PEOPLE in Scotland should stand up for Catalonia not only due to its desire for independence, but also to protect democracy and human rights, a campaign group has said.
The Catalan Defence Committee Scotland (CDCS) will hold a demonstration at the Buchanan Street steps in Glasgow at 1pm on Saturday, April 14, six months on from when the first Catalan leaders were imprisoned. The protest will also oppose Spain’s attempts to extradite former Catalan education minister and St Andrews University academic Clara Ponsati from Scotland.
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A spokesman said: “We must recognise the fundamental and inalienable rights of all peoples across the world to self-determination and condemn in the strongest possible terms the authoritarian actions of the Spanish state in oppressing Catalan democracy.
“Many of the rights we enjoy today were secured through the collective solidarity of people and organisations across the world.
“We are calling on Scotland’s people, political parties and civic institutions to show that same solidarity. Not to reflect their support for independence, but to protect the principles of democracy against authoritarianism.
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“Catalan leaders forced into exile must not be extradited to Spain, and police violence must not be used against innocent civilians simply exercising their rights.”
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