbau para pedir o regresso dos prisioneiros da ETA ao País Basco, exigênciatambém feita pela própria organização independentista, que renunciou à luta armada em Outubro de 2011.“Estou muito impressionada com a magnitude da manifestação promovida pela associação de defesa de prisioneirosHerrira (“Para o país”)”, disse à France Press a basca francesa Aurore Martin, que participou na manifestação.A detenção de Aurore Martin em Novembro em França, que a entregou às autoridades de Espanha por participar numareunião clandestina neste país, foi fortemente criticada no País Basco. Aurore Martin foi posta em liberdade condicionale voltou a França em 22 de Dezembro. Dezenas de familiares de detidos bascos desfilaram com uma enorme vela quesimbolizava a esperança no regresso.“Enquanto o problema dos presos não for solucionado não há paz porque isso é a chave da solução do conflito”, afirmouBegonia Macazadas, 75 anos, que tem um primo detido em Paris.A associação Herrira anunciou haver 607 bascos em prisões em França e em Espanha dispersos e a uma distânciaentre eles de cerca de 750 quilómetros.“Também há prisioneiros bascos na Inglaterra, Escócia, Irlanda do Norte e Portugal, 13 deles gravemente feridos”, refereum comunicado da associação.

Jornal de Angola - ETA exige o regresso de presos ao País Basco http://jornaldeangola.sapo.ao/13/0/eta_exige_o_regresso_de_presos_a...

1 / 1 14/01/2013 17:17

Imprimir

Internacional

sábado 12 de enero, 2013

ESPAÑA

En Bilbao marchan para exigir elregreso de los presos de ETAEsta manifestación en favor de los prisioneros ocurre cada año en la

misma fecha en Bilbao. La marcha del 7 de enero de 2012 (la primera

después del anuncio histórico de ETA el 20 de octubre de 2011, sobre

el abandono de la lucha armada) reunió unas 110.000 personas.

Bilbao, España.- A los gritos de "independencia" y "amnistía ahora", varias

decenas de miles de personas se manifestaron el sábado en Bilbao para pedir el

retorno de los prisioneros de ETA al país vasco, una exigencia también presentada

por la propia organización separatista que renunció a la lucha armada en octubre de

2011.

"Estoy muy impresionada con la magnitud de la manifestación" organizada por la

asociación de defensa de prisioneros Herrira ("Para el país", en lengua vasca),

dijo la militante vasca francesa Aurore Martin, quien participó de las

manifestaciones pero se negó a formular otras declaraciones", citó AFP.

El arresto de Martin en noviembre pasado en Francia y su envío a las autoridades de

España, donde era requerida por participado de una reunión prohibida, fue

vivamente criticado en el país vasco. Martin fue puesta en libertad condicional en

España y pudo retornar a Francia el 22 de diciembre.

La enorme manifestación ocupó parte importante del trazado entre "La Casilla",

sobre la avenida Autonomía, y la Alcaldía, en el centro de la ciudad.

A la cabeza de la manifestación era posible ver camionetas que muestran las

distancias de las prisiones donde fueron distribuidos los detenidos vascos, y

también un autobús rojo de dos niveles donde se podía leer "Euskal Tresoak Euskal

Herrira" (Prisioneros vascos al país vasco).

Seguidamente marchaban decenas de familiares de detenidos vascos, que portaban

una enorme vela simbolizando la espera por el retorno.

"Espero que el gobierno español se mueva. Mientras el problema de los presos no

se solucione la paz nunca llegará, porque son la llave de la solución al conflicto",

dijo Begonia Macazadas, de 75 años, que tiene un primo detenido en París.

Apenas algunas decenas de sus miembros entre los 700 que cuenta ETA están

actualmente en libertad. Y "607 se encuentran en prisiones de Francia y de España,

dispersos a una distancia de unos 750 kilómetros en promedio entre ellos", de

acuerdo con Herrira.

"También hay prisioneros vascos en Inglaterra, Escocia, Irlanda del Norte y

Portugal. Y 13 de esos prisioneros están gravemente enfermos", según esa

asociación.

Esta manifestación en favor de los prisioneros ocurre cada año en la misma fecha

EL UNIVERSAL - Noticias de Venezuela y del Mundo http://www.eluniversal.com/internacional/130112/en-bilbao-marchan-p...

1 / 2 14/01/2013 16:27

en Bilbao. La marcha del 7 de enero de 2012 (la primera después del anuncio

histórico de ETA el 20 de octubre de 2011, sobre el abandono de la lucha armada)

reunió unas 110.000 personas, según los organizadores.

EL UNIVERSAL - Noticias de Venezuela y del Mundo http://www.eluniversal.com/internacional/130112/en-bilbao-marchan-p...

2 / 2 14/01/2013 16:27

Miles de personas se dieron cita en la ciudad de Balboa, para exigirel regresto de los presioneros ETA a ese país:

BILBAO.- “Estoy muy impresionadacon la magnitud de lamanifestación” organizada por laasociación de defensa deprisioneros Herrira ("Para el país",en lengua vasca), dijo a la AFP lamilitante vasca francesa AuroreMartin, quien participó de lasmanifestaciones pero se negó aformular otras declaraciones“.El arresto de Martin en noviembrepasado en Francia y su envío a lasautoridades de España, donde erarequerida por participado de unareunión prohibida, fue vivamentecriticado en el país vasco. Martinfue puesta en libertad condicionalen España y pudo retornar aFrancia el 22 de diciembre.

La enorme manifestación ocupó parte importante del trazado entre ” La Casilla“, sobre la avenidaAutonomía, y la Alcaldía, en el centro de la ciudad, constató una periodista de la AFP.A la cabeza de la manifestación era posible ver camionetas que muestran las distancias de lasprisiones donde fueron distribuidos los detenidos vascos, y también un autobús rojo de dos nivelesdonde se podía leer ” Euskal Tresoak Euskal Herrira“(Prisioneros vascos al país vasco).Seguidamente marchaban decenas de familiares de detenidos vascos, que portaban una enormevela simbolizando la espera por el retorno.” Espero que el gobierno espanol se mueva. Mientras el problema de los presos no se solucione lapaz nunca llegará, porque son la llave de la solución al conflicto“, dijo Begonia Macazadas, de 75años, que tiene un primo detenido en París.Apenas algunas decenas de sus miembros entre los 700 que cuenta ETA están actualmente enlibertad. Y ” 607 se encuentran en prisiones de Francia y de España, dispersos a una distancia deunos 750 kilómetros en promedio entre ellos“, de acuerdo con Herrira.

© Copyright 2008 Prensa Libre. Derechos Reservados.Se prohibe la reproducción total o parcial de este sitio web sin autorización de Prensa Libre.

12/01/13 - 15:00 INTERNACIONALES

Enorme manifestación en Bilbao porretorno de prisioneros de ETAA los gritos de “independencia” y “amnistía ahora”, va rias decenas de miles depersonas se manifestaron este sábado en Bilbao para pedir el retorno de losprisioneros de ETA al país vasco, una exigencia tam bién presentada por lapropia organización separatista que renunció a la lu cha armada en octubre de2011.

imprimir

Internacionales

Enorme manifestación en Bilbao por retorno de prisioneros de ETA http://www.prensalibre.com/internacional/Enorme-manifestacion-Bilb...

1 / 2 14/01/2013 16:25

PORTADA NOTICIAS TERRITORIOS RESUMEN MEDIA RESUMEN CONTACTENOS SUSCRÍBETE BUSCAR

Noticias

Internacionales

Latinoamérica

Nacional

Wallmapu

Trabajo

Salud

Educación

Memoria Histórica

Derechos Humanos

Ecología

Deporte

Cultura

Tecnología y Sociedad

Opinión

Cartas a Resumen

Multimedia

Resumen Media

Resumen Radio

Resumen TV

Resumen Gráfica

Actividades locales

<< Enero 2013 >>

Lu Ma Mi Ju Vi Sa Do

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31

Comentarios Recientes

El MaquiHago consulta referente a estaplanta, porque teng... Leer más...Por victor riquelme

Método Yuzpe: alternativa segu...Hola, yo también utilicé el métodoYuzpe a las 28 ... Leer más...Por Paola

50 años de Huelga Larga del Ca...A PEDRO HERÍQUEZ ARAN: MEGUSTARÍA CONTACTARMECON... Leer más...Por Cecilia Ortiz

