de març 2019

2019/03/31

Friesland votes: FNP loses supports

a 3/31/2019

On Wednesday 20^thMarch, the Netherlands headed to the polls to elect new provincial representatives and water board. The Frisian National Party (FNP) lost some votes but keep their 4 regional councillors. In 2015 the FNP achieved 25,027 votes (9,46 %) which have been reduced to 23,662 votes and a 7,93 %. The Frisian National Party is soft left/Neither progressive nor conservative.

18th feast of the Alsatian language

a 3/31/2019

This will be the 18th edition this year. Until June, there will be festivities around the Alsatian language, organized jointly by the OLCA (Office for the Language and Cultures of Alsace and Moselle) and the City of Strasbourg.

"E Friehjohr fer unseri Sproch (Spring of the regional language) asserts itself as" the "feast of the regional language. Its aim is to coordinate initiatives that are often dispersed, to bring together those who defend and love the Alsatian language at a common party, just like the music festival. In order to celebrate the regional language, the festival of Alsatian language brings together many initiatives of all kinds and throughout the region: theater, music, children's entertainment, conferences, stammtisch, guided tours ... listed on its website. Can you read on the Friehjohr organizing site.

„Mitteleuropäische Allianz“, the Central European Alliance of Nations Without State

a 3/29/2019

At the beginning of March, the General Assembly of the European Free Alliance (EFA) was held in Brussels. The Central European member parties of the EFA established a cross-border working group of non-state peoples, ethnic minorities and regionalists in central Europe.

The working group is called "Central European Alliance". It wants to strengthen cross-border cooperation within Central Europe and make the common interests of the affected regions more heard. The Nations Without State parties in Central Europe have many similarities: historical, cultural, political and economic. But the regions in Central Europe are also a fateful community, as the 1919 "Peace Treaty", with its arbitrary new demarcations, is the source of the problems of most nationss without state, ethnic minority and regionalists.

"We are convinced that a cross-border Europe of self-determined peoples and regions can only function if supported by politics, and as members of the European Free Alliance, we want to play a pioneering role in regrouping what belongs together . "

The „Mitteleuropäische Allianz“ (Central European Alliance) consists of the following EFA member parties:

1.Bayernpartei, Bavaria.
2. Enotna Lista, Slovene in Carinthia, Austria.
3. Erdély Magyar Néppárt, Hungarians in Szeklerland, Romania
4. Lausitzer Allianz (Lusatian Alliance), Lusatia
5. Liga Socijaldemokrata Vojvodine, Vojvodina, Serbia
6. Lista per Fiume, Italians from Croatia
7.Magyar Kereszténydemokrata Szövetség, (Hungarian Christian Democratic Association), Hungary
8. Moravské Zemské Hnutí (Moravian Land Movement), Moravian
9. Oljka, Slovene Istria
10. Ruch Autonomii Śląska, Silesia, Poland.
11. South Tyrolean Freedom, Tyrolean Germans in Italy.
12. Unser Land (Our country), Alsace

"Isula Morta" (Dead island) protest against Macron visit to Corsica

a 3/28/2019

Macron is not welcome in Corsica. He has failed all his promises of dialogue as well is becoming more and more authoritarian. His repression to the popular movement of the yellow vests has left 11 people dead and 3,000 people injured. The ruling coalition Pè a Corsica has answered to the visit with a strike called "Isula morta". Protests like this were used in the seventies and eighties by the Corsican National Movement. Macron is expected to be in Corsica on April 4th.

Alsatian party Unser Land General Assembly

a 3/27/2019

The Generalversammlung took place in Barr, Alsace, on March 23rd. The new chairman of the Northern Federation is Laurent Roth meanwhile the former one, Dani Willme was acclaimed by his task.Around 150 people participated in the event and elected Jean-Georges Trouillet (president), Andrée Munchenbach (federal secretary) as well as Martin Meyer (general secretary).

60,000 rally in Basque town Altsasu to demand the freedom of the seven arrested youths

a 3/26/2019

Under the slogan “this is not justice”, 60,000 demonstrators turned to the streets this Sunday March 24th to demonstrate in favour of the eight youths sentenced in the Altsasu trial two weeks ago. Seven of the eight have already spent 862 days in prison, for charges related to an alleged bar brawl with two off-duty Guardia Civil officers in 2016.

