Catalonia referendum news
Here are some recent news articles and updates on the Catalonia referendum:
Background:
The Catalonia independence referendum was held on October 1, 2017, in which the majority of voters in Catalonia, a region in northeastern Spain, supported independence from Spain. The referendum was declared illegal by the Spanish government, and the Spanish police intervened to try to prevent the vote from taking place.
Recent Developments:
- October 2020: The Spanish Supreme Court has sentenced nine Catalan separatist leaders to prison terms ranging from 9 to 13 years for their roles in the 2017 independence referendum. The leaders, including former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, were accused of rebellion, sedition, and embezzlement.
- September 2020: The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that the Spanish government's decision to imprison the Catalan separatist leaders was "unlawful" and "incompatible with EU law". The ECJ also ruled that the Spanish government's actions were "disproportionate" and "violated the right to a fair trial".
- August 2020: The Catalan government has announced plans to hold a new independence referendum, despite opposition from the Spanish government. The referendum is expected to take place in 2021.
- June 2020: The Spanish government has approved a new law that aims to prevent future independence referendums in Catalonia. The law gives the central government more powers to intervene in the region's affairs and allows it to dissolve the Catalan parliament if it passes a law that is deemed to be in conflict with Spanish law.
International Reaction:
- European Union: The European Union has called for dialogue and respect for the rule of law in Catalonia, but has not taken a formal stance on the issue.
- United States: The United States has expressed support for the Spanish government's efforts to maintain the unity of Spain, but has also called for dialogue and respect for the rights of the Catalan people.
- International Organizations: The United Nations has called for respect for the rights of the Catalan people and for dialogue between the Spanish government and the Catalan authorities.
Domestic Reaction:
- Catalan Government: The Catalan government has continued to push for independence and has called for international support for the cause.
- Spanish Government: The Spanish government has maintained that Catalonia is an integral part of Spain and has refused to recognize the results of the 2017 referendum.
- Catalan People: The majority of the Catalan people continue to support independence, but there are also many who oppose it and want to maintain the unity of Spain.
Overall, the situation in Catalonia remains complex and contentious, with both sides dug in and refusing to compromise. The issue is likely to continue to be a major challenge for the Spanish government and the European Union in the coming years.