“A political crisis can only be solved through dialogue” : analysis of international reactions to the events in Catalonia during autumn 2017
Riitakorpi, Janne (2019)
2019
Politiikan tutkimuksen tutkinto-ohjelma - Degree Programme in Politics
Johtamisen ja talouden tiedekunta - Faculty of Management and Business
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2019-05-09
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-201905131614
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-201905131614
Tiivistelmä
Political crisis between Spain and Catalonia escalated during autumn 2017 when the Catalan government organized a referendum on self-determination on 1 October and subsequently the Parliament of Catalonia declared independence on 27 October. Spain used extensive police violence during the day of the referendum and later took control of Catalonia using exceptional measures under article 155 of the Spanish Constitution. Civil society leaders and the part of the Catalan government which did not go into exile was arrested facing charges of rebellion.
International community was forced to react to these extraordinary events. Aim of this thesis is to analyse and categorize reactions and statements on the Catalan crisis issued by world leaders, heads of state and government, foreign ministers, international organizations such as the EU and the UN as well NGOs such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch during autumn 2017. Research method is qualified content analysis. Detailed research questions include how the international reactions varied based on the timeline of events as well as based on the country, institution or affiliation at question.
Findings of this study include the variety of international statements given during the timeframe of the thesis. Although in general international community supported Spain, conflict is no longer Spain’s internal one as it was viewed for years. Some statements condemned the police violence although for example the EU was silent about it. In the aftermath of the declaration of independence most countries reacted in support of the territorial integrity of Spain. However, statements also highlighted dialogue and the need for non-violent solutions and there were some statements in favour of Catalonia as well.
International community was forced to react to these extraordinary events. Aim of this thesis is to analyse and categorize reactions and statements on the Catalan crisis issued by world leaders, heads of state and government, foreign ministers, international organizations such as the EU and the UN as well NGOs such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch during autumn 2017. Research method is qualified content analysis. Detailed research questions include how the international reactions varied based on the timeline of events as well as based on the country, institution or affiliation at question.
Findings of this study include the variety of international statements given during the timeframe of the thesis. Although in general international community supported Spain, conflict is no longer Spain’s internal one as it was viewed for years. Some statements condemned the police violence although for example the EU was silent about it. In the aftermath of the declaration of independence most countries reacted in support of the territorial integrity of Spain. However, statements also highlighted dialogue and the need for non-violent solutions and there were some statements in favour of Catalonia as well.