Comment by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein on the situation in Catalonia, Spain

GENEVA (2 October 2017) - I am very disturbed by the violence in Catalonia on Sunday. With hundreds of people reported injured, I urge the Spanish authorities to ensure thorough, independent and impartial investigations into all acts of violence. Police responses must at all times be proportionate and necessary.

I firmly believe that the current situation should be resolved through political dialogue, with full respect for democratic freedoms.

I call on the Government of Spain to accept without delay the requests by relevant UN human rights experts to visit.

ENDS

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