MEP calls for separation of powers and equality in Spain

Lisbon, 8 April 2020 – MEP Francisco Guerreiro (PAN) signs a letter to the Spanish prime-minister calling for the principles of separation of powers, equality before the law and nondiscrimination to be upheld.

After calls by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, urging the release of political prisoners during the COVID-19 crisis, the signatories of this letter show concern with what was decided in Spain. 

The Spanish Supreme Court issued a brief statement to the media warning that if Catalan Prison Boards could face criminal charges if they executed their legal mandate and allowed the Catalan leaders to spend the COVID-19 confinement period at home. As a consequence, the release of the Catalan leaders was denied.

Considering that what happened generates discriminatory treatment of public officials, the signatories take into account the complaint that Oriol Junqueras has filed against the Tribunal for “coercion, threats and violation of fundamental civic rights”, and encourage Sánchez to initiate “the appropriate proceedings and measures in order to prevent further unacceptable threats from the judiciary to public officials”.

Read the full letter below.

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