BARCELONA: Barcelona accountant Oriol Calvo found himself on the wrong side of the law during a mass protest by supporters of Catalonia’s independence from Spain, which spiralled into violence in 2019. Calvo, among thousands of ordinary citizens involved in Catalonia’s illegal secession bid, was convicted of public disorder and aggressive behaviour toward a police officer, a charge he vehemently denies. His case represents the complex issue of amnesty for Catalan separatists in Spain, a topic currently being debated with significant political consequences.
Calvo’s conviction led to an 18-month suspended sentence, leaving a mark on his record and discouraging his involvement in political activities. He felt disillusioned and betrayed by the justice system, prompting him to withdraw from rallies supporting Catalonia’s independence. However, there is a glimmer of hope for Calvo and many others in a similar situation, as Spain’s acting prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has proposed a sweeping amnesty for separatists, with a potential trade-off for their political parties’ support in forming a new government in Madrid.
Sánchez’s move towards amnesty raises questions
Sánchez’s move towards amnesty has raised questions about its implications for Spain. While he has previously granted pardons to leaders of the independence movement, the decision to extend amnesty is primarily viewed as a political necessity, given the divisive nature of the Catalan independence movement within Catalonia and Spain at large.
The backdrop for Sánchez’s decision is a national election in July that failed to yield an absolute majority for any party, forcing Sánchez to seek support from several smaller parties to remain in power. Among these parties are two pro-secession Catalan groups, which played a prominent role in the unsuccessful 2017 secession attempt. They now hold the crucial parliamentary votes that Sánchez needs to stay in power, using this leverage to demand amnesty as a prerequisite for their support.
The clock is ticking for Sánchez, who has until November 27 to form a government; otherwise, new elections will be called for January. Sánchez’s center-left Socialist party has been cautious in its stance on amnesty, recognizing that it is an essential part of ongoing negotiations with the Catalan parties, including the party led by the fugitive former regional leader of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, currently residing in Belgium.
Spain’s courts continue to seek Puigdemont’s extradition, making any deal that benefits him politically controversial and divisive among Spaniards. In fact, tens of thousands of people rallied in Barcelona against the possibility of amnesty, highlighting the political risks Sánchez faces.
Amnesty negotiations are a delicate balance, with both sides posturing for political advantage. Pedro Sánchez needs the amnesty law to pass, securing the votes necessary for his government, while the secessionists must demonstrate their commitment to not just their leaders but also the ordinary citizens who participated in illegal activities. These individuals, like Oriol Calvo, face life-altering consequences from their involvement in the movement.
Spain’s conservative party, which recently lost its bid to form a government, has already criticized Sánchez for potentially sacrificing the country’s interests to maintain power. Even former Socialist Prime Minister Felipe González has expressed doubts about the merits of the proposed amnesty.
The legality of an amnesty for Catalan separatists remains a point of contention among legal experts. Advocates argue that it could benefit around 4,400 people, including minor officials and ordinary citizens who were involved in organizing an illegal 2017 referendum or taking part in related protests.
Yet, Catalan separatist organizations demand more than a clean slate for those in legal trouble. They seek an amnesty that establishes a legal framework for Catalonia to eventually hold a binding, authorized referendum on independence. For them, amnesty serves as a starting point for resolving the conflict.
However, this uncompromising stance may risk derailing the entire amnesty effort and could leave individuals like Oriol Calvo in a precarious position. While they may have struggled with the consequences of their actions, achieving their ultimate goal through a sanctioned referendum remains uncertain.
The debate over amnesty for Catalan separatists embodies Spain’s complex and deeply entrenched political divisions, with no easy resolution in sight.
