Foto: Ian Froome on Unsplash
Pubblicato originalmente in inglese: “There have been many dark days for Spanish democracy”. David Whyte e altri. The National. E qui.
27 aprile 2018
Cari colleghi:
Siamo anche noi professori, in vari campi che vanno dal Diritto alla Storia, le Scienze o la Comunicazione.
Abbiamo letto la vostra lettera al Direttore di «The National» dello scorso 20 aprile («Insegnanti di tutto il mondo
chiedono la liberazione dei prigionieri catalani») e vogliamo chiarire alcuni errori che questa lettera comporta.
Voi parlate dei giorni più bui della democrazia spagnola dal 1978; ci saremmo aspettati dai nostri colti colleghi
che non dimenticassero i giorni della fine di febbraio 1981, quando un piccolo gruppo di militari voleva porre
fine a questa giovane democrazia. Quei due giorni fatidici terminarono quando il re di Spagna respinse il colpo
di stato e i ribelli furono imprigionati. O, sicuramente, ricordate i giorni bui della democrazia spagnola quando i
terroristi di ETA, GAL, GRAPO o persino il gruppo terroristico catalano Terra Lliure, hanno attaccato persone
innocenti. Potevate anche aver menzionato come periodo buio della democrazia spagnola gli eventi dello scorso
settembre in Catalogna, quando il governo autonomo ha cercato di ignorare la volontà del suo popolo e
separare la regione dal resto della Spagna.
Invece di questo, avete preferito guardare a ciò che voi stessi, esperti nelle vostre rispettive discipline, chiamate
prigionieri politici. Ci sono prigionieri politici quando le persone sono perseguitate per le loro idee. In tutti i
vostri paesi ci sono stati prigionieri politici ad un certo punto della storia, quindi il concetto vi sarà familiare.
Quando un politico infrange la legge, va contro gli ordini giudiziari, ignora il parere legale di consulenti
indipendenti, agisce in modo illegale e flagrante contro il suo proprio regolamenti parlamentari e costituzionali
in un battere d’occhio, ignora completamente l’opposizione parlamentare (che rappresenta oltre il 50%
dell’elettorato) e passa letteralmente sui loro diritti parlamentari, agisce contro la volontà degli elettori e così
via, quindi il politico non è un prigioniero politico, ma un politico che è in prigione. Inoltre, quando detto politico
è in prigione preventiva perché il resto dei politici accusati ha deciso di fuggire all’azione della giustizia, il politico
continua senza essere un prigioniero politico; è semplicemente un politico che è in prigione per i suoi presunti
crimini mentre è in attesa di processo. Probabilmente, questo concetto vi è anche familiare. Non possiamo
immaginare che prestigiosi professori pensino che, se un presunto criminale è un politico, allora dovrebbe
essere autorizzato a sfuggire alla giustizia e ad evitare il giudizio. I tribunali dei vostri rispettivi paesi
tratterebbero i politici, compresi gli insegnanti coinvolti in politica, con lo stesso rispetto per lo stato di diritto.
L’Unione Europea ha esaminato la questione della Catalogna in molte occasioni. E lo ha fatto nell’unico modo
ragionevole: sperando che i tribunali seguiranno le procedure appropriate e ricordando a tutti che l’opposizione
è possibile, all’interno dei meccanismi democratici.
L’idea che quelli di noi in favore della costituzione del 1978 (una delle più liberali in Europa) siamo gli eredi del
regime di Franco, è, francamente, completamente offensivo, e la respingiamo nei termini più forti.
Per concludere, cari colleghi, dovreste chiedervi una cosa: come è possibile che quelli di noi che si oppongono
al separatismo debbano subire attacchi per una presunta mancanza di credenziali democratiche?
