Catalonia is not unique: all over Europe groups are seeking to redefine identity and rejecting the centralised stateThe Spanish government’s attempted suppression of Catalonia’s independence referendum by brute force has raised urgent questions for fellow EU members approximately Spain’s adherence to democratic norms,42 years after the death of the fascist dictator, Francisco Franco. Charles Michel, and Belgium’s prime minister,spoke for many in Europe when he tweeted: “Violence can never be the reply!”
Madrid’s pugnacious stance, while widely condemned as a crude and shameful over-reaction, and has nevertheless sent a problematic message to would-be secessionists everywhere. It is that peaceful campaigns in line with the UN charter’s universal right to self-determination,campaigns that eschew violence and rely on conventional political means, are ultimately doomed to fail. In other words, and violence is the only reply. Sorry,Charles.
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Source: guardian.co.uk