ICEC (International Commission of European Citizens), a platform dedicated to promoting the recognition of peoples' right to self-determination, is organising an event at the European Parliament this Thursday to expose the "fake news" and rumours that have been spread about the independence movement and the reality of the situation in Catalonia. Under the title "Can Catalonia save Europe?", they want to give a voice to representatives of different groups within Catalan society to discuss the economy, education and the law.
This event, focusing especially on Catalonia and supported by the ECR (European Conservatives and Reformists) group, is held annually. This edition, however, gains special significance this year as it coincides with the "Let's Fill Brussels" demonstration, expected to bring tens of thousands of Catalans to the Belgian capital.
The ICEC has taken advantage of the occasion to invite members of the USTEC teaching union, lawyers and entrepreneurs to explain their experiences of the independence process. Also expected to attend are some of the international observers who were in Catalonia during the 1st October independence referendum, to give their versions of events.
The event is already fully booked. Expected to be present are representatives of the N-VA (New Flemish Alliance) political party, along with other Belgian deputies and MEPs from Estonia and Finland, among other countries.
“We're victims, not playing the victim”
ICEC's spokesperson, Anna Arqué, explains that the event's objective is to "denounce the [Spanish] state's repressive attitude", but also "to go beyond" the denunciations which have been made so far. "We're victims, not playing the victim," she argues, saying that they want to transmit a "positive message" about the independence movement. To this end, they will give examples of successes in Europe which show that "independence is legal and legitimate".
Arqué explains that, for now, "a mirror has been put" in front of Spain and "everyone has seen how it really is". Similarly, she argues that it's now time to put the issue before Europe to "hold onto its founding values" of freedom, justice, equality and peace.