Catalan Authorities Agree To Remove Pro-Independence Symbols From Buildings For Elections

MADRID (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st March, 2019) The symbols of support toward jailed Catalan politicians and the Spanish region's movement for independence would be taken off from governmental buildings for upcoming election campaigns and votes despite the opposition of regional head Quim Torra, the Catalan regional government has said.

The Spanish Central Electoral Commission has called on the regional authorities to remove yellow ribbons, symbolizing the support for the Catalan politicians, and so-called estelada flags, which are a symbol of the region's independence aspirations, from public buildings for the upcoming local, regional, general and European elections in April and May. However, earlier this week, Torra refused to do so, saying he has asked Sindic de Greuges, the local ombudsman, to provide a report on this issue. On Wednesday, ombudsman Rafael Ribo said he recommended that the authorities heed the commission's calls back on March 15.

"The government has decided that, despite its political will, it will act in accordance with the recommendations of the Sindic de Greuges, retaining its full respect to the freedom of speech .

.. The head of the government reiterates that he would not give any instructions required by the Central Electoral Commission," the regional authorities said in a statement late on Wednesday.

On the same day, employees of various governmental organizations began taking the ribbons off the buildings.

Particularly, the ribbons and portraits of detained Catalan politicians were removed from the building of the regional department for agriculture. Instead, the pictures of flowers and animals, drawn in yellow, were placed on the building.

On October 1, 2017, Catalonia held an independence referendum, which resulted in over 90 percent of voters backing the region's autonomy.

Madrid refused to recognize the vote's results, dissolved the regional authorities and imposed its direct rule over Catalonia. Moreover, several leaders of the pro-independence movement were prosecuted on various charges, including embezzlement and rebellion. The region's autonomy was restored once Torra came to power last June.