Campaign of harassment of non-separatist public officials in Catalonia (Spain)
20.9.2017
Question for written answer P-005852-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Beatriz Becerra Basterrechea (ALDE)
In recent weeks, simultaneously with the separatist process initiated by the autonomous regional government, there has been a campaign of harassment aimed at public officials opposing the independence movement. The youth movement Arran, linked to the CUP (Popular Unity Candidacy) party, called for fourteen councillors of the municipality of Lleida to be publicly singled out for not cooperating with the referendum called for 1 October, which the Constitutional Court has suspended.
Previously, other extremist groups placed intimidating posters in the streets bearing the faces of various non-separatist Catalan politicians, describing them as ‘enemies of the people’ and calling for them to be treated as such.
This campaign comes at time of a general increase in hate crimes and discrimination in Catalonia, as noted in the Public Prosecutor’s Annual Report for 2016.
Taking into account that Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA obliges Member States to criminalise public incitement to violence and hatred, and that the events described are of this nature, can the Commission say:
- 1.Is it aware of the facts described in this question which, according to EC law, constitute incitement to hatred?
- 2.Does it intend to maintain contact with the Spanish authorities to ensure compliance with Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA with the aim of ensuring that such crimes do not go unpunished?