Closure Of Basque Language Newspaper, Egunkaria

EDM number 913 in 2002-03, proposed by Simon Thomas on 18/03/2003.

That this House expresses its surprise at the action taken by the Spanish Government to close the only daily Basque newspaper, Egunkaria, including its on-line English edition; notes that this newspaper has reported across the Basque political spectrum and that its closure has been condemned by the European Bureau of Lesser Used Languages; recalls the oppression of the Basque language and people under Franco's fascism; rejects the use of violence in pursuit of political ends in the Basque country and beyond, but asserts the right of free expression; and calls on the Government to express its disapproval of this action to the Spanish authorities.

This motion has been signed by a total of 15 MPs.