A pro democracy and independence rally took place in Iruna/Pamplona yesterday (02/12/07) following the arrest of 46 people, many from left wing political and social youth organisations.

The arrests followed a Spanish High Court decision to issue the arrest warrants for members of Basque groups Ekin, Orain, Xaki and Fundación Joxemi Zumalabe, who are suspected of having links with the Basque terrorist organisation ETA. The people have been arrested and convicted by the judges, although the verdicts will not be read out until after December 10 th. It is believed that some of those who have had arrest warrants issued against them have not been arrested yet or named for fear that they will leave the state of Spain.

Those defendants, who believe they will be arrested soon, urged Basque citizens to rally in Bilbao today (03/12/07), in a protest which saw thousands of demonstrators taking to the streets in the city centre, under the slogan "For the rights of the Basque Country. Freedom for all the political options."

The EFAy have always maintained that for peace in the Basque Country to come about, all parties should be included in the discussion. Banning groups and arresting their members can only bring about a feeling of mistrust in the democratic process.