Release from the PCP Press Office

On the prison sentences of political leaders, members of Parliament and former members of the Regional Government of Catalonia

Following the decision by Spanish judicial authorities to impose harsh prison sentences – in some cases up to 13 years – upon political leaders, members of Parliament and former members of the Regional Government of Catalonia, for their participation in holding the referendum on the self-determination of Catalonia that took place on October 1st 2017 and subsequent unilateral declaration of independence, PCP considers that:

- This decision is part of a strategy on the complex national issue in Spain that relies on coercion, repression and judicialisation, which does not contribute to finding a political solution, and further aggravates the problem;

- The national issue in Spain should be considered in terms of the historical complexity and the present-day reality of that Country. An issue that can only be fairly and adequately overcome within the framework of a political solution, respecting the will of the peoples of Spain and, therefore, the will of the Catalan people, and safeguarding the social rights and other democratic rights of peoples; a solution that necessarily implies the repeal of these convictions and consequent release of the prisoners;

- the instrumentalisation of national feelings, the escalation of fait accompli, the absence of a political solution cannot serve to hide the responsibility of all those who have promoted a policy with serious social consequences – for Spain and Catalonia – nor serve to promote reactionary values and Francoist fascist sectors, who for dozens of years oppressed the peoples of Spain.