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Proposal for dialogue and mediation in the current political context
In view of the serious events that occurred on Sunday, October 1st, with flagrant transgression of human rights, as well as the current context and the political and social situation in Catalonia, the Catalan Ombudsman reiterates its strong position in favour of dialogue without conditions, at a time when the fulfilment human rights in Spain are at risk, including the most basic rights.
Article 4 of Law 24/2009 sets out that one of the functions of the Catalan Ombudsman is promoting conciliation and carrying out, if necessary and within its sphere of action, mediation or dispute resolution.
The Law establishes that, in exercising the functions of mediation, "the Ombudsman shall organize the exchange of views between the parties involved, encouraging that they reach an agreement and formulating proposals of conflict resolution, without binding character, so that those affected can freely decide on the basis of these proposals".
For all of this, and within the framework of its powers, the Catalan Ombudsman offers the institution of the Ombudsman of Catalonia in its mediating role to public authorities, in order to organize –in the areas of Catalonia, Spain and the international community– a table of understanding and agreement, from institutional responsibility and full respect for human rights by all branches of government to the highest levels of the three branches of separation of powers (legislative, executive and judicial), and – specifically the Spanish Prime Minister and the Prime Minister of the Government of Catalonia– the Spanish Parliament and the Parliament of Catalonia, and the other powers of the State, as well as the Ombudsman.
The Catalan Ombudsman proposes to agree, as a common starting point between all those concerned, to set the tramline to zero for agreement and understanding.
The Catalan Ombudsman reminds that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights states that the current situation must be resolved through political dialogue, with full respect for democratic freedoms, and has called for an independent and impartial investigation into the facts.
The Catalan Ombudsman has also exposed the numerous signs of support and condemnation of the facts that the institution has received at the international level.