Viva Dichato Show mediático ...Esa señora llego a tomar eseterreno en dichato, n... Leer más...Por daniela fernadez

Animales vagos en Coronel: org...En coronel existe una agrupaciónllamada patitas c... Leer más...Por Rosario

Resumen recomienda

Portada Internacionales

115.000 personas se mojan por los presos y desbordan BilboEscrito por Gara

Domingo, 13 de Enero de 2013 12:56

Lo de ayer fue una ocupación del centro de Bilbo en favor de los derechos de los presos sin recorrido del tododefinido y también sin un principio ni final concre to. Mucho antes de la hora prevista, gran parte de las callesestaban ya llenas

Iñaki IRIONDO | BILBO

Cuarenta minutos antes de la hora prevista para el inicio de la manifestación, la calleAutonomía de Bilbo estaba llena de gente. También buena parte de las trasversalesque desembocan en ella. La situación era paradójica: lo que debía ser la cabeza de lamarcha era en esos momentos su cola. Para que la movilización hubiera discurrido porcauces habituales, la pancarta tendría que haber comenzado un recorrido distinto endirección contraria a la prevista. Y, como queda dicho, todavía faltaba más de mediahora para que dieran las 17.30.

A la hora de arrancar, prácticamente todo el recorrido estaba abarrotado. Se abría unpequeño paréntesis entre los que situados mucho más cerca del final que del iniciodudaban entre esperar o acercarse a coger sitio en la explanada del ayuntamientodonde debían desarrollarse la lectura del comunicado y las actuaciones musicales.

De hecho, tampoco se dio un único acto final. En la Plaza Circular, donde la organización había instalado una pantallagigante, se concentraron también miles de manifestantes que no pudieron llegar más lejos.

La de ayer no fue una manifestación al uso. La movilización consistió en que los familiares de presos, exiliados ydeportados, y quienes portaban la pancarta, completaron el recorrido –tardando para ello más de hora y media–abriéndose camino entre los manifestantes. A su paso, miles de los congregados se fueron incorporando a la marcha.Otros miles iniciaban recorridos paralelos para avanzar por otras vías.

Lo de ayer fue una ocupación de las principales calles delcentro de Bilbo en defensa de los derechos de los presos y laspresas. Una concentración que no tuvo una hora concreta deinicio y que tampoco tuvo una conclusión muy determinada.Cuando hacía tiempo que el acto que cerraba la marcha habíaterminado, por la calle Hurtado de Amezaga seguían bajandomiles de manifestantes (otros miles se habían desdoblado por lacalle Aldapa) y se abrían en abanico al llegar a la Plaza Circular.Unos seguían hacia el ayuntamientos, punto final oficial, otrosbajaban hacia el Arriaga para adentrarse en el Casco Viejo,algunos se encaminaban por la Gran Vía... Luego estabanquienes optaban por dejarse tragar por las bocas del Metro paravolver hacia sus lugares de origen.

La de ayer fue, además, una demostración de la capacidad demovilización de Herrira, a pesar de que los denominadospartidos mayoritarios –con excepción de EH Bildu– se habíandesmarcado abiertamente de la movilización. El PNV dejó claroque no se sumaría como partido. El PSE añadió que no daba asus militantes libertad para decidir si ir o no. El PP se posicionóen contra. De hecho, el ministro español de Justicia, AlbertoRuiz Gallardón, dijo que la manifestación debió haber sidoprohibida por la Audiencia Nacional.

Mojarse por los presos y presas

Ninguno de esos pronunciamientos en contra hizo mella en lasdecenas de miles de personas que tomaron el centro de Bilbo.Una presencia superior, según varios indicadores, a la colosalmanifestación del 7 de enero de 2012.

Tampoco la lluvia arredró a los manifestantes. La gente llegó a Bilbo dispuesta a mojarse por las presas y los presos.

115.000 personas se mojan por los presos y desbordan Bilbo http://rsumen.cl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=67...