“We want justice, free the detainees” was 60,000 people's demand in Altsasu. The deafening silence was only broken by the sound of applause. The seven young people who were arrested as a result of the fight on the 15th of October have spent more than two weeks in Soto de la Real and Alcalá de Henares prisons, near Madrid, 400 kilometres from their homes in the Sakana valley. They are accused of crimes which could be punished with between ten and fifteen years in prison. We are going to try to put this in context.

As the result of a fight between two Spanish Civil Guards and their couples – dressed in civilian clothes – and a group of people from Altsasu which took place at 05:00 AM of 15th October, during the town festivities, one of the policemen ended up with an injured ankle and seven young people were arrested: Iñaki Abad, Oihan Arranz, Jon Ander Cob, Julen Goikoetxea, Jokin Unamuno, Aratz Urruzola and Adur Ramirez. They are each in danger of facing between ten and fifteen years in prison.

What happened?

On the 15th of October, most of the major Spanish media reported that the Civil Guards and their couples had been "attacked", "ambushed" or "lynched" by 50 people. The people from Altsasu, at the press conference they gave on the following day, denied that, saying that "the policemen had provoked the fight in a bar". One of the Civil Guards' couples declared to the Navarrese police that evening that there had been six "attackers". That same evening, two people were arrested in Altsasu and the Navarrese police charged against the people who had gathered outside the Spanish Civil Guard barracks to demand their freedom.

Welsh independence referendum if EU funding not met after brexit - Plaid Cymru

a 3/25/2019

The Welsh national party Plaid Cymru held its Spring conference (2019.03-23-24) at Bangor University’s arts and culture centre Pontio, Plaid Cymru leader laid out the party’s vision for the New Wales they would deliver as the new Welsh Government in 2021.

Wales should hold a referendum on independence if a series of demands are not met after Brexit, Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price has said. The Plaid leader called for "every penny" of the £2.5bn structural funds Wales would have expected in the next EU funding period to be replaced, plus matching funds to provide a £5bn fund for "a fighting chance for us to rebuild our own fortunes".

"If you deny us these reasonable demands then we only have one left, and that's the right to ask our people whether we would be better to take control of our future as an independent member of a European Union, not a second-class region in a failing British state."

A parade of nations fighting for thier own independence at the Plaid conference

“A new spirit in Wales is rising,” he said. “The new Wales we’re fighting for is one that is self-confident, optimistic, ambitious, dynamic.
“To get there we need a bit of Warren Gatland’s spirit: ‘If you want something badly enough and really believe it can happen, it often does.’
“We have exciting and fresh ideas about Wales, about forging a new way of doing politics, and Wales’ future in Europe. Plaid Cymru will create a Minister for the Future, with a place in the Welsh Government Cabinet, to ensure we are not bystanders in our own history, but we in Wales and the government of Wales can shape our own future.
“Our essential message is about radical delivery. New ideas, implemented well. With a deep-rooted sense of urgency.
“While Westminster looks through its rose-tinted monocle and yearns for the return of the British Empire, the people of Wales are looking to the future, a new future – a new Wales – with Plaid Cymru.”

The second day of Plaid Cymru’s spring conference saw Brexit take centre stage.

Among those to speak on the second day of the conference in Bangor yesterday was newly-appointed South Wales East AM Delyth Jewell.
Ms Jewell, who was appointed to the role last month following the death of Steffan Lewis, hailed her Gwent background, saying: “We are proud in our small corner of our rich, rebellious history.
“I want us to be every bit as proud of where we’re headed.
“Because, I feel like I can do anything.

A thousand people rally to defend the Corsican language

a 3/24/2019

Parlemu Corsu (We speak Corsican) movement was supported by 90 social, political and civical groups all ovber the island. Micheli Leccia explained the two axes of their claim:
- teaching in Corsican from the maternal school to secundary
- co officiality of the Corsican language
They rallied on March 23th in front of the French prefecture colonial building.

