On Wednesday, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska chaired a meeting of the Security Board of the Basque Country, alongside the First Vice President of the Basque Government and Security Counsel, Josu Erkoreka. During this meeting, he also welcomed the new Minister of Justice and Human Rights of the Basque Government, María Jesús San José López, who holds responsibilities related to prison matters.
This gathering marked the first Security Board meeting since the establishment of the new Basque government led by Imanol Pradales from the PNV. The meeting signaled the resumption of bilateral talks with regions that operate regional police forces, as stated in the agenda reviewed by Europa Press.
In contrast, the Security Board for Catalonia remains uncertain as negotiations to form a government are still underway. There is a possibility of re-elections following the suspension of the meeting initially scheduled for March 25. This suspension faced criticism from the Catalan Minister of Interior, Juan Ignasi Elena, due to the electoral process that resulted in victory for socialist candidate Salvador Illa.
During recent electoral campaigns in both the Basque Country and Catalonia, national police unions and the Civil Guard voiced concerns over negotiations that would allow the Ertzaintza and the Mossos d’Esquadra to take on responsibilities for airports and ports in their respective regions. Marlaska strongly rebutted these claims, emphasizing that border control is an exclusive competency of the state, and therefore only the Civil Guard and National Police should handle it. He denied any pressure regarding the division of policing responsibilities.
In the latest Security Board meeting, Marlaska and Erkoreka prioritized two key areas for enhancing cooperation: the fight against violence against women and addressing cybercrime. They discussed integrating the Ertzaintza into the Cybercrime Observatory to strengthen efforts in these areas.
Additionally, Minister Marlaska is set to meet María Jesús San José López in Madrid on the same day. This meeting is significant as she oversees matters related to prisons following the transfer of authority from the Pedro Sánchez government in 2021.
On July 15, San José expressed her commitment to ensuring that when ETA prisoners are released, they acknowledge the pain and injustice caused by their actions. She aims to prepare these individuals to reintegrate into a Basque society that contrasts sharply with their past beliefs. She stated, “Our responsibility is to see that when they are released, they do so with remorse for the harm inflicted, empathy for their victims, and a willingness to reconnect with society.” However, she acknowledged that this outcome does not always occur when sentences are completed.
San José also highlighted the lasting impact of the pain inflicted on victims, who cannot forget their suffering. Additionally, she noted the consequences for the offenders, which include serving their sentences while ensuring their rights are upheld. Organizations representing terrorism victims, like AVT and Covite, have criticized the Basque Government’s penitentiary policies, alleging a calculated and increasingly rapid strategy to grant reduced sentences to unrepentant ETA members.
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/espana/agencias/2024/07/22/marlaska-preside-el-miercoles-la-junta-de-seguridad-del-pais-vasco-y-recibe-a-la-consejera-del-pse-a-cargo-de-prisiones/
