The Spanish police deployment did not prevent the holding of the self-determination referendum in Catalonia.

The use of force against voters determined to make their voices heard in favour of their independence, democratically and peacefully, has made Spain lose face, where the old demons of Francoism are dangerously awakening.

The unbearable images of men and women in blood, tears, swollen faces, but still worthy of respect, illustrate the defeat of the repression ordered by Madrid.

This first October 2017 is the day of glory for the Catalan people, who have just gained its right to its sovereign republic.

There will be no turning back. The King of Spain, who holds the symbolic legitimacy of the kingdom, should intervene and, instead of repression and denial of rights against the Catalan people, order wisdom and dialogue for serious negotiations on the modalities of separation.

Gone are the days when peoples are muzzled and subdued by violence. A people determined to live free will never again be on their knees, whatever their obstacles and trials.

The European Union has just been damaged by the barbarism of repression in Catalonia. Supporting Madrid on this path will sign the bankruptcy of civilization on its continent.

The right of peoples to self-determination is at the root of every European country. Denying it would be tantamount to denying each country the current delineation of its borders and sovereignty over its territory. This is the most detrimental regression for humanity since the dawn of time.

The President of the Provisional Kabyle Government in Exile (Anavad) Ferhat Mehenni, who has just deposited on 28/09/2017 a Memorandum to the United Nations in favor of Kabylia’s independence, appeals to the international community to reaffirm the right of peoples to self-determination. He urged the world to recognize the results of the referendums of the Kurdish (Iraq) and Catalan peoples.

Kabylia stands in solidarity with these two peoples and will join them on the day when it will organize its own referendum to free itself from its colonial chains and gain sovereignty.

For the president of Anavad,
Ms. Sakina At Sliman, spokesperson