The position of the UN rapporteur
Nicolas Levrat, the UN rapporteur on minorities, has supported the legality of the recent amnesty law, which has generated controversy in the Spanish prosecutor’s office and judiciary. Levrat stated that the law has followed the relevant legal procedures for its approval, which makes it legal. In an interview with the Catalan News Agency (ACN), he emphasized that judges and prosecutors are in charge of applying the law, not determining its legality.
The view on amnesty
The United Nations rapporteur considers that the amnesty represents a positive development, since judicial intervention in political affairs has had a negative impact on political life. This position is part of the special procedures of the human rights council, which ensures freedom of expression and thought.
Opinion on self-determination
Furthermore, Levrat expressed his support for Catalans having the opportunity to decide their future. This position is not new, since in 2017, before assuming his current position, Levrat had clearly stated that international regulations do not prohibit a country from exercising its right to self-determination.
Catalan in the educational field
Regarding the use of Catalan in the education system, the UN rapporteur maintains that it is legitimate for Catalan institutions to choose Catalan as the language of instruction, given that the Generalitat of Catalonia has competences in matters of education. However, he also emphasised the importance of promoting a multilingual approach in education, without this meaning a detriment to Catalan.
Preservation of Catalan
Despite the challenges, the rapporteur considers that Catalan is not in danger of disappearing, although he recognizes the need for speakers of the language to work to counteract certain risks.