The question of Catalan independence

Our editorial has been in contact with a member of the Catalan community, Mr Marc Unio Puig from Tordera, Catalonia. Due to the separatist movement of the Catalan community in recent years, we asked him to widen the picture of the ongoing situation between the Spanish government and Catalan claims for independence, which are deeply rooted in history. The story of Mr. Puig was forwarded to the representative of the Spain in the United Nations as we asked her to comment on the situation in question.

From the story of Mr Puig it is obvious that most Catalans do not have feelings of belonging to the Spanish nation and consequently have claims for their own independent country, since they would not like to see their kids in the future to be 'hispanicized' as Spanish Minister of Education stated a month ago.
Despite national claims Ms. Eminić opposes to the idea of the independence of Catalonia due to some parts of the Spanish Constitution and unstable economic conditions in Spain. It seems that stronger democratic institutions and procedures as well as competitive economy are the elements that Spain need the most at the moment.

Mr. Puig, who explained us:

"The political conflict between Catalonia and Spain comes from long time ago. It’s usually pointed the dictatorship of the fascist Franco, who ruled the country for almost forty years after a devastating Civil War, as the beginning of this, but it came from before. However, during the dictatorship, the strikes against Catalan culture and identity were hard and continuous. In the imaginary of the fascist government, only the Spanish culture had space in the country called Spain. One language, one culture, one nation. With the “transition”, the political process started after the dead of Franco that brought Spain to the democracy, the other nations in Spain (Catalans, Vasquishs, Gallegos) were recognized and it seemed that finally Spain was understood as a country formed by adding some nations, respecting the identity, culture and language not only of the Spanish, also of the others. And it relatively worked for some years. But the idea of the unique culture haven’t ever disappeared, and during the last decade the attacks against our identity have increased a lot.

I think the clearest point of this breaking process comes from July 2010. After four years of hard –and tiring- negotiations, the parliament of Catalonia approved a new “Catalan constitution”, the main low of Catalonia that, however, is always under the Spanish constitution. The parliament approved this law with a wide majority of the parties (even with the non-nationalists), afterwards this law was sent to the Spanish parliament (it had to be approved there) and following their approval it was voted on a referendum and approved by 73% of the Catalan population. This law was planned as the new way for the future to establish the relations between Catalonia and Spain and it was finally cancelled by a tribunal. Here is the break. How a Spanish tribunal can say that a law is not legal after that Catalan parliament, Spanish parliament and finally the people of Catalonia approved on a referendum? The main problem was because it said Catalonia is a nation, or, the worst part, because it recognised that Catalan is our language – as well as Spanish- and the institutions have to preserve it.

This process was the verification of a fact. After 30 years of democracy, while Catalans have contributed a lot to the growth and peace in Spain, Spain doesn’t recognize us like what we are. And most of Catalans, that during this time of democracy have tried to make Spain as a country of some cultures, they give up. The ones who defended Catalonia inside Spain (the majority before) now they defend the independence. To make it more understandable, one month ago, the Education Minister of Spain said that the new education law they are preparing has to “Hispanicize the Catalan kids”. It is one example of what happens every day. And people here have said it’s enough.

It’s enough, and now what? Now we ask for a referendum. We want to decide our future, and we want to vote it on a referendum. Spanish government and all Spanish parties (with Catalonia issue they don’t have any difference) say that we are not allowed to do it. Just they can allow it, and they won’t. And this answer only makes people more convinced that we don’t have space on a country that doesn’t allow us to make a referendum. Fortunately, Catalans have always been a peaceful people, and we will use only the democracy. As more as they deny the referendum, harder we will ask for it. Finally, we will vote. The ones who want the independence and the ones who don’t. "

The comment of the Spanish delegate:

"Spain is going through tough, challenging times. Economic crisis has hit us very hard, and right in the moment, when Spanish nation should be more connected than ever, internal tensions have arisen. In less than a quarter of century, Spanish nation has gone through many changes. This journey has thought us many things, most importantly being the awareness that there can be no peace without dialogue and peaceful negotiations.

1978 Constitution has set Spain on the path of democracy and modernity and placed it at the forefront of protecting and ensuring human rights. Constitution proclaims ‘the indissoluble unity of the Spanish Nation’, while recognizing and guaranteeing ‘the right to autonomy of the nationalities and the regions’. The ‘nationalities’ are Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia.  Each has its own government. The different language minorities are protected by the autonomous regions.

Minorities in our country, among them Catalans, enjoy a substantial amount of rights, which allow them to preserve their unique cultural characteristics. Spain recognizes the diversity within its borders and does not treat it as threat but rather as an opportunity to grow and develop together.

Recently, there has been deterioration in relations between central government and Catalan parliament, yet there is absolutely nothing irreparable in the damaged relationship between Spain and Catalonia. Everything connects us to Catalonia: centuries of history, business and personal relationships. As Prime Minister Rajoy has said: “I cannot imagine Catalonia without Spain or Spain without Catalonia. In the last 30 years, we have experienced increased welfare and progress of all. This is a positive balance.” And this is exactly how most of Spanish people feel about this issue.

Central government has shown its willingness to negotiate and compromise, yet it cannot support illegal and unilateral actions by Catalan Parliament. Referendum, that Catalans propose, is illegal and thus the government of Spain cannot allow it. Barcelona's assertion of autonomy violates "the indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation". The only way a referendum could be held would be if it was called by central government and allowed people across the whole of Spain, not just Catalonia, to vote. This is a matter that affects all Spanish people and thus all should vote. Central government is prepared to talk about this issue, but if we want to reach some kind of understanding, there is no room for unilateral actions that are not compatible with Spanish Constitution.

There is still time to improve the relations. The separation would hit harshly both Spain and Catalonia, so it is in the interest of us all to reach agreement. Central government is determined to improve the relationship with Catalonia, so that we can remain together for centuries to come. Unity must overcome economic crisis."

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Documentary commissioned by Sobirania i Progrés to internationalize the Catalan case: