Catalonia has been a member of the UNPO since 2018.

Located in the north-eastern corner of the Iberian Peninsula, Catalonia is currently integrated into the Kingdom of Spain and is composed of 947 municipalities and four provinces (Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona). Catalan’s have their own language, parliament, civil law and traditions, Catalonia has further control over some public services and has its own police force. Recognizing and supporting the rights of the Catalan people to determine their own future is not only a matter of justice but also crucial for the health of democracy in Spain. 

The UNPO secretariat works for the rights of the people of Catalonia as a whole and might work with different civil society organizations, groups and representatives from Catalonia. However, the main organization representing the rights of the people of Catalonia within the UNPO membership and with voting rights at the General Assembly is the Assemblea Nacional Catalana. You can read more about the Assemblea Nacional Catalana here.

Catalonia’s cultural identity is deeply rooted in its language, Catalan, a Romance language derived from Latin, and its rich history of self-governance. The region’s unique cultural heritage, reflected in its traditions, art, music, and cuisine, has persisted despite centuries of attempts by both Spain and France to assimilate and suppress Catalonia’s distinct identity. 

Catalonia, located in the northeastern corner of Spain, has a complex and storied history that has profoundly shaped its identity and cultural heritage. The region traces its roots back to ancient Iberian tribes and later became a significant political entity with the establishment of the County of Barcelona in the Middle Ages. Catalonia played a key role in the formation of the Crown of Aragon, flourishing as a maritime power and contributing to the cultural and intellectual achievements of the Renaissance.

During the medieval period, Catalonia enjoyed significant autonomy, with the Catalan Courts serving as a legislative body and the Principality of Catalonia maintaining substantial political and judicial independence within the Crown of Aragon. However, the dynastic union of Aragon and Castile in the late 15th century marked the beginning of a gradual centralization of power in Spain. The War of the Spanish Succession in the early 18th century was a pivotal moment for Catalonia, as its defeat alongside the Habsburg pretender led to the imposition of the Nueva Planta decrees by Philip V. These decrees suppressed Catalan institutions and significantly eroded the region’s political and cultural distinctiveness.

Catalonia’s request to exercise their right of self determination and the organization of a referendum on the political future of the region is fueled by both historical grievances and contemporary challenges. Despite possessing a degree of autonomy, Catalonia lacks control over critical aspects of governance, finance, and legislation, which remain under the authority of the Spanish state. Efforts to enhance self-government, such as the 2010 Autonomy Statute, were met with significant resistance, culminating in a Spanish Constitutional Court ruling that curtailed Catalonia’s powers and deepened the region’s sense of disenfranchisement.

In recent years, particularly since the 2017 referendum on independence, which was met with brutal violence by the Spanish authorities and an increase in hate speech, Catalonia has witnessed a marked deterioration in human rights as the Spanish state intensified its efforts to quash Catalan self-determination. Freedoms of the press, speech, opinion, association, and assembly, along with the rights to liberty, security, and a fair trial, have all been increasingly undermined. The Spanish government has criminalized political dissent, particularly related to the Catalan independence movement, leading to widespread arrests of community activists, politicians, journalists, and other public figures who have expressed political opinions divergent from Madrid’s.

The Spanish government’s prioritization of the preservation of national unity, as enshrined in Article 2 of the Spanish Constitution, over fundamental democratic principles and human rights has led to the criminalization of Catalan political expression. Anti-terrorism legislation has been a key tool in this repression, used to target the Catalan pro-independence movement through charges and prosecutions against peaceful activists and public figures. These repressive measures have contributed to a broader erosion of democracy in Spain, exacerbating social tensions and undermining the democratic aspirations of the Catalan people.

Despite the introduction of an Amnesty Law in 2024 intended to annul prosecutions against Catalan pro-independence activists, its implementation remains uncertain due to Spain’s politicized judiciary. Key figures, such as Carles Puigdemont, were excluded from its provisions, and the law fails to address broader fundamental rights violations or provide reparations. The underlying repressive legal framework, including the Gag Law and anti-terrorism legislation, continues to threaten the rights of Catalans and jeopardizes the democratic process in Catalonia.

In a true democracy, the will of the people is paramount, and the right to self-determination is fundamental. The Catalan people, like any other, deserve the chance to decide their political and social future. A referendum is the most direct way to express this will peacefully and democratically. Persecuting those who advocate for such democratic processes undermines the core of democratic governance. The Spanish government’s refusal to allow a Catalan referendum raises serious concerns about the strength of democracy in Spain. Respecting Catalonia’s right to self-determination would not only strengthen Spain’s democracy but also show a commitment to resolving political issues through dialogue and respect for democratic principles.