Realization of the Right to Freedom of Expression in Europe Can Once Again Face Obstacles

• 06.12.2017, 19:57
• Greta Avetisyan
•  Europe,  "Insight" Analytical Center ,  World,  Analytics

The regional government of Catalonia has declared about holding an independence referendum from Spain. At the referendum declared to be held on October 1, the following question will be asked: "Do you want Catalonia to be an independent country in the form of a republic?" For another time, however, the Spanish authorities called the attempt of the Catalans to realize their right to freedom of expression "illegal" and vowed to use all possible means to stop the referendum from being held.

Will Catalonia at least this time succeed in holding a referendum irrespective of the results?

First of all it should be mentioned that according to Spanish Constitution Madrid can force the regional government to drop the vote. Taking this into consideration the Spanish government has always blocked all the attempts of the Catalans to hold independence referendum. In this regard it is not excluded that the October 1 referendum will also end up with the same fate, taking also into consideration the fact that there is no change in the stance of the Spanish government on the issue. Moreover, the deputy Prime Minister of Spain has already declared that Catalonia can announce a referendum as many times as they want, but the referendum is not going to take place.

In parallel to this, it is also interesting that the last poll showed that 44.3 percent supports independence, while 48.5% of Catalans wants to continue with the status quo. It is noteworthy that the number of the supporters of independence decreases in parallel with economic growth in the country.

Despite these numbers, the polls also show that the majority of Catalans support holding an independence referendum to realize their right to freedom of expression, to which, the Spanish authorities openly oppose.

Does this mean that the principle of "equality" of the EU at least for its member states does not work anymore and in regard with certain issues the EU conducts discriminatory policy? Among the causes for such a policy can be the fact that Europe wants to escape from having examples of states that declared their independence through the right to freedom of expression, as this can become a precedent for many thus breaking certain balances and creating unstable situations. In this regard, it is not excluded, however, that preventing the realization of the right to freedom of expression will further bring dangerous consequences.