The Spanish legal system establishes a prison sentence as well as the penalty of special ineligibility for public employment or for holding public office and that of loss of the right to stand as a candidate for those guilty of terrorism offences.
In this latter instance, it involves the inability to be elected in a ballot by the general public, a premise necessary for access to the position of member of parliament, town councillor or other publicly elected government offices. Thus, the Penal Code expresses appropriately the social reproach that terrorism deserves and that must prevent, for a long period of time, people who have been convicted for that reason from representing the general public or acting in the sphere of public institutions.
The Rule of Law should intercede, in time and form, to see to it that the final judgment that sentenced Arnaldo Otegi for belonging to ETA be observed in all its terms and, consequently, that he may not take part in the recently called elections to the Basque Parliament. Although the prison sentence expired on 1 March, his inability to take part in elections such as the ones that are going to be held on 25 September continues to exist until 2021.
The strength of democracy is demonstrated through effective observance of the Law. For that reason, it is highly important in the fight against terrorism that court decisions be fully complied with. The respect owed to the victims and the good example that should be set by the institutions demand it as well.