1 / 6 14/01/2013 16:37

Optimizado para

Lectores en línea

Tenemos 687 invitados conectado(s)

Preparada para ello. La sorpresa, en realidad, fue que hasta las seis de la tarde estuvo seco. Apenas alguna gotaimpertinente molestó a los concentrados. Pero después sí, cayó y mucho, como estaba previsto. Se abrieron entoncesmiles de paraguas. Lo que no se pudo hacer en esta ocasión fue acelerar el paso, ya que en muchos tramos no habíasiquiera por dónde pasar.

Presencia política plural

Para las 16,30, en las inmediaciones de La Casilla comenzaban a agruparse por un lado los voluntarios de la organizacióny por otro los portavoces de partidos, sindicatos y organismos que se habían sumado a la convocatoria y que ibanhaciendo las primeras declaraciones a los medios de comunicación.

En la marcha pudo verse a losprincipales dirigentes de los partidosintegrantes de EH Bildu y aprácticamente todo su grupoparlamentario. También de EzkerBatua. Y líderes de ELA, LAB y otrossindicatos.

Acudieron responsables institucionalescomo el diputado general de Gipuzkoa,Martin Garitano, y el alcalde deDonostia, Juan Karlos Izagirre.

Pese a que hubo partidos querecomendaron a sus militantes noacudir, hubo presencia de personas delPNV y también del PSN. En larepresentación de Ahotsak acudió,entre otras, Ainhoa Aznarez, del PSN

(con ellas se vio también a José Luis Uriz), y habían confirmado sus asistencia las jeltzales Arantza Itxasmendi, UsuneRetolaza y Amaia Goirigoltzarri. Al que sí se vio fue a Iñaki Zarraoa.

Hubo además una representación de formaciones catalanas como ERC y las CUP. El diputado republicano Joan Tardá y elportavoz parlamentario de las CUP, David Fernández, concitaron la atención de los medios de comunicación.

En la marcha no solo se vieron senyeras esteladas catalanas, sino también banderas de otras comunidades del Estadoespañol. Todas ellas saludadas con entusiasmo. El pueblo kurdo también estuvo representado y, tras la ejecución de tresmujeres militantes en París, fue objeto de notables muestras de simpatía y solidaridad.

A lo largo del recorrido sepudieron observar banderasde distintos puntos delmundo, además depancartas que recordaban apresos de diversaslocalidades o barrios deEuskal Herria.

Pese a que la previsión eraque la manifestación fuerasilenciosa, fueronconstantes los gritos de«Euskal presoak EuskalHerrira!». Abrían caminoentre la multitud lasfurgonetas de losvoluntarios que cada fin desemana llevan a familiares alas cárceles. Laorganización dispuso acontinuación un autobús de

dos pisos para los cámaras.

Cientos de familiares de presos, refugiados y deportados se dispusieron a continuación en cinco hileras. Tras ellos, lapancarta, portada por una nutrida representación de las personas convocantes: Eñaut Gantxegi, Iñaki Olasolo, PauloAgirrebaltzategi, Arantza Gutiérrez, Pako Letamendia, Eba Ferreira, Itxaso Fernández, Estitxu Garai, Irati Tobar, BegoñaZabala, Juan Ibarrondo, Juanje Soria y Oskar Bañuelos.

De entre ellos, los encargados de dar lectura al comunicado final tuvieron que salir de la pancarta para poder llegar atiempo al ayuntamiento y desde allí lanzar su mensaje a las más de cien mil personas que habían acudido a lamanifestación para exigir el respeto de los derechos de las presas y los presos.

LA MANIFESTACIÓN MÁS MULTITUDINARIA

Historias con nombre propio que retratan la política penitenciaria

Las calles de Bilbo volvieron a entrelazar cientos de historias anónimas y, al mismo tiempo, colectiva s, reflejo dela dimensión diaria de la política penitenciaria. H istorias de madres que se hicieron amigas a raíz de la detenciónde sus hijos, de niños que han nacido en prisión o no ven a su padre más que una vez al mes, incluso d e quieneshan sufrido el rechazo de su propia familia pero qu e han encontrado una segunda en el resto de allegad os.


2 / 6 14/01/2013 16:37

Ainara LERTXUNDI

En primera fila, abriendo la manifestación, los ojos de María Nieves San Emeterio se emocionan ante la pregunta de quésignifica una movilización como la de ayer. Está a punto de cumplir 83 años y «ya de salud no ando muy bien, pero aunqueme deje la piel en el asfalto, no podía dejar de venir. ¡Que vean que la gente mayor también estamos aquí»!, proclama conenergía.

