Following the current events in Catalonia in the run up to the planned independence referendum, deemed illegal by the Spanish authorities, we urge both sides to restrain from violence and try to find a diplomatic solution respecting the rule of law as well as freedom of speech and assembly. We acknowledge that the referendum is in violation of the Spanish constitution, but we still believe that voting in a referendum should stand as best practice in order to resolve territorial political conflicts.
We therefore urge the Spanish government and the Catalan authorities to enter into dialogue in order to find a legal solution enabling a referendum, following the example set by the UK regarding the Scottish independence referendum.
