Thousands protest over treatment of Basque prisoners

Tens of thousands of people have marched peacefully through Bilbao in Spain’s Basque region to protest against the treatment of separatist prisoners.

They want both Spain and France to end the policy of sending inmates to jails far from their homes.

The demonstration came amid speculation that ETA is mulling a permanent end to violence.

“We believe that if there is a will to overcome a sad phase in the history of the Basque country that has lasted for decades, then this will must exist on both sides. We think that today’s demonstration gives a clear sign that society demands more and more that all parties engage to begin a new phase,” said Pello Urizar, Secretary General of Eusko Alakartasuna, which means Basque solidarity.

Last September, ETA announced its 11th ceasefire in its 40-year armed struggle for an independent Basque homeland.

Considered a terrorist group by the EU and the US, ETA has been weakened by years of arrests and declining grass-roots support. Its banned political wing has called on the militants to renounce violence.

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