Su hijo lleva 34 años deportado. Marsella,Panamá y Cuba, su particular destino tropicalhace 28 años. «Yo he ido muchas veces, pero yallevo tres años sin verlo porque el viaje es muylargo y a mi edad... Mi hijo tenía 20 años cuandose fue casa y ahora es un señor de 53. Aunqueestén tan lejos, los deportados nunca se olvidande su pueblo. Su cabeza y corazón están aquí».

«Movilizaciones como esta son una inyección deoptimismo», añade. Al acabar, «mi hijo menor lemandará un e-mail contándole cómo ha ido».

Varias filas atrás, Miren Iturrate camina junto a suhija de 13e años. Su compañero, Joseba Artola,lleva cumplidos ya 27 años en prisión.Actualmente está en Daroca, pero durante estascasi tres décadas ha pasado por Valladolid,Mansilla de las Mulas, Alcalá Meco, Burgos,

Puerto de Santa María...

En febrero del pasado año recibieron la notificación de que saldría en libertad el 18 de mayo. «Ya habíamos acondicionadola casa para cuando viniera, y habíamos organizado el recibimiento cuando en marzo recibimos una carta de la AudienciaNacional diciéndonos que le habían aplicado la `doctrina Parot'», recuerda. Aquello fue «un duro golpe». Pero, no el único.Años atrás, en 1988, no le dieron permiso para despedirse, «para dar a ese último abrazo a su madre enferma de cáncer».Tampoco le dejaron asistir a su funeral. De los diez años que pasó en Puerto de Santa María, en Cádiz, cinco estuvo sinderecho a vis a vis, «cinco años sin un abrazo, sin un beso». En junio, a su hija le retiraron el vis a vis de convivencia porhaber cumplido 12 años, por lo que desde entonces solo ve a su padre una vez al mes, en el amiliar.

Ana Sarobe, Marisa del Barrio y Gotzone Ijurko se hicieron amigas a raíz de la detención de sus hijos, Mikel Karrera,Arkaitz Agirregabiria y Maite Aranalde, respectivamente. Ayer compartieron fila -cinco en total- junto al resto de familiares.

Para ver a su hermano, José Ramón Arkauzrecorre 1.600 kilómetros. Josu Arkauz, quelleva 22 años entre rejas, está encarceladoactualmente en Murcia II. «Las visitas através de los cristales son los sábados a las19.30 y los domingos a las 18.20. Cuandovamos los domingos, salimos de madrugaday hacemos la vuelta de noche en coche,porque el lunes hay que ir a trabajar. Pero,bueno, ¡para eso ponen esos horarios! Unavez al mes, aprovechamos la furgoneta defamiliares. Muchas veces, después de irhasta ahí, nos han denegado la visita porcosas absurdas».

Junto a él camina Juan Mari San Pedro,también de Arrasate. Su hijo, Premín SanPedro, encarcelado en Granada, no ha

dejado de preguntarle esta semana por esta manifestación y por el ambiente en el pueblo con que se preparaba en elpueblo.

Para Leonor Palacios, la marcha de ayer tiene una connotación especial. Es la primera a la que acude con su hijo, OscarAbad, en libertad tras 21 años, en los que ha pasado por una docena de cárceles -Cartagena, Jaén, Huelva...-. Confiesaque aún no se lo cree. «En los primeros días, comiendo me dí cuenta de que limpiaba los cubiertos con las servilletas.`Pero, hijo, ¿qué haces?, estás en casa', le decía. Hay veces que al despertarle, pega un bote en la cama», comenta.

En esos 21 años le han denegado, como a la mayoría de familiares depresos vascos, visitas en el último momento. Ha visto cómo se llevaban asu hijo en una furgoneta para trasladarlo a otro destino justo cuandollegaban ella a la prisión. O, tras recorrer miles de kilómetros, solo hantenido cinco minutos de visita, cinco. Pese a que su hijo ya no estápreso, «tengo que estar aquí con mis compañeras», dice. Una de ellases Eugenia del Fresno. A su hijo, Kepa Márquez, lo arrestaron hace 21años. Eugenia ha encontrado en el resto de allegados esa «familia -porparte de su difunto marido-», que le dio la espalda y que «en 21 años nisiquiera me han preguntado una vez por él».