Cordiali saluti,
(In ordine cronologico) Membri del Forum degli Insegnanti:
1. Alfonso Valero (Principal Lecturer of Law at Nottingham Trent University)
2. José A. Olmeda (Professor of Political Science at UNED University)
3. Miguel Ángel Quintana Paz (Senior lecturer in of moral and social philosophy at Universidad Europea Miguel
de Cervantes)
4. Ferran Brunet (Senior Lecturer at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)
5. Roberto Muñoz Bolaños (lecturer of Military History at the Instituto Universitario General Gutiérrez
Mellado of the UNED University)
6. Antonio Hermosa Andújar (Senior lecturer in Aesthetics and History Philosophy at the University of Seville)
7. Camilo José Cela Conde (Research Scholar, University of California Irvine)
8. Isabel Fernández Alonso (Senior Lecturer in Communication at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)
9. Federico A. Castillo Blanco (Professor of Public Law at University of Granada)
10. Manuel Fernández Salmerón (Senior Lecturer of Public Law at University of Murcia)
11. Daniel Sarmiento Ramírez-Escudero (Senior Lecturer of Public law at University Complutense of Madrid)
12. Araceli Mangas Martín (Professor of Internacional Public Law at University Complutense of Madrid)
13. Jose Javier Olivas Osuna (Associate at the Conflict and Civil Society Unit, LSE)
14. Ignacio Fernández Sarasola (Senior Lecturer of Constitucional Law at University of Oviedo)
15. Juan Antonio García Amado (Professor of Philosophy of law at the University of León)
16. Fernando Jiménez Sánchez (senior lecturer of political science at the University of Murcia and expert for
GRECO, Council of Europe)
17. Rafael Arenas (Professor of Private International Law at the University Autónoma of Barcelona)
18. Roberto Villa García (Senior Lecturer of Political History at Rey Juan Carlos University)
19. Jesús G. Maestro (Senior lecturer of Theory of the Literature and Comparative literature at University of
Vigo)
20. Carmen González Enríquez (Professor of Polítical Sciences at UNED University)
21. Carlos Martínez Gorriarán (Senior Lecturer of Philosophy at the University of UPV/EHU)
22. Carlos Vidal Prado (Professor of Constitutional Law at the UNED UNiversity)
23. Roberto Colom (Professor of Physiology at the University Autónoma of Madrid)
24. Javier Fernández Sebastián (Professor of History of Political Thought at the University of UPV/EHU)
25. Francisco J. Bastida Freijedo (Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Oviedo)
26. Javier Ruipérez Alamillo (Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Coruña)
27. César Aguado Renedo (Senior Lecturer of Constitutional Law at the University Autónoma of Madrid)
28. Mauricio Suárez (Professor of Logic at University Complutense of Madrid and Research Associate at LSE)
29. Pedro José Chacón Delgado (Senior Lecturer of Constitucional law at the University of UPV/EHU)
30. Ángel José Sànchez Navarro (Professor of Constitutional Law at the University Complutense of Madrid)
31. Joaquín González Ibáñez (Senior Lecturer of International Law and International Relations at the University
Alfonso X of Madrid)
32. Miguel Otero (Senior Lecturer of International Relations at IE – Madrid)
33. Carlos Ruiz Miguel (Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Santiago de Compostela)
34. Juan Ramón Fernández Torres (Professor of Public Law at the University Complutense of Madrid)
35. David Jiménez Torres (Lecturer of Humanities at University Camilo José Cela – Madrid)
36. Rafael Palomino (Professor of Ecclesiastical law at University Complutense of Madrid)
37. Florentino Portero (Senior Lecturer of Contemporary History at the University Francisco de Vitoria)
38. Javier Tajadura Tejada (Professor of Constitutional Law at University of UPV/EHU)
39. Mikel Arteta (Dr. in Moral and Political Phylosophy)
40. María Acracia Nuñez Martínez (Lecturer in Public law)
41. Julio Carabaña (Professor of Sociology at University Complutense of Madrid)
42. Cristina Satin Nuno (Senior Lecturer of Geography at the Swansea University)
43. Helena Torroja Mateu (Lecturer of International Public Law at the University of Barcelona)
44. Fernando Vadillo (Senior Lecturer Applied Maths at the University UPV)
45. Cástor M. Díaz Barrado (Professor of International Public Law and International Relations at University
Juan Carlos)
46. Teresa González de la Fe (Professor of Sociology at University of La Laguna)
47. Juan Jose Rubio Guerrero (Professor and Dean of the Law School at the university of Castilla La Mancha)
48. José Joaquín Fernández Alles (Senior Lecturer of Constitutional Law at the University of Cadiz)
49. José Montalbán Castilla (Ph.D Candidate at Paris School of Economics)
50. Luis Castellví Laukamp (MHRA Postdoctoral Scholar in Hispanic Studies) at the University of Cambridge)
Altri accademici:
51. Stanley Payne (Emeritus Professor of History at Wisconsin-Madison University)
52. Josu de Miguel Bárcena (Senior lecturer of Constitucional Law at University Autónoma of Barcelona)
53. Javier Huerta Calvo (Professor of Spanish literature at University Complutense of Madrid)
54. Luis Jimena Quesada (Professor of Constitucional law at University of Valencia)
55. Carlos Garrido López (Senior lecturer of Constitucional law at University of Zaragoza)
56. Ricardo Miralles (Professor of Contemporary History at University of UPV/EHU)
57. Antonio Arroyo Gil (Lecturer of Constitutional Law at the University Autónoma of Madrid)
58. Iñaki Iriarte (Senior Lecturer of History of Political Thought at University UPV/EHU)
59. Juan Francisco Fuentes (Professor of Contemporary History at the University Complutense of Madrid)
60. Montserrat Baras (Senior Lecturer of Political Sciences at the University Autónoma de Barcelona)
