UN calls for an investigation into Spainish police violence against Catalan voters
Spain reminded of its “commitment to respect freedom of expression and peaceful assembly” by OSCE
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, called for an investigation on Spain’s police actions during the October 1 referendum. The UN High Commissioner said he is “very disturbed by the violence in Catalonia”, where “hundreds of people were injured.” He urged “the Spanish authorities to ensure thorough independent and impartial investigations into all acts of violence” and highlighted that “police responses must at all times be proportionate and necessary.”
“I firmly believe that the current situation should be resolved through political dialogue, with full respect for democratic freedoms,” he added. Finally, the UN High Commissioner called on “the Government of Spain to accept without delay requests by relevant UN human rights experts to visit”.