Violence is never the solution: young people stand for peaceful societies

The European Youth Forum condemns the violence that occurred yesterday in Catalonia (Spain) and calls for the respect of fundamental rights and peaceful dialogue among parties.

On International Day of Non-Violence, we deeply regret the use of force against citizens yesterday in several areas in Catalonia, including many young people. Violence is never the solution and only peaceful dialogue with all parties is the way forward in a society based on the rule of law.

We support the conclusions of the United Nations experts and call on all actors to ensure the respect of fundamental rights of expression, assembly and association, and public participation. Regardless of political positions, these are essential values that should never be threatened and that should be upheld all across Europe.

The European Youth Forum stands behind its Member Organisations - Consell Nacional de Joventut de Catalunya (CNJC) & Consejo de la Juventud de España (CJE) in their actions and willingness to contribute to peaceful societies.

We call on all parties to settle these issues in a peaceful and constructive way, inside the framework of the rule of law, democracy and the respect of fundamental rights of all citizens. Rights are rights, inviolable and universal and Europe should lead by example at all levels.

Anna Widegren - Secretary General of the European Youth Forum

Rights to expression, assembly and association, of public participation and the respect of each other are fundamental values for young people all across Europe. We encourage all parties to follow the example of young people and their organisations in contributing to peaceful dialogue. This is the only way forward.