The Spanish government is trying to create a new majority itself by excluding most of the basque voters from the local and regional elections on May 25th. This is not acceptable. This proceeding is another offence against the basic rights of the basque people after the prohibition of Batasuna and the closure of the daily newspaper Euskaldunon Egunkaria. The Spanish state is trying to solve a political problem with only repressive measures, that´s what´s visible from the arrest of 8 members of Udalbiltza and the prohibition of the same by judge Baltasar Garzón. Since five years judge Garzón accuses basque parties, organisations and municipal media stations being part of ETA. Without any prove for that incrimination Garzón and his colleagues prohibit, on the bases of new laws, these basque groups of people.

We support the announcement by AuB to take part in the election and ask the international public for participation in the "Commission of Guarantee" to control the election and afterwards the counting of votes to get a representative and independent picture of the demand of the voter.

The recent development is only a new offence by the Spanish state against basic democratic rights. Therefore we demand:

• Guaranteed participation in the election for the left basque independent movement!
• Cancellation of the prohibition of Batasuna and admission of the register of electors!
• Immediate admission of the prohibited basque organisations and freedom for the people arrested in this context!
• Democracy for the basque country!

Euskal Herria aurrera!
For international solidarity!

Antifascist Comitee Duisburg (Germany)
Basque Information Centre (The Netherlands)
Autonomous Antifascist Group Lüdenscheid (Germany)
Antifascist Action Leverkusen (Germany)
TAYAD-Comitee Hamburg (Germany)
Working Group Palestine Hamburg (Germany)
Antiimperialist Coordination (Austria)
Young Left Wesel (Germany)

May 9th 2003