61. Rafael Lasaga (Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of UPV/EHU)
62. Francisco Javier García Roca (Professor of Constitutional Law at the University Complutense of Madrid)
63. Miguel Azpitarte Sánchez (Senior lecturer of Constitucional law at the University of Granada)
64. Víctor Ferreres Comella (Professor of Constitutional Law at the University Pompeu Fabra)
65. Carmen Sanz Ayán (Professor of Modern History at the University Complutense of Madrid)
66. Francisco Castilla Urbano (Lecturer of History of Polítical Thought at the University of Alcalá de Henares)
67. Gerardo López Sastre (Senior lecturer of Philosophy at University of Castilla La Mancha)
68. José Antonio Antón Pacheco (Senior Lecturer of History of Phylosophy at the University of Seville)
69. Rafael Torres Sánchez (University of Navarra)
70. Francisco Javier Espinosa Senior lecturer at University of Castilla La Mancha)
71. Eloy Fernández Clemente (Professor of Economic History at University of Zaragoza)
72. Laura Sancho Rocher (Professor of Ancient History at University of Zaragoza)
73. Eliseo Serrano Martín (Professor of Modern History at University of Zaragoza)
74. Carlos Ramón Fernández Liesa (Professor of International Public Law and International Relations at the
University Carlos III)
75. Carlos Fernández de Casadevante Romani (Professor of Public International law and International
Relations at the University Rey Juan Carlos)
76. Francisco Jesús Carrera Hernández (Professor of Public International Law at the University of La Rioja)
77. Juan Sisinio Pérez Garzón (Professor of History at the University of Castilla La Mancha)
78. Juan Alfonso Santamaría Pastor (Professor of Public Law at the University Complutense of Madrid)
79. Lourdes Ruano Espina (Professor of Law of Ecclesiastical Law at the University of Salamanca)
80. Eulalia W Petit de Gabriel (Senior Lecturer of International Public Law and International Relations at the
University of Seville)
81. Nicolás Navarro Batista (Professor of Public International Law at the University of Las Palmas of Gran
Canaria)
82. Julián Chaves Palacios (Senior Lecturer of Contemporary History at the University of Extremadura)
83. José Vicente Castell Ripoll (Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Valencia)
84. Julio Iglesias de Ussel (Professor of Sociology at University Complutense of Madrid)
85. Alberto Ramos Santana (Professor of Contemporary History at University of Cadiz)
86. Carmen Pérez González (Senior Lecturer of International Public Law at the University Carlos III).
87. Rafael Bonete Perales (Senior Lecturer of Applied Economy at the University of Salamanca)
88. José Luis García Delgado (Emeritus Professsor of Applied Economy at University Complutense of Madrid)
89. María Luisa Terol Esteban (Professor of Sanitary Procedures)
90. María-Dolores Albiac Blanco (Emeritus Professor at University of Zaragoza)
91. Gustavo Raúl de las Heras Sánchez (Professor of Roman Law at University of Castilla-La Mancha)
92. Luis Miguel Macho (Professor of Public law at University of Santiago de Compostela)
93. Jesús Gonzalez Lopez (Professor of Microbiology at the University of Granada)
94. Lucía Millán Moro (Professor of International Public Law at University Pablo de Olavide)
95. Fanny Castro-Rial Garrone (Senior Lecturer of International Public Law at the UNED University)
96. Antonio Guillamon (Emeritus Professor of Psychobiology at the UNED University)
97. Juan José Laborda (Emeritus Professor of Modern History, Director of the Professorship on Parliamentary
Democracy at University Juan Carlos, member of the Royal Academy of History)
98. Cesáreo Gutiérrez Espada (Professor of International Public Law and International Relations at University
of Murcia)
99. Antonio Cidoncha Martín (Lecturer of Constitutional Law at the University Autónoma of Madrid)
100. Blanca Vilà Costa (Professor of International Private law at University Autónoma of Barcelona)
101. Juan Ramón de Páramo Arguelles (Professor in Phylosophy of Law at University of Castilla La Mancha)
102. Miguel Carrera Troyano (Senior Lecturer of Applied Economics at the University of Salamanca)
103. Mariano Fernández Enguita (Professor of Sociology at the University Complutense of Madrid)
104. Jesús Baz Rodríguez (Senior Lecturer of Employment Law at University of Salamanca)
105. Juan Manuel Bautista Jiménez (Lecturer of International Public Law at University of Salamanca)
106. José Manuel Cortés Martín (Professor of International Public Law at International Public Law at University
Pablo de Olavide)
107. Antonio Jiménez-Blanco Carrillo de Albornoz (Professor of Public Law at the Polytechnic University of
Madrid)
108. Ángeles González Fernández (Professor of Contemporary History at the University of Seville)
109. Rafael Calduch Cervera (Professor of International Relations at the University Complutense of Madrid)
110. Óscar Alzaga Villaamil (Emeritus Professor of Constitutional Law at UNED University)
111. Josep María Castellà Andreu (Associate professor of Constitutional Law at University of Barcelona)
112. Maria del Rosario Carmona Luque (Senior Lecturer of International Public Law at University Pablo de
Olavide)
113. Carlos Javier Moreiro González (Professor of International Law, Jean Monnet ad personam Professor of
EU Law at University Carlos III)
114. Vicente Álvarez García (Professor of Public Law at the University of Extremadura)
115. Emilio La Parra López (Professor of Contemporary History at the University of Alicante)
116. Vicente Montesinos (Professor of Applied Maths at Valencia Polytechnic University)
Altre firme:
117. Gonzalez Laynez, Carlota (Project Coordinator, Nottingham Law School)
118. Gorka Maneiro (Speaker of Ahora)
119. Natalia Lacalle Mangas (Legal counsel at Eli Lilly)
120. Santiago Martínez Lage (lawyer)
