The Miami Herald reports that the UN has called for investigation into acts of violence during the Catalan Independence referendum and it has also emerged the UN were refused access prior to the referendum for two special rapporteurs:
“The U.N. human rights chief is calling on Spain’s government to ensure “thorough, independent and impartial investigations” into acts of violence linked to the Catalan independence referendum.
Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein says he’s “very disturbed” by Sunday’s violence in Catalonia. He said police responses must “at all times be proportionate and necessary.”
The rights chief said in a statement Monday the situation should be resolved through political dialogue.
Catalan health officials say 893 people were treated in the hospital during Sunday’s clashes with riot police who turned up to stop people from voting.
Zeid, a Jordanian prince who goes by his first name, also urged Madrid to accept “without delay” the requests of two U.N.-mandated investigators on freedom of assembly and minorities to be granted access to visit Catalonia.
Rights office spokesman Rupert Colville said the two U.N. “special rapporteurs” had previously sought the access before the weekend’s violence.”
Link:
http://www.miamiherald.com/n…/business/article176505926.html
Bernard Moffatt
pp Celtic League
02/10/17
