I am not very familiar with the Basque conflict and ETA. I expected to learn something valuable about that but feel disappointed.
The journalist put the Josu U on trial for his actions but what about the Spanish government? He never asked him what he means by suppression from the government. I would have wanted to hear that as an outsider to learn more about the conflict.
The terminology used by the journalist mimics the government's narrative. He doesn't show or give even a single example of any actions carried out by the governments and authorities that might have been considered as "suppression ". It was obvious that some people were supporting ETA and so one wants to know why?
Besides, ETA stopped violence in 2011. One wants to see and know whether government policies towards Basque country have changed in a good way. Spanish government used violence and imprisoned many Katalan politicians because they went for a independence referendum whilst the UK allowed Scotland to do the referendum and acknowledged the result. If Spanish people think there are democratic channels to reach political aims, why would imprison Katalan politicians for organising a referendum. As far as I know Katalan people never had an organisation like ETA, but Spanish government still used persecution and suppression. So what would one say if some Katalan responds with violent means? Would it be only their faults?
The documentary puts this guy Josu U on trial, this is fine, but never asked the policeman about what he thinks of Franco dictatorship and working as his police officer or as a guard for his unelected mayors. The policeman says Josu U did not feel regret. Does he also regret working for a well known dictator? He might feel regret but the journalist did not even intend to ask him. This is the point I am trying make and so I think this documentary is one sided and manipulative.
I gave 3 out 10 because I think at least Josu U could handle this journalist in an effective way, at least a viewer can see what Josu U really thought. He ignored the provoking and accusatory language used by the journalist professionally and calmly.
Anyways, I think considering that ETA has been dismantled and there is no violent conflict, the ball is the government's field. Violence should never come back. The way to do that is that Spanish government needs to take actions to ensure there are democratic channels for every political cause including pro independence movements and therefore must release all political prisoners and past ETA members to close the chapter of conflict and open a chapter to long lasting peace for all parties.
The journalist put the Josu U on trial for his actions but what about the Spanish government? He never asked him what he means by suppression from the government. I would have wanted to hear that as an outsider to learn more about the conflict.
The terminology used by the journalist mimics the government's narrative. He doesn't show or give even a single example of any actions carried out by the governments and authorities that might have been considered as "suppression ". It was obvious that some people were supporting ETA and so one wants to know why?
Besides, ETA stopped violence in 2011. One wants to see and know whether government policies towards Basque country have changed in a good way. Spanish government used violence and imprisoned many Katalan politicians because they went for a independence referendum whilst the UK allowed Scotland to do the referendum and acknowledged the result. If Spanish people think there are democratic channels to reach political aims, why would imprison Katalan politicians for organising a referendum. As far as I know Katalan people never had an organisation like ETA, but Spanish government still used persecution and suppression. So what would one say if some Katalan responds with violent means? Would it be only their faults?
The documentary puts this guy Josu U on trial, this is fine, but never asked the policeman about what he thinks of Franco dictatorship and working as his police officer or as a guard for his unelected mayors. The policeman says Josu U did not feel regret. Does he also regret working for a well known dictator? He might feel regret but the journalist did not even intend to ask him. This is the point I am trying make and so I think this documentary is one sided and manipulative.
I gave 3 out 10 because I think at least Josu U could handle this journalist in an effective way, at least a viewer can see what Josu U really thought. He ignored the provoking and accusatory language used by the journalist professionally and calmly.
Anyways, I think considering that ETA has been dismantled and there is no violent conflict, the ball is the government's field. Violence should never come back. The way to do that is that Spanish government needs to take actions to ensure there are democratic channels for every political cause including pro independence movements and therefore must release all political prisoners and past ETA members to close the chapter of conflict and open a chapter to long lasting peace for all parties.