First Deputy-Speaker Alba Vergés states in the inaugural address in the Catalan chamber that “We have always defended that everything may be debated here” but that “Carme Forcadell was imprisoned for allowing debates.”

“We are the representatives of our countries and with us lies the popular sovereignty of the people, which is why we firmly believe in parliamentary debate as a tool for discussion, reflection, pact, dialogue and agreement” said the first Deputy-Speaker of Parliament Alba Vergés, who chaired the inaugural session of the 34th European Regional Assembly of La Francophonie, which is hosted this year by Catalonia and which has brought together representatives from some twenty legislative chambers in the Catalan Parliament.

Ms Vergés made use of her speech to uphold that “the Parliament of Catalonia has always defended that everything may be debated, with respect for human rights and with tolerance,” and she decried that “it has unfortunately not always been allowed,” recalling the imprisonment of the former Speaker of the Parliament Carme Forcadell “precisely for allowing debates on political initiatives in the chamber,” along with the ongoing trial of the last bureau of the Parliament.

Throughout Monday and Tuesday, there has been a debate during the assembly on the role of parliaments in the protection and defence of human rights, on the rights to freedom of expression and assembly of parliamentarians, and also on inter-parliamentary cooperation. “Parliaments are the primary instrument to convey the needs and demands of the people, and are at the same time also an essential tool for combating totalitarianism, extremism and intolerance,” said Ms Vergés.

Participating in the assembly are a hundred representatives from the central parliaments of France, Andorra, Switzerland, Armenia, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Georgia, Greece, Luxemburg, Monaco, Montenegro, Poland and Kosovo; from Jersey; from the sub-state chambers of the Swiss cantons of Vaud, Valais and Jura, from Wallonia (Belgium) and from the Aosta Valley (Italy); and from the American and African sections of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie–APF.

Catalonia is an associate member of the APF and Ms Vergés professed it is an honour to be part of it, “out of respect for the values, the shared aims and the cooperation between Catalonia and La Francophonie.”