A manifesto, launched by the former presidents of the Parliament of Catalonia, counts on the support of the European and international parliamentarianism

The immediate liberation of President Carme Forcadell. This is the mean idea that has joined 524 parliamentarians and former parliamentarians of 25 countries (19 states) of 32 different legislative chambers that have signed a manifesto of support to the Catalan politician imprisoned. The manifesto, launched by the former presidents of the Parliament Joan Rigol, Ernest Benach and Núria de Gispert, has the support of the Vice-president of the European Parliament, Heidi Hautala, and of 35 Members of the European Parliament (among others, the co-chair of the Greens/EFA Ska Keller) of countries such as Germany, France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, Sweden, Estonia, Slovenia, Luxembourg and Spain. Just last week, the President Roger Torrent met with Hautala and Keller in the European Parliament to explain to them the situation of the political prisoners and exiles and the need to resolve democratically the political conflict in Catalonia.

The manifesto has been presented tonight in an institutional act in the Parliament, which has counted on the speeches of the former presidents, of the president, Roger Torrent, of the deputies and former members of the Presiding Board, Lluís Guinó and Joan Josep Nuet, and of the president of the Parliament of Wales, Elin Jones. Some deputies of Esquerra Republicana, Junts per Catalunya, CUP and Catalunya en Comú were also present in the act and signed the manifesto.

Carme Forcadell has always shown an incorruptible commitment with the country, its people and rights

Roger Torrent President of the Parliament

During his speech, Roger Torrent has denounced that “President Forcadell is imprisoned and charged criminally for having fulfilled with her role, for having respected the rules of the chamber and for having preserved the freedom of expression and the rights of the deputies”. “If there is a word to define Carme Forcadell it is commitment”, he continued, “commitment towards democracy, social cohesion and feminism. She has always shown an incorruptible commitment with the country, its people and rights”, he defended.

The president of the Parliament has assured that “we will persist as you ask us to, and we won’t stop until you are here, with us, defending democracy, our rights and our freedom outside of prison”. He has finished by thanking Forcadell her “example of dignity”. After this public presentation, the campaign will continue forward to add more support.