300 people rally against the suppression of Occitan language from French education in Provence

a 3/23/2019

Around 300 people declared on March 20th in Ais de Provença against the suppression of Occitan language from French public education. After the protests that took place in Lengadoc and Bigòrra, now it is Provença after a call from the APLR Calandreta, FELCO-AELÒC, Felibritge, the Fòrum d'Oc, Lou Prouvençau à l'Escolo, the IEO and Unioun Prouvençalo. The rectorate received a delegation of teaching staff. The teachers want the language be treated as a living language while asking the academy to encourage school bilingualism in law. "

Corsican Nation Party calls for a nationalist union in the local elections

a 3/22/2019

The Partitu di a Nazione Corsa (PNC) recognized differences among the several parties in the island government (Femu a Corsica, Corsica Libera and PNC itself). In spite of these a press conference in Aleria on March 21st called for unity lists in the French local elections scheduled in 2020. The center party warned around the division and called to enforce unity among the Corsican national parties.

Sámi Culture Conference

a 3/21/2019

Closing panel in Ubmeje Cultural Policy Summit on ”how do we proceed”. Saami Council Christina Hetta share the plans of a Sámi Culture Conference happening this autum in Giron. Bringing together Sámi culture workers from all over Sapmi creating an important meeting place for the Sámi cultural sector to discuss needs and priorities.

«Sámi culture and the future - What’s in it for Sámi children and youth?» was asked when this powerful panel came together at Umbejen biejvieh this morning. The message was clear: «We will fight for our rights», «We need educational material, our language is at risk, pay up!» and «Ask us before you make decistions on our behalf».

The case of the young people of Altsasu arrives at the European Parliament

a 3/20/2019

Parents of the Altsasu incident youngsters asked today for justice at the European Parliament. "This is not about seven youngsters, but a violation against all of the society. Europe cannot allow that this unfair trial based on revenge and repression is used to humiliate a whole people. TheEuropean Parliament is asking for a mechanism to guarantee the respect of fundamental rights and freedoms in the EU. What happened in Altsasu is a clear and serious case of democratic regression. We are showing solidarity with those repressed and their families" said European MEPs. EFA MEPs and parents of the Basque youngsters (@Altsasuparents) called to participate in this Sunday March 24th demonstration in Altsasu so that it becomes “a clamor for justice not only in Navarre but in all Europe". The slogan of the rally is 'Ez da Justizia' (It's not justice).

The Altsasu youngsters were cndemned to 2-13 years in prison for a bar fight with Spanish military police off duty on January 2018. 13 years in prison for a bar fight... the problem of Spain is that the State structure remains untouched after 40 years. Eight young people implicated in the punch-up, the hangover has endured for nearly 18 months and their case has become a regional controversy. A special division of the Spanish high court for terrorism (!) in Madrid decidse in a trial starting on April. Prosecutors demandes their "offences" to be charged under terrorism laws. The decision to transfer the case to the high court was made by Carmen Lamela – the same judge who jailed Catalonia’s democratic leaders for sedition and rebellion last year. One former supreme court judge, José Antonio Martín Pallín, called the move “radically absurd”.

Vlaams Nationaal Zangfeest, Flemish National Singing Festival, calls to stop "billion transfers to Wallonia"

a 3/20/2019

Thousands of Flemish people took part in the 82nd edition of the Vlaams Nationaal Zangfeest (Flemish National Singing Feast) in the Lotto Arena in Antwerp on Sunday March 17th. Erik Stoffelen, chairman of the Algemeen Nederlandse Zangverbond (ANZ), called on everyone to vote for parties and politicians who notice a Flemish message in the coming elections. He expects the elected "to finally stop the billion-dollar transfers to Wallonia".

In his speech, Stoffelen stated that there are too many social needs in Flanders to continue to transfer 12 billion euros annually to Wallonia under the guise of "so-called solidarity". “These transfers put a huge mortgage on our social security. Too many Flemish people are on waiting lists for social housing and too few disabled people can rely on the interventions they are urgently entitled to."

According to him, a Flemish social security is no longer desirable, but necessary. Not in 2024, but in 2019. “Do you like this and do you want to do something about it yourself? Then tear up your membership card from your unitary health insurance fund today and split the social security yourself! Just do it! "Said the ANZ chairman.

