BASQUE COUNTRY: DEATH OF FORMER 'EGIN' EDITOR

The funeral took place last month of Jose Ramon Aranguren, a former editor of the Basque language newspaper 'Egin'. When the paper was banned by the Spanish government Jose Ramon Aranguren was one of a number of staff threatened with imprisonment.

Mr Ramon Aranguren, who was 71 years old was a highly respected figure in Basque society. A prominent Basque nationalist, he had spent his life campaigning for the Basque language and political rights. Indeed, he was active up until his death being involved in an ongoing court case with twenty other pensioners, indicted because they had offered to take the place in jail of seriously ill Basque political prisoners.

It is a sad reflection on the Spanish State that it should choose to persecute people of pension age for what is essentially a humanitarian and it is highly probable that the stress and pressure of the ongoing litigation contributed to the death from heart failure of this great man.

A link to a memorial event can be found below:

(voir le site) @N05/3204364077/in/set-72157612640560969/

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League 08/01/09