Press release. About Otegi’s disqualification
In our assessment Arnaldo Otegi is a man of peace committed to finding a democratic resolution to the Basque conflict.
The Basques, the people of Spain, the people of Europe and the entire international community welcomed ETA’s statement almost 5 years ago, ending its armed activities. In the place of violence, the vast majority of those who had supported ETA’s armed activities, either actively or passively, committed themselves to democratic processes and democratic structures.
The International Contact Group promoted and welcomed the establishment of a political party that would legally, openly and freely represent the political expression of the Abertzale Left. At that time, we expressed our regret that their leader Arnaldo Otegi was in prison and therefore unable to give leadership to his constituency at that momentous occasion when peace and democracy had overcome violence.
Mr Otegi is now a free man. He has, for more than a decade, illustrated through many statements and actions his commitment to peace and democracy. The decision to disqualify him from public office is, to say the least, regrettable and counter-productive to the all-inclusive democratic project in the Basque Country.
International Contact Group (Basque Country) 