He also raised the Catalan question in his speech and demanded the release of the Catalans who are in a Spanish cell for the independence referendum. “People can disagree politically, but don't put dissenters, political opponents in prison. Not anywhere, and certainly not in Europe where the ancient Greeks invented the "democracia" (demokratí). Release them. The European Union will be democratic or it will not be. People cannot defend and implement democracy anywhere in the world to eliminate it manu militari in our European backyard. ”

It was Stoffelen's last speech at the Vlaams Nationaal Zangfeest. In April he passed on the ANZ chairman's hammer to Bart Fierens. The Zangfeest was also attended by many Flemish politicians this year, such as Antwerp mayor Bart De Wever (N-VA), who had pinned a Flemish-Catalan pin for the occasion. Tom Van Grieken and Bart Claes from Vlaams Belang and Fons Duchateau, Ben Weyts, Jan Peumans and Siegfried Bracke from N-VA were also present.

Sortu presents Kolpez Kolpe, a political document on Navarra

a 3/19/2019

The Basque left por independence party bet to redouble forces in Nafarroa to continue dismantling the Regime. The document presented by Sortu in Berriozar has months of work and put in common with the militancy of the nationalist left of Nafarroa. Part of the premise that there have been advances in the change in the task of dismantling the regime and that it is necessary to move forward along this path to achieve further victories. The document is called Kolpez Kolpe' ('hit by hit')

«Change is the empowerment of excluded sectors. Limited, contradictory and everything we want, but empowerment, a qualitative leap with respect to the previous situation, because in Nafarroa something like this had never happened. That empowerment goes beyond the rules of liberal alternation. It is not the revolution, it is not the earthquake that follows an insurrection, it is not the seizure of power, but it is a great step that moves the limits of what is possible, showing as feasible what was utopian. «Change has reached institutions from society. Institutional change is the expression of a larger iceberg. The challenge is to boost the growth of that iceberg. Obviously, what happens in institutions or what governments do is fundamental, but our political logic is integral, it is not exhausted in parliamentary liberal democracy, and that forces us to do comprehensive readings to measure how that iceberg is evolving. destroy the Regime ", which is presented as" the condensation of Nafarroa's subordination to the State and the domination of reactionary Spanish elites. "

The document of Sortu makes an analysis of the situation of the Regime in different areas and its evolution in recent years. Thus, in the so-called "social leg of the Regime", formed by UGT, CCOO and CEN, progress has been made limiting the power of this trio in the Navarre Employment Service. However, "they have stayed halfway" in the Social Dialogue Council or the Labor Court. In addition, the discrimination in Volkswagen continues. In the Treasury mentioned as advance the agreement on the updating of the Agreement that allowed Navarre coffers to recover 215 million euros. On the other side of the coin is the impossibility of allocating these resources to social policies that mark Spanish laws.

In the political-institutional sphere, Sortu emphasizes that in this legislature almost one hundred significant laws have been approved, some of which have become a model at the state and European level such as Public Contracts, Local Map, Social Inclusion and Minimum Guaranteed Income, Housing and LGTBI. The last of them, last Thursday, the Citizen Participation. On the negative side he cites the need to improve the relationship between institutions and the popular movement with the aim of dismantling the Regime.

In the judicial system, the open crisis is mentioned due to its politicization and that in Nafarroa there have been mass demonstrations against decisions about "La Manada" or the youth of Altsasu. As proof of the validity of the Regime in this area, the 19 Constitutional appeals to Navarre laws or sentences in Nafarroa against infant schools, Basque, ikurriña or the investigation of torture are cited.

The document advocates creating a police model of its own and highlights the steps that have been taken in this regard in the Municipal Police of Iruñea, regretting that there are still inadmissible actions of the Provincial Police as in Huerta de Peralta or the Iruñea gaztetxe. It also stresses that the demand for competition from Traffic has shown that the forces of the Regime defend the presence of the Civil Guard exclusively to "guarantee the superiority of Spain."

Regarding Euskara (Basque language), it considers that the Regime has lost tools to make its linguistic policy and that "there has been a change of direction", but it is aware that it has managed to find a message that links Basque with imposition, especially in Erribera. He advocates giving a new legal status to this language and bringing the debate, together with the euskaltzale movement, to a question of rights and equality.

