In October 2017, a ‘coup d'état from above’ took place in Spain, as a result of which, in serious violation of organic law of the Spanish state, the government of Catalonia was declared deposed and the democratically elected parliament was declared dissolved. The repressive measures taken by the Spanish state against Catalonia in the years 2017 to 2022 alone represent the most serious human rights violations in Western Europe in decades. The European Union looked the other way, showing indifference and disinterest in the grave human rights violations committed against the Catalan people and many Catalans.

The legitimate president of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, who had been illegally ousted by Spain, was re-elected president of the de facto Catalan «government in exile» for two years on 5 March 2022. He received 102 of the 121 votes of the Assembly of Delegates and continues to head the Council for the Catalan Republic («Consell per la República Catalana»). In the coming weeks, he will appoint the members of his government-in-exile and, among other things, also establish a diplomatic network in many countries.

The aim of the «Consell per la República» is the practical implementation of Catalonia's declaration of independence, which was already legally effective on 27 October 2017 by the Catalan parliament, the completion of the constituent process of the Catalan Republic («República Catalana»), the internationalisation of the conflict between Spain and Catalonia and also the defence of the civil and political rights of Catalans against the manifold repressive measures of the Spanish state.

Since it has become clear over several years that Spain is not prepared to engage in serious negotiations, and since the current round table’, the 'taula del diàleg', is apparently only a cosmetic farce, the Council for the Catalan Republic is determined to make a unilateral and definitive break with Spain. The Catalans will now take a two-track approach, making full use of the small framework left to them by the Spanish state in Catalonia itself, but taking more far-reaching measures abroad.

Even though the Council for the Republic is currently still a private political association, for many Catalans it is the institution that should and will drive the independence process forward. The fact that the president of Catalonia, who has been deposed by Spain but is nevertheless legitimate (and who also heads the party Junts per Catalunya, which strives for Catalan sovereignty, is represented in the Catalan parliament and belongs to the Catalan government), is also the head of the Consell per la República, is a clever move that will benefit the assertiveness and international perception of the Catalan government.

The Catalan nation is fully entitled to the human right of peoples to self-determination, which is guaranteed by the mandatory law of the two major human rights covenants of the United Nations and has been transposed into the national law of all signatory states, including Spain. The establishment of the Catalan Republic took place in two stages: First, on 27 October 2017, Catalonia declared its independence from Spain. This only required the proclamation by the Catalan parliament to become effective, and in no way the consent of Spain or other states. Now it is a question of its realisation and the establishment of the Catalan Republic. The principle of the territorial unity of Spain does not stand in the way of the Catalan people's right to self-determination and secession. International law has developed decisively in the 21st century. The independence of Kosovo, declared and realised against the will of Serbia, did not violate international law, as the International Court of Justice stated in paragraph 80 of its Advisory Opinion on the secession of Kosovo from Serbia.

The Catalan people's human right to self-determination rests only with themselves. It therefore does not require a vote or consultation of all citizens of the Spanish state. Catalonia has already exercised its right to self-determination on 27 October 2017 and proclaimed its independence.

The brutal, electoral repression of the Spanish state, which violently but unsuccessfully tried to suppress the referendum preceding independence, gives the Catalans the additional right to a «remedial secession».

Catalonia has chosen freedom and will follow the path it has chosen to the end.