ADVERTISEMENT

Thousands rally for ETA prisoner amnesty

Almost all members of ETA, a group that gave up armed resistance to Spain in 2011, have been jailed but the movement has refused to disband.

Thousands of people march during a demonstration called by the citizens' network Sare, protesting against dispersion of Basque prisoners, in the northern Spanish city of Bilbao on January 14, 2017

Protesters in the Basque country, who hold this demonstration every January, held up placards of a finger pointing to the sky as they denounced the prison conditions endured by Basque separatists.

They have been calling for an amnesty for their incarcerated members so they can be reunited with their families.

Basque newspaper Gara estimated the number of people in the Bilbao streets on a rainy day as 78,000, while police declined to give a crowd estimate.

ADVERTISEMENT

An association defending the rights of ETA prisoners released a statement blasting "those who keep in prison prisoners who have long served their sentences imposed by the courts".

It also demanded that the prisoners be transferred to jails closer to their families.

The collective of Basque political prisoners (EPPK) recently gave up its demand for universal amnesty but has asked for negotiations over suspending sentences on a case by case basis.

According to prisoners' families association Etxerat, in August 2016, some 279 ETA members were incarcerated in Spain with another 79 in France.

ETA has been blamed for the deaths of 829 people in bombings in Spain since its creation in 1959.

ADVERTISEMENT

It wants to create an independent homeland from the Basque regions in northern Spain and southwest France.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Hardship: Abiodun to begin sale of rice to Ogun residents at 50% discount

Hardship: Abiodun to begin sale of rice to Ogun residents at 50% discount

Labour Party offers Peter Obi 2027 presidential ticket unopposed

Labour Party offers Peter Obi 2027 presidential ticket unopposed

Allow us build seaports, railways to develop the South-East - Ohanaeze tells FG

Allow us build seaports, railways to develop the South-East - Ohanaeze tells FG

UCH Ibadan workers are tired of working in darkness as power outage persists

UCH Ibadan workers are tired of working in darkness as power outage persists

Armed robbery suspect who killed police officer begs govt to have mercy on him

Armed robbery suspect who killed police officer begs govt to have mercy on him

Tinubu enlists Dangote, Elumelu, Rabiu, others in Economic Coordination Council

Tinubu enlists Dangote, Elumelu, Rabiu, others in Economic Coordination Council

Sanwo-Olu doesn't want you to blame govt for current hardship in the country

Sanwo-Olu doesn't want you to blame govt for current hardship in the country

Okuama: Slain officers left behind 3 pregnant widows, 21 orphans – Lagbaja

Okuama: Slain officers left behind 3 pregnant widows, 21 orphans – Lagbaja

Joke Silva describes neglect of Lagos theatres as sad development

Joke Silva describes neglect of Lagos theatres as sad development

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT