Basque Ceasefire Statement

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Country/entity: Spain
Basque Country
Region: Europe and Eurasia
Agreement name: Basque Ceasefire Statement
Date: 1 Oct 2011
Agreement status: Unilateral document
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Basque Conflict (1959 - 2011)
Since 1959, the Basque National Liberation Movement, with the separatist group Euskadi Ta Askata-suna (ETA) being the most important armed group, engaged the Spanish and French governments in a political and armed conflict in an attempt to gain independence in the Basque region. Known as Europe's longest running war, the conflict killed over a 1,000. Peace talks were not formally held until 1989, but fell through and violence resumed until another ceasefire was announced by ETA in 1996. Successive Spanish governments rejected talks with ETA until 1998, nonetheless the Spanish government refused to discuss any demands for independence. However, when the government prematurely blamed ETA for the Madrid train bombing in 2004, the conservative government lost to the socialist party who began peace talks. In 2006 ETA announced another ceasefire, and talks continued into 2007 despite the explosion of a car bomb at Madrid airport in 2007. The end of negotiations in 2007 led to an intensified crackdown on ETA by the Spanish government. In 2010, ETA announced an end to armed conflict after intense crackdowns. An international peace conference held in October 2011 resulted in a plea for ETA to renounce violence. Since then violence has ceased. ETA’s official disarmament began in April 2017 and formal disbandment of the group was finalized in May 2018.
Stage: Ceasefire/related
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Spain - Basque internal process
Parties: Euskadi ta Askatasuna
Third parties: -
Description: A short, non-substantial declaration by Eta committing to a ceasefire.

Agreement document: SP-B_110120_BasqueCeasefireDeclaration.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): Page 1,
... A new political time is emerging in the Basque country. We have an historical opportunity to find a just and democratic solution for the centuries old political conflict. Dialogue and agreement should outline the new cycle, over violence and repression. The recognition of the Basque country and the respect for the will of the people should prevail over imposition.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: Page 1,
... Long live the free Euskal Herria! Long live Basque socialism! No rest until independence and socialism!
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: Page 1,
... Eta considers that the international conference that has recently taken place in the Basque country is an initiative of enormous significance. The agreed resolution includes all the elements for an integral solution of the conflict, and it has attained the support of a wide spectrum of the Basque society and the international community.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: Page 1,
... A new political time is emerging in the Basque country. We have an historical opportunity to find a just and democratic solution for the centuries old political conflict. Dialogue and agreement should outline the new cycle, over violence and repression. The recognition of the Basque country and the respect for the will of the people should prevail over imposition.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: Rights related issues→Media and communication→Other
Page 1,
... A new political time is emerging in the Basque country. We have an historical opportunity to find a just and democratic solution for the centuries old political conflict. Dialogue and agreement should outline the new cycle, over violence and repression. The recognition of the Basque country and the respect for the will of the people should prevail over imposition.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: No specific mention.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: Page 1,
... Eta considers that the international conference that has recently taken place in the Basque country is an initiative of enormous significance. The agreed resolution includes all the elements for an integral solution of the conflict, and it has attained the support of a wide spectrum of the Basque society and the international community.

Page 1,
... From here on the road will not be easy either. Facing the imposition that still exists, every step, every achievement, will be the result of the effort and fight of Basque citizens. During these years the Basque country has accumulated the necessary experience and strength to address this path and it also has the determination for doing it. It is time to look at the future with hope. It is also time to act with responsibility and courage.

Page 1,
... Therefore, Eta has decided the definitive cessation of its armed activity. Eta calls upon the Spanish and French governments to open a process of direct dialogue with the aim of addressing the resolution of the consequences of the conflict and, thus, to overcome the armed confrontation. Thorough this historical declaration, Eta shows its clear, solid and definitive commitment.

Page 1,
... Lastly, Eta calls upon the Basque society to commit to this process until freedom and peace are achieved.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
Page 1,
... Therefore, Eta has decided the definitive cessation of its armed activity. Eta calls upon the Spanish and French governments to open a process of direct dialogue with the aim of addressing the resolution of the consequences of the conflict and, thus, to overcome the armed confrontation. Thorough this historical declaration, Eta shows its clear, solid and definitive commitment.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: Page 1,
... This has not been an easy road. The cruelty of the fight has taken away the lives of many comrades. Many others are still suffering in prison and in exile. Our recognition and deepest tribute goes out to them.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/20/basque-ceasefire-statement-full-text

Basque Ceasefire Declaration

With this declaration, Euskadi ta Askatasuna, the Basque socialist revolutionary organisation for national liberation, wishes to give news of its decision:

Eta considers that the international conference that has recently taken place in the Basque country is an initiative of enormous significance.

The agreed resolution includes all the elements for an integral solution of the conflict, and it has attained the support of a wide spectrum of the Basque society and the international community.

A new political time is emerging in the Basque country.

We have an historical opportunity to find a just and democratic solution for the centuries old po litical conflict.

Dialogue and agreement should outline the new cycle, over violence and repression.

The recognition of the Basque country and the respect for the will of the people should prevail over imposition.

This has not been an easy road.

The cruelty of the fight has taken away the lives of many comrades.

Many others are still suffering in prison and in exile.

Our recognition and deepest tribute goes out to them.

From here on the road will not be easy either.

Facing the imposition that still exists, every step, every achievement, will be the result of the effort and fight of Basque citizens.

During these years the Basque country has accumulated the necessary experience and strength to address this path and it also has the determination for doing it.

It is time to look at the future with hope.

It is also time to act with responsibility and courage.

Therefore, Eta has decided the definitive cessation of it s armed activity.

Eta calls upon the Spanish and French governments to open a process of direct dialogue with the aim of addressing the resolution of the consequences of the conflict and, thus, to overcome the armed confrontation.

Thorough this historical declaration, Eta shows its clear, solid and definitive commitment.

Lastly, Eta calls upon the Basque society to commit to this process until freedom and peace are achieved.

Long live the free Euskal Herria!

Long live Basque socialism!

No rest until independence and socialism!

Basque country, 20 October 2011

Euskadi ta Askatasuna

Eta