April 23, 2025 RM
Presidency,
Security, and Internal Regulations Committee of Barcelona City Council,
Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
Today,
Wednesday, April 23, I would be delighted to stroll through any Catalan
neighborhood or city and enjoy the incomparable atmosphere of Sant Jordi's Day,
because it is a beautiful day dedicated to culture and sharing feelings with
the people you care about.
But
I have to be in the office, because the inquiries from victims continue, and
neither do the surreal surprises regarding the procedures of the competent
administrations.
Speaking
of administrations... I already mentioned that I would let a few days pass
before sharing the consequences of the session held last Wednesday, April 16,
at Barcelona City Council.
First,
the background.
I'm
providing the link so you can consult the exact details of the PRESIDENTIAL,
SECURITY, AND INTERNAL REGIME COMMITTEE.
Regarding
the points related to the proposals for the benefit of victims of terrorism,
the information can be found at the following link (I transcribe the relevant
information directly in underlined text):
Regarding
the points related to the proposals for the benefit of victims of terrorism,
the information can be found at the following link (I have directly transcribed
the relevant information in underlined text):
https://www.barcelona.cat/infobarcelona/ca/tema/ajuntament/impuls-i-control-a-la-comissio-de-presidencia-seguretat-i-regim-interior-abril-2025_1505031.html
Finally,
the Barcelona en Comú Municipal Group has presented a proposal containing the
content of an institutional declaration to offer its condolences to all victims
of terrorism and convey the support and warmth of the city of Barcelona. It has
also urged the Congress of Deputies to support the request for the highest
ranking officials of the CNI at the time of the August 17 attacks to appear
before the parliamentary inquiry committee, in order to clarify the terms of
the relationship between Es-Satty and the CNI. He also urged the parliamentary
groups in the Catalan Parliament to promote a law on recognition and reparation
for victims of terrorism, and the Catalan government to develop a comprehensive
assistance system for victims of terrorism.
The
proposal was approved. Votes:
In
favor: Junts×BCN, PSC, BComú, ERC.
Abstention:
PP.
Against:
Vox.
Upon
leaving the session and when I was asked about its progress, I was able to
comment on the voting results and comment on some situations that, obviously,
are of a personal nature and do not appear in the official information.
I
begin by explaining that the session was directly related to a series of
proposals I presented more than two decades ago, when I was the Catalonia
delegate for the former AVT (Catalan Association of Victims of Terrorism). Not
a single one of the municipal representatives with whom I was able to speak,
dialogue, and discuss those proposals remains from those distant years,
although it is an honor to remember that in June 2003, the monument I had first
requested in 1997 was inaugurated.
Therefore,
of the proposals presented, one had already been approved, but the following
were (and remain) pending:
One)
the Regional Law
Two)
the Office for Assistance to Victims of Terrorism
Three)
the post-attack assistance protocol
4)
the creation of the Historical Memory Center on Terrorism.
These
four proposals were also presented, hand-in-hand and by many of the victims
present, to 29 of the 30 politicians who confirmed their attendance at the
event on La Rambla for the seventh anniversary of the August 2017 attacks.
Therefore,
I interpret my presence at the session last Wednesday, April 16, as a response
to the information presented.
However,
out of everything discussed in the session, there was one situation I didn't
expect, and it shows the extent to which some people unfortunately take
positions and make comments that, if they are sincere and have a conscience,
should be reconsidered.
Before
the session began, I had a respectful greeting and brief conversations with the
representatives of Junts×BCN, PSC, BComú, and ERC. I know some of them because
they have visited the UAVAT headquarters in Torre Jussana and/or because they
have held conversations at municipal events or in phone calls and WhatsApp
messages, inquiring about the situation of many victims of terrorism
(especially in August 2017). We have exchanged opinions and criteria, which
were not always consistent, but always in a climate of constructive dialogue.
When
the session began with the interventions of the representatives of the
political parties present, each of them thanked me for my presence,
acknowledging my work in assisting victims of terrorism since I became a victim
in June 1987. (* END NOTE)
But
it was surprising that the representatives of the PP and Vox also joined these
thanks, even though they've never called to express their interest, much less
made a single visit to the TorreJussana headquarters. I don't even know them
because I've never shared a single word with them.
How
can you express your gratitude for the presence of someone you don't even know?
Honestly,
faced with such a display of cynicism, I wanted to get up and leave, but I'm
very clear that to comment on the opinions and arguments of others, you must
first listen to them. I stayed in my seat, hoping to speak with them at the end
of the session.
Unfortunately,
they didn't even come by to say goodbye. But that's no problem. I ask that if
anyone knows them, please pass on this proposal: they are always welcome at
TorreJussana so that we can have direct information about what needs to be done
to care for "THE" victims of terrorism. You can contact me at
eltrasteroazul@gmail.com, and we'll arrange a time and date without any
problems (at least on my part).
Furthermore,
I am presenting this proposal because it was surreal to hear from one of them
that they didn't support the proposals because they didn't want to play the
game of "instrumentalizing" the victims of terrorism. Are they
serious? Will we one day talk, calmly, about those who
"instrumentalize" the victims of terrorism? I have more than 35 years
of experience. Do they want to know it?
Honestly,
I cannot agree that, when there is a ruling that says victims have the right to
know the truth, they are accused of being instrumentalized because they want to
exercise that same right.
I
cannot agree with the fact that there was no vote in favor of urging the
parliamentary groups in the Parliament of Catalonia to promote a law on
recognition and reparation for victims of terrorism, and the Catalan government
to develop a comprehensive assistance system for victims of terrorism, with the
argument that it would be "instrumentalizing" the victims of
terrorism.
I
repeat. I'm making public my proposal to Mr. Milián and Mr. Oro-Pulido to come
to TorreJussana so we can discuss the matter with all the peace of mind that
comes from having the documentation that proves everything I've just explained.
And
what I'm (still, for now) keeping quiet about.
And
when they come, if they come, I'll explain it too, because when things are done
right, they must be explained too.
