UN warns of rise in hate crimes against Catalans

UN warns of rise in hate crime complaints against Catalans

The United Nations Human Rights Committee has turned its attention to Spain. During the first review session on civil and political rights held in Geneva, the body noted an increase in hate crime complaints affecting various groups, including Catalans. This is the first time in ten years that Spain has undergone this examination. The meeting concluded with uncomfortable warnings and a question that the Spanish delegation avoided addressing.

What exactly does the UN committee say?

The body, responsible for monitoring compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, identified a rise in hate crime complaints impacting Roma, Jewish, Muslim, LGBT, Catalan communities, and people of African descent. US lawyer Laurence Helfer, a committee expert, described the trend as worrying and specifically warned about the increase in neo-fascist hate speech, particularly among teenagers, both online and at demonstrations.

The session went beyond mere statistics. The committee also questioned racial profiling by police, reparations for Franco-era victims, recognition of non-binary individuals, and efforts to combat gender-based violence. According to accounts of the day, the Spanish delegation ignored references to the Catalan people during their interventions.

The question Spain did not answer regarding Puigdemont and Junqueras

Chilean member Hernán Quezada went further. He recalled that a 2018 Supreme Court ruling, concerning a case of violence against women, recognized the binding nature of the committee's decisions on eliminating discrimination against women. He asked if this same stance applies to the human rights committee's views on Oriol Junqueras and Carles Puigdemont.

This stems from two separate resolutions, from 2022 and 2023, where the UN concluded that Spain abusa the political rights of Oriol Junqueras, Raül Romeva, Josep Rull, Jordi Turull, and Carles Puigdemont by suspending them as MPs before any conviction related to the October 1 referendum, without reasons the committee deemed reasonable and objective. Quezada also asked how Spain ensures the implementation of recommendations and if there is a mechanism to monitor them. Another expert inquired about investigations into police violence during the October 1 referendum.

Ambassador admits errors; report due July 14

Marcos Gómez, Spain's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, highlighted measures taken by the government in recent years to address these issues but acknowledged that there are still some errors to correct. A second session was scheduled for the trinc morning, and the committee's conclusions will be adopted on July 14.

Funding of the office signing the reports

One recurring line of criticism points to the source of funding. Some argue that the Generalitat de Catalunya paid nearly half a million euros last year to the UN office that produced the Pegasus report, noting it is not the first time the Catalan government has funded this body, which is accused of producing reports aligned with pro-independence arguments. Other figures circulating include €1.3 million given to the High Commissioner, with €200,000 recently allocated, adding to €290,000 from 2021 and €350,000 from 2020, among other contributions. The conclusion drawn from these numbers is uncomfortable: if the payer is a stakeholder, the report's authority is undermined.

The narrative of victimization and its counterpart

In contrast, another perspective emphasizes that the UN is not inventing anything; it simply notes an increase in hate crime complaints. It adds a nuance that bothers both sides: victimhood belongs to no one exclusively. Some recall that during the procés (independence process), inflammatory speeches came from the pro-independence side without comment from the committee, while others respond that police violence on October 1 has not been thoroughly investigated either.

The analysis hits a deadlock here. Some see a technical warning from an international body; others view it as an operation funded with public money. Meanwhile, July 14 approaches.