The president calls for "learning from our history" 15 years after the end of ETA's armed activity

On the 20th, it will be 15 years since ETA ended its armed activity . On the occasion of the anniversary, President Imanol Pradalesbelieves that we must "learn from our history" and "continue to strengthen coexistence and democratic values on a day-to-day basis." In this context, he has considered it "unacceptable" to continue "glorifying" the "armed struggle" and "idealizing" the former members of the armed organization.

Pradales, who has published a letter in the newspapers of the Vocento group on the occasion of his 15th anniversary, recalls the "thousands of people who were killed, kidnapped, persecuted and threatened" by ETA over the years, and stresses that "they were people like you and me."

"ETA was born against a legitimate government in exile and against the majority of Basque society, "he said, adding that it was" that broad will "of that society that led to the definitive abandonment of weapons in 2011." ETA did not achieve any of its objectives, "stressed the lehendakari, who only left" a long trail of pain, suffering and death. "

"Moral debt"

Pradales has denounced the "panic" of half a century of ETA and the fact that there were people who "justified, belittled and applauded" the attacks of that condemnation. The President believes that "they have a moral debt to this people that has not yet been prescribed." The President says that these people were "ordinary, neighbors, who thought it appropriate to use weapons for political purposes."

With the pain of the victims in mind, Pradales believes that "itis unacceptable "that today"we continue to claim 'armed struggle', idealize former ETA members or display their photos in public space. "The president finds it" incomprehensible "that the left abertzale does not support "institutional expressionsof support for threatened public servants, " eta has considered" unacceptable "to" abstain from proposals of remembrance and homage to the victims. "

"A democratic society cannot be built on oblivion, "stressed Imanol Pradales, who wondered whether" as a society, as a citizen, we are doing everything in our power to convey what happened and help it not to happen again. "He urged citizens to" learn lessons from our history "and called for" strengthening coexistence and democratic values "in everyday life.

In this context, Pradales has claimed the first government and "the entire generation" of the lehendakari Aguirre, as well as the "commitment to peace and freedom" of the majority of Basque society.

The president has been "convinced" that future generations will achieve a "peaceful and living future" as a legacy; "something that seemed impossible for too long," he lamented.