3 / 6 14/01/2013 16:37

José Luis Elkoro no pudo acudir porque está recluido en su casa deBergara, en cuya entrada un dispositivo con dos luces registra cada unode sus movimientos además de la pulsera que lleva en el tobillo. Pero síestuvo su esposa, Mari Carmen Ayasti. «En realidad, hemos venidotodos, se ha tenido que quedar solo», comenta.

La prisión atenuada que le fue aplicada por padecer cáncer solo lepermite pasear por su localidad entre las 8.00 y las 13.00. «Hasta paralas revisiones médicas, que son en Bilbo, tiene que pedir permiso y juegoun justificante al médico», indica.

Cada uno de los familiares entrevistados por GARA coincide en lanecesidad de trasladar el apoyo recibido ayer en Bilbo a los días,semanas y meses siguientes, y de convertir este «balón de oxígeno» en

una dinámica diaria, «pueblo a pueblo. Porque si nosotros, los familiares no nos movemos, los gobiernos no lo harán.Somos conscientes de que no será fácil, pero está en nuestras manos».

LA MANIFESTACIÓN MÁS MULTITUDINARIA

Representantes de aquí y allá abogan por los derechos de presas ypresos

Maider EIZMENDI | BILBO

La representación institucional, política y social se presumía amplia, ya que la marcha de ayer había recabado previamentenumerosas adhesiones. Y no defraudó. Junto a las decenas de miles de personas que tomaron las calles de la capitalvizcaina, caminaron solidariamente ciudadanos de allí y de aquí, de Euskal Herria y de los Països Catalans, de Colombia,de Kurdistán, de Bretaña...

Minutos antes de que los familiares de los represaliadas vascas dieran lo primeros pasos la mayoría se reunió junto a LaCasilla. Entre ellos se encontraban los representantes catalanes Joan Tardà y David Fernàndez. El diputado en Madrid deEsquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) justificaba su participación admitiendo que la solución del problema de lospresos políticos es «una condición imponderable para la resolución del conflicto». No obstante, hacía hincapié en que elGobierno español «se resiste en desbloquear la situación penitenciaria» y esto significa, a su juicio, «poner un terraplén alnuevo escenario que vive Euskal Herria, que necesariamente pasa porque todas la víctimas se sientan reparadas». Semostró convencido de que finalmente se conseguirán los objetivos que se persiguen «pero mientras tanto, el sufrimientoque están padeciendo muchas personas es vergonzoso».

En la misma línea, el portavoz de la Candidatura d'Unitat Popular (CUP) subrayó la necesidad de deconstruir «el estado deexcepción jurídica, electoral y penitenciaria sufrida por Euskal Herria». La negativa a abordar el problema de los presos porparte del Gobierno español, supone, en opinión de David Fernàndez, «negarse a una solución que asuma todas lasconsecuencias del conflicto». Se refirió, asimismo, «al manto de silencio que se cierne sobre la política de dispersiónpenitenciaria» para afirmar que «si el resto de pueblos y culturas del Estado español conociesen lo que suponeverdaderamente la dispersión, sabrían que lo que están legitimando es una política orientada al castigo y a la destrucciónde la dignidad personas, basada en el aislamiento y en régimenes especiales».

Tanto Tardà como Fernàndez han firmado el documento «Preses i presos bascos al País Basc» que han suscrito 70destacadas personalidades catalanas que exigen el cumplimiento de «los derechos humanos básicos de los presos ypresas vascos».