International Youth Meeting in Corsica of Nations Without State Fighting for Freedom

a 3/18/2019

Corsican Independentist Youth (Gjhuventù Independentista), has organized the International Youth Scontri in Lotta from March 12 to 14 in Corti. The event has been held since 2004. A Basque youth movement Aitzina! took part, movement from Iparralde, the Northern Basque Country, as well a Berber / Amazic delegation of the movement from the Rif region, Morocco, and Scida - Giovunus Independentistas de Sardenya, who focused on explaining the revolt of the Sardinian pastors. Finally an Irish Republican delegation (Sovereign Movement of the 32 Counties) and two Kanak Organizations Front of the National Liberation Kanak Socialistao and the Association Jeunesse Kanaky Monde.

"A Ripressione Basta", Corsican national movement calls for a rally to end the French Repression

a 3/17/2019

The group of former political prisoners "Patriotti" organized this Saturday, March 16 in Corti, a meeting to organize an anti-repression demonstration. The date and place have been fixed. It will be April 13 in Bastia. The appointment is set at 15 hours, from the courthouse.

At the meeting were invited the entire national movement, unions, associations and other political parties. However, the territorial majority "Pè a Corsica" declined the invitation. "There are absentees today but we are not here to talk about that," said Félix Benedetti of the Patriotti collective - "We are organizing our mobilization and we hope they will change their minds and they will come. the repression is simply linked to the fact that there is no political solution in Corsica, and as long as there is no political solution there will be repression. "

"The repression seems to be accentuated for a year. The former political prisoners have allied themselves to defend their rights. But that does not stop with a simple condemnation since 15 years, there is a desire to implement several types of files that restrict our freedoms.This event would defend this freedom. In particular the file FIJAIT. A file that fights against true terrorism". reminiscent of the attacks of Bataclan and Charly hebdo. It is a liberticidal law, it is extended to the Corsican political prisoners, who are in fact resistants, three militants refused by ideology to submit to it. These files are an insult for themselves and the whole of Corsica ".

French repression is seen every day in the island: repeated trials where the state does not respect its own rules where it does not even wait the results of the cassation to launch a new procedure, the FNAEG, the DNA file, the fines which are disproportionate. Several movements joined the call:

Riacquistu di Purtivechju
Patriotti
Core In Fronte (political party)
Manca Naziunale (political party)
STC (trade union)
Giuventù Paolina (students)
Giuventù Independentista (students)
Cunsulta di Giuventu Corsa (students)
Aiutu Patriotticu
Aiutu Paisanu
Andatura
Parlemu corsu (language)
Mossa Paisana (farmers)
APC (parents)

“Self-determination is not a crime. Democracy is to decide", dozens of thousands, mainly Catalans, dennounce the fake "Spanish justice" in Madrid

a 3/17/2019

Tens of thousands of supporters of Catalan independence have rallied in Spain's capital Madrid in protest at an ongoing trial of 12 separatist leaders. Many waved Catalan flags and had placards reading "Self-determination is not a crime". Protest organisers said 120,000 people marched in Madrid. The separatist leaders of Catalonia's failed 2017 independence bid face rebellion and sedition charges. If convicted, some could face up to 25 years in prison.

The demonstration through Spain's capital was organised by two civil society groups the Catalan National Assembly (ANC) and Òmnium Cultural and led by Catalan leader Quim Torra.
Demonstrators waved the Catalan flag and marched under signs reading: “Self-determination is not a crime”.

In unusual scenes for the capital, the central Paseo del Prado boulevard was steeped in red, yellow and blue, the colours of the Estelada flag of the Catalan independence movement.

"I think it's a fair judgement to say you've never heard the voice of Catalan independence spoken so loudly and with so many numbers here in Madrid," Al Jazeera's David Chater, reporting from the demonstration, said. "There are two phrases that have been prominent here: that democracy is about taking decision and that self-determination is a right, not a crime." Canarian, Basque, Castilian delegations took part in the rally denouncing that 90,000 people have been prosecuted by the Spanish opinion law (ley mordaza) against freedom of expression in the neoFrancoist Spain.

Pictures