Press release, 4th of May 2011

The ICG has consulted with business associations in the Basque country and has also taken note of ETA’s letters to business leaders confirming the cessation of so called “revolutionary tax” as an integral part of their ceasefire. The conclusion to which we have come is that this practice of extortion has indeed stopped. In our view this is an important development towards the achievement of social and political normalization in the Basque Country and should be welcomed by all. The ICG will nevertheless continue to cross-check information regarding the ceasefire declared by ETA.

It is, therefore, with regret and concern that we have taken note of the decision by the Supreme Court to ban Bildu from participation in the forthcoming local elections, particularly following the same court’s decision to ban Sortu as a political party. Political normalization will only become a reality when all political parties that are committed to exclusively non violent means are entitled to participate in democratic processes and institutions. Notwithstanding our disappointment we respect the decision of the court. However we are once again encouraged by the minority judgements and sincerely hope that  when the Constitutional Court  analyses the facts and applies the law it comes to a decision that makes a further contribution towards political normalization in the Basque Country.