Entre los firmantes se encuentran personas de diversos ámbitos y sensibilidades como Arcadi Oliveres (Justícia i Pau),Xavier Masllorens y Jordi Armadans (Fundació per la Pau), Vicenç Fisas (Cátedra Unesco-UAB), Gabriela Serra y PereOrtega (Centre JM Delàs), la recientemente traspasada activista feminista Consol Casals (Dones per Dones), Tica Font,Rafael Grasa, Alejando Pozo, el cantante Lluís Llach, el periodista Vicent Partal o el sindicalista agrario Pep Riera. En elámbito político, suscriben también el comunicado el diputado en Madrid Carles Campuzano (CiU), así como numerososdiputados del Parlament de Catalunya, entre los que destacan Oriol Junqueras, Marta Rovira y Gemma Calvet por parte deERC; Georgina Rieradevall y Quim Arrufat de la CUP; y Dolors Camats y David Companyon de ICV-EUiA.

Mientras que los representantes catalanes que acudieron a Bilbo centraban su discurso especialmente en elcomportamiento del Gobierno español, al papel que está jugando el Gobierno francés se refirió la consejera regional deAquitania por Europe Ecologie Alice Leiciaguezahar. Se mostró «desolada» por que París «ha optado por ponerse alservicio del Estado español, desoyendo la voluntad de los habitantes de Euskal Herria». Ante ello, consideró necesario quela sociedad civil siga saliendo a la calle «para obligar a los estados a que escuchen a la ciudadanía y traten el tema de lospresos y presas de cara a seguir trabajando en el proceso de paz».

A pesar de que el PSOE como organización optó por no acudir a la cita, entre los manifestantes se encontraba la


4 / 6 14/01/2013 16:37

integrante del PSN y de Ahotsak Ainhoa Aznárez. Ella acudió porque, como destacó, el de ayer era «un momento en elque es necesario estar».

«La ley está para cumplirla»

A su entender, «en este momento el Partido Socialista tiene que presentarse porque hay gestos y símbolos que sonnecesarios, por una parte y por la otra». Aznárez reconoció que se ha trabajado mucho para llegar a este punto y «ahoratoca reivindicar los derechos de los presos y las presas que viven situaciones muy precarias». Se trata «de garantizar losderechos humanos y de cumplir la ley, que está para ello». Sobre las ausencias opinó que ella, de no haber acudido,«tendría algún remordimiento y cargo de conciencia», y aseguró que acudir a este tipo de citas es necesario «no soloporque estamos trabajando un camino que no tiene marcha atrás, sino también porque son momentos en los que haymucha crispación y la gente pide unión».

A la implicación ciudadana se refirió también el máximo representante institucional que acudió a la gran movilización deBilbo, el diputado general de Gipuzkoa, Martin Garitano, quien incidió en que «no se puede quedar nadie de brazoscruzamos mientras que se están vulnerando los derechos de muchos ciudadanos vascos». A su entender, no existe lugarpara el desánimo y, en el camino hacia la normalización y la paz, la ciudadanía debe seguir trabajando para superar larepresión y obligar a ambos estados a que trabajen en esa línea. «El pueblo vasco ha demostrado anteriormente que tienefuerza para empujar a los estados y ahora también lo hará», vaticinó antes de dirigirse a la cabecera de la manifestación.

Junto a él caminaba el diputado de Amaiur Xabier Mikel Errekondo, que exigió al Gobierno de Mariano Rajoy que «deje aun lado» las políticas «basadas en el odio y la venganza» e indicó que su formación trabajará en el Congreso español paraque se «respeten» los derechos de los presos y las presas.

Errekondo pidió el fin de la dispersión y de otras decisiones políticas que «castigan» a los presos y las presas. Enconcreto, informó de que Amaiur va a poner en marcha iniciativas para que «una vez más sea escuchada la reivindicaciónde toda la sociedad vasca para que los presos sean traídos a casa, para que se acabe la dispersión».

Video:

Reproductor de Flash noinstalado o versioninstalada es anterior a9.0.115!

Like 0

< Prev Próximo >

Escribir un comentario

La opción de comentar está abierta a todos los usuarios, pero te pedimos por favor mantenerte dentro del tema delartículo y no publicar comentarios ofensivos o publicidad basura. Nos reservamos el derecho de eliminar cualquiercomentario que no cumpla estas reglas.

Nombre (requerido)

E-mail (requerido)

Sitio web


5 / 6 14/01/2013 16:37

the demonstration for prisoners’ rights in bilbao in the international media

Documents

spain ap

anothernorthern spanish

inbasque region

associated press http

repatriate allbasque

large banner

solid peace

jails furtheraeld