STATEMENT FROM CCSM FOUNDATION IN FAVOR OF DEMOCRACY, RESPECT FOR PLURALISM, DIALOGUE, AND THE DEFENSE OF Civil Rights

Barcelona, April 2018

From the founding of the Catalan Congress of Mental Health Foundation, we have strived to maintain a debate and position (internally and externally) on various events that have occurred in our immediate surroundings or in the world. We have attempted to be consistent with a philosophy that upholds respect for life, human rights, individual and collective freedoms, and democracy. Thus, in the beginning, we spoke out about the effects of the Balkan War, AGAINST the Iraq War, the murders of women in Ciudad Juárez, and recently, regarding the economic «crisis» of 2008 or the migratory «crises,» we have also made our views known and denounced situations that violate human rights.

Today in our country, and in the face of the authoritarian and repressive response being given to the current political crisis situation, we consider it necessary to support those initiatives that promote values such as DEMOCRACY, RESPECT FOR PLURALISM, DIALOGUE, AND THE DEFENSE OF CIVIL RIGHTS.

For these reasons, we support and facilitate the dissemination of two initiatives:

    • Space for Democracy and Coexistence, with the following manifesto and the demonstration next Sunday the 15th at 12:30 PM in Plaça Espanya, called by unions, neighborhood associations, civil society, and NGOs. For more information: www.lafede.cat and www.ccoo.cat

 

[column col=»4/4"]MANIFEST
Space for Democracy and Coexistence
VALUES AND GOALS
The entities, unions, and organizations of Catalan society that make up the Space for Democracy and Coexistence defend and share the following values: asdf
The need arises for us to give a unified response in defense of Catalan institutions, fundamental rights, the right of the Catalan people to decide their political future, and democracy....
We express concern about the violation of fundamental rights and democratic freedoms, and the social polarization occurring in the country's current situation.
We establish ourselves as a plural and unified space to defend the institutions of Catalonia and the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens, and social cohesion.
We consider that political problems must have a political, not repressive, response, and therefore we ask all Catalan, state, and European institutions to seek ways and spaces for dialogue and political negotiation.
We call on Catalan society to respond peacefully and firmly in defense of our institutions, respect for the country's diversity, and fundamental rights, in favor of dialogue.
We are committed to responding in a coordinated manner to any action that infringes upon fundamental rights and to working for coexistence, social cohesion, and dialogue. In light of these events, we do not rule out any peaceful form of mobilization and national response.
... Barcelona, March 27, 2018[/column]

 

  • «Culture makes us free«Musical, poetry, and dance performance, organized by Lluïsos de Gràcia in support of the Catalan Association for Civil Rights (ACDC).

Sunday, May 13th at 7 PM at Espai Jove La Fontana (poster attached).

Mental health professionals will always advocate for dialogue in situations of conflict and for helping affected individuals and groups.

Let's continue!
CCSM Foundation