The Catalan president, Quim Torra, has attacked the Spanish state over the repression of Catalonia and the existence of political prisoners and exiles following last year's independence referendum before the consular corps accredited in Barcelona. The president that that in Catalonia, "republic is a synonym for liberty", for which reason the Catalan people "will never give up" their right to self-determination. He called on the consuls met in Barcelona's government palace to help defend that right.
The reception with the consular corps is traditionally held at the start of the year, but was delayed this time due to the suspension of Catalan self-governance.
The president mentioned that situation in his brief speech. He recalled last year's referendum and the Parliament's declaration of independence and denounced the state's response with force and physical violence. He also accused the Spanish government of a "fraudulent usage" of article 155 of the Constitution, the article used to suspend Catalan autonomy, fire her government and dissolve her Parliament.
"Today there are nine honourable and peaceful democrats in prison for their ideas", he said, comparing this with the exiles free in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and Scotland.
Torra warned that there is a political conflict in Catalonia which requires a democratic, political solution and dialogue. He also insisted that the independence movement is and always will be peaceful and democratic. "The prisoners are an embarrassment for any democrat around the world," he said.
"The right to self-determination is essential and now we're demanding to realise it democratically. We Catalans will never renounce our right to decide for ourselves. In Catalonia, the concept of a republic is a synonym for liberty and we're counting on all of you to defend it," the president concluded.
The Catalan foreign minister, Ernest Maragall, denounced the "delicate times" Catalonia is going through and the existence of the political prisoners, who include his predecessor, Raül Romeva. "This is a situation which we can't stay quiet about nor stop sharing with you," said the minister. He urged the consuls to talk about Catalonia's situation in their countries "as intensely as possible".
The British consul, who spoke in the name of the consular corps, chose to make no reference to the political situation. That said, the corps haven't always stayed neutral in the tensions between Catalonia and Spain. For example, in February, Finland was pressured by Spain to sack their consul to Barcelona.