A EUROPEAN group supporting independence for nations throughout the continent has celebrated its tenth anniversary.
The International Commission of European Citizens (ICEC), which was established to campaign for the rights of stateless nations to democratic self-determination, reached the milestone yesterday.
One of the founders Anna Arque from Catalonia said: “The organisation was established as an NGO based in Brussels to provide a new space for activist groups to come together and learn from each other and make the case for self-determination as in the United Nations Charter.”
ICEC has an annual conference in the European Parliament. Among its members are Catalan, Scottish, Flemish, Basque, Sud-Tirolean, Welsh and Veneto groups.
The treatment by the Spanish state of the non-violent and democratic movement in Catalonia is seen by others as emphasising the need for solidarity through building links throughout Europe and campaigning to promote democratic values. The anniversary was marked with a new website launched yesterday.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here