trial which has been held at the 31st Correctional Chamber in Paris with 81
people accused of 'criminal association with a terrorist organisation' but
in reality Basque political refugees - fleeing from torture and GAL, who had
gone into hiding in 1987 because of the political actions of the French
state - and also those families who had shelterred them.
A demonstration in Paris on November 11th attracted about 1500 people and
was led by an immense Breton flag, recalling the solidarity shown to the
Basques by this group. We had been awaiting comrades from the Basque country
who were to join us but the French and Spanish police in a collaborative
effort decided to close the borders which reminds us that Schengen's Europe
is based on solidarity neither with those refugees from the South (of the
Basque country TN) nor the people who form the country. That is why 20
coaches had to turn back.
During the trial it was clear that a play was being acted out with the main
actors being the magistrate Le Vert and the prosecuting council Stoller from
the prosecutors section of the anti-terrorist section (decorated by the
Spanish authorities for services rendered in the struggle against the Basque
people and members of APM - a far right trade union). One prosecutor who,
recalling that such and such a person had been seen with Basque refugees and
that that was sufficient to determine guilt, went on to claim that they
should be charged with the Schuller affair having had their photo taken in
his company...
The judgements passed for the majority were suspended prison sentences but
for two of the defendants the verdicts are more severe and they face the
possibility of imprisonment. The verdict on those who were claiming right of
asylum will be given on Wednesday 20th December at 9.00 am. We are calling
on all to support us at the Palais de Justice.
Scarcely had the judgements been made than the police began to round up more
Basque political refugees and their Breton hosts in the region around Rennes
thru November.
However if the criminalisation of giving help to regfugees is to give rise
to harsh punishment in contrast France has no intention of prosecuting those
assassins who have acted with impunity. That is why the Euskadi solidarity
Committee has called for demonstrations whilst stating: Determined to resist
solidarity, the French State has also blocked all investigations to find the
French people responsible for GAL - para military commandos put in place to
kill refugees and spread terror in the northern part of the Basque Country -
they have killed 28 and there have been many more attempts since 1987.
Recent developments during investigations instigated in Spain have
demonstrated to any who had their doubts that GAL had been created by the
Gonzalez government. They have also turned up leads relating to French State
involvement which governments up until now have tried to hide with
collaboration from the media, the courts and the police. Everything goes in
the suppression of truth.
For example, Joel Cathala, commissioner of the police air and border
division who was responsible for co-ordinating the struggle aginst ETA has
he not been charged in Spain by a police officer who claims to have given
him money? In a legal case Basque journals have given instances and are
claiming millions of francs were offered for their silence. A brave judge in
Bayonne asked for information regarding a member of the DST who has come to
court in one of the rare French underlings to have been charged. She was
denied by the Home Secretary on security grounds.
This is how the French State imprison the victims but protect State
terrorists. Every Thursday we demonstrate in front of the HQ of the PS in
rue de Solferino (Metro Solferino from 6.30-7.30 pm in order to get an
answer to our question: what was your role in GAL?
Committee for Basque Solidarity
c/o PADI BP 232 75624 PARIS CEDEX 13
WRITE FOR MOURAD!
-----------------
Mourad BELKHIRAT, 23 years old and of Algerian nationality is one of the
founding members of the Homeless Committee.
He came to France two years ago seeking political assylum which was refused=
him.
As you will see in the letter from Abbot Pierre to the Home Secretary (see
end of this message) this young man has actively participated in a movement
for disinherited youth and the homeless.
He helps, within the framework of the 'Right to Housing Association' (DAL)
and in which he has been an active participant, French and immigrant failies
find shelter. Often he actively seeks solutions for these families to solve
their accommodation needs, often spending hours making phone calls.
His life is under threat in Algeria.
We respectfully ask you to send letters to the following destinations (if
necessary drawing inspiration from the Abbot's letter):
- To the President of the Republic:
Palais de l'Elysee
75008 Paris
(note : no need for a stamp in France)
- To the Prime Minister :
H=F4tel Matignon
57 rue de Varenne
75007 Paris
- To the Home Secretary:
Ministere de Interieur
Place Beauvau
75008 Paris
in order to demand exceptional regularisation.
We hope to get 2000 letters sent to these destinations
If you do write I would ask you to inform us by 'e' mail so that we can keep
a record of support. Thanking you in advance.
(letter starts)
Henri Groues (l'Abbe Pierre)
To Monsieur Jean
Louis Debre
Home Secretary,
Place Beauvau
75008 Paris
Esteville,=
27/07/95
July 1995
Home Scretary,
The situation regarding M. Belkhirat, a young Algerian, has been brought to
my attention by his lawyer M. Jean Jacques de Felice, as necessitating
action from you in order to proceed to an exceptional regulation.
This letter, I am told, may help to gain your good will in this case. I am
therefore writing to you with hope and as the duty of an old man of 83.
I can testify as to the exceptional human qualities of Belkhirat.
I know of his tireless daily humanitarian activities with the young people
on our streets, without resources, nor lodgings; his devotion, renewed every
day, to give to those around him a reason to live without hatred and with=
hope.
Such men are rare.
I am aware that after he had made approaches to the Prefecture in Paris and
to the OFPRA he saw his request for asylum rejected.
Moreover his name risks appearing unfairly in the Schengen system following
on from a minor act of delinquency commited in Germany where he was
destitute. He has expressed his regret, of course.
This refusal has given rise to the appeal which M de Felice is currently
engaged in, M. Belkhirat's case being one of those covered by article 25 in
the Schengen Convention.
Since I made M Belkhirat's acquaintance he has so amply demonstrated his
human qualities and his intense activities on behalf of young people. Let us
hope that this can be allowed to continue in France and one day in Algeria
when circumstances finally allow for it.
Toay therefore I ask you Mr Home Secretary for the attention of your heart
and your conscience for the workless and desparate youth and to pick up the
case of this deserving young Algerian.
In the almost Hermitic life which I lead here among the 'elderly' (I am the
oldest!) and the 4000 Emmaus chiffonier pensioners, I bring to you, your
children, your family this request for your attention.
most respectfully
Abbe Pierre
(end of letter )
FREEDOM PRESS
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