The Lizarra Declaration

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Country/entity: Spain
Basque Country
Region: Europe and Eurasia
Agreement name: The Lizarra Declaration
Date: 12 Sep 1998
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Basque Conflict (1959 - 2011)
Since 1959, the Basque National Liberation Movement, with the separatist group Euskadi Ta Askata-suna (ETA) being the most important armed group, engaged the Spanish and French governments in a political and armed conflict in an attempt to gain independence in the Basque region. Known as Europe's longest running war, the conflict killed over a 1,000. Peace talks were not formally held until 1989, but fell through and violence resumed until another ceasefire was announced by ETA in 1996. Successive Spanish governments rejected talks with ETA until 1998, nonetheless the Spanish government refused to discuss any demands for independence. However, when the government prematurely blamed ETA for the Madrid train bombing in 2004, the conservative government lost to the socialist party who began peace talks. In 2006 ETA announced another ceasefire, and talks continued into 2007 despite the explosion of a car bomb at Madrid airport in 2007. The end of negotiations in 2007 led to an intensified crackdown on ETA by the Spanish government. In 2010, ETA announced an end to armed conflict after intense crackdowns. An international peace conference held in October 2011 resulted in a plea for ETA to renounce violence. Since then violence has ceased. ETA’s official disarmament began in April 2017 and formal disbandment of the group was finalized in May 2018.
Stage: Pre-negotiation/process
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Spain - Basque internal process
Parties: AB, HB, PNV, EA, IU, BATZARRE ZUTIK, ELA, LAB, EHNE, ESK-CUIS, STEE-EILAS, EZKER SINDIKALA, HIRU, GOGOA, AMNISTIAREN ALDEKO BATZORDEAK, SENIDEAK, BAKEA ORAIN, ELKARRI, EGIZAN, HERRIA 2000 ELIZA, CERNIKA BATZORDEA, AUTO- DETERMINAZIOREN BILTZARRAK
Third parties: -
Description: Declaration by 23 Basque nationalist parties, labor unions, and grassroots groups, and Spain's communist-led United Left, setting out factors which led to the peace agreement in Northern Ireland and potential application in the Basque Country according to identification, method, process (preliminary and settlement stages), nature of the negotiations, keys to the resolution, resulting scenario.

Agreement document: SP-B_980912_LizarraGaraziAccord.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: Groups→Racial/ethnic/national group→Rhetorical
Page 2, KEYS TO THE RESOLUTION
This means that all negotiations held to resolve the conflict must be free of any specific impositions. The plurality of Basque society must be respected, all political projects must be provided with the same chances of success, the democratic rights of the citizens of the Basque Country must be intensified in the sense that they are to be given the final say as to the shaping of their future and the States involved in the conflict must respect any decision that may be taken. The Basque Country must make its voice heard and decide.

Page 2-3, RESULTING SCENARIO
The agreement to resolve the dispute shall not contain rigid frameworks of a definitive nature, but shall enable the creation of frameworks open to any new formulas that respond to the traditions and aspirations to sovereignty of the citizens of the Basque Country.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: Page 1, Factors which have propitiated the peace agreement in Northern Ireland
6- The recognition of the right to self-determination of all the citizens of Northern Ireland has involved an intensification of their democratic rights both in content (creating new formulas of sovereignty) and form (giving the citizens of Northern Ireland the final say). The political characteristics of the peace agreement include the idea that the negotiations have taken place not with the intention of winning the conflict, but of resolving this. All the political traditions existing on the island have been included and all the political projects have been afforded the same chance of success, without any limitation other than the backing of the democratic majority.

Page 2, Potential application in the Basque Country. IDENTIFICATION
The origins of the Basque conflict are historical. It is a political conflict in which the Spanish State and the French State are implicated. It must be resolved by political means.
There are discrepancies concerning the roots of the conflict and its continuance, expressed in the concepts of a) territoriality, b) a determination of who has the right to take decisions in this matter and c) political sovereignty. These constitute the basic questions that must be resolved.

Page 2-3, RESULTING SCENARIO
The agreement to resolve the dispute shall not contain rigid frameworks of a definitive nature, but shall enable the creation of frameworks open to any new formulas that respond to the traditions and aspirations to sovereignty of the citizens of the Basque Country.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: Page 1, Factors which have propitiated the peace agreement in Northern Ireland
6- The recognition of the right to self-determination of all the citizens of Northern Ireland has involved an intensification of their democratic rights both in content (creating new formulas of sovereignty) and form (giving the citizens of Northern Ireland the final say). The political characteristics of the peace agreement include the idea that the negotiations have taken place not with the intention of winning the conflict, but of resolving this. All the political traditions existing on the island have been included and all the political projects have been afforded the same chance of success, without any limitation other than the backing of the democratic majority.

Page 2, Potential application in the Basque Country. METHOD
The political resolution of the conflict will become a reality only through a process of dialogue and open negotiation. There will be no exclusions as to who will be involved in the discussions and these will have the participation of all sectors of Basque society.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: Power sharing→Territorial power sharing→Other
Page 2, Potential application in the Basque Country. IDENTIFICATION
The origins of the Basque conflict are historical. It is a political conflict in which the Spanish State and the French State are implicated. It must be resolved by political means.
There are discrepancies concerning the roots of the conflict and its continuance, expressed in the concepts of a) territoriality, b) a determination of who has the right to take decisions in this matter and c) political sovereignty. These constitute the basic questions that must be resolved.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: Page 1, Factors which have propitiated the peace agreement in Northern Ireland
6- The recognition of the right to self-determination of all the citizens of Northern Ireland has involved an intensification of their democratic rights both in content (creating new formulas of sovereignty) and form (giving the citizens of Northern Ireland the final say). The political characteristics of the peace agreement include the idea that the negotiations have taken place not with the intention of winning the conflict, but of resolving this. All the political traditions existing on the island have been included and all the political projects have been afforded the same chance of success, without any limitation other than the backing of the democratic majority.

Page 2, KEYS TO THE RESOLUTION
This means that all negotiations held to resolve the conflict must be free of any specific impositions. The plurality of Basque society must be respected, all political projects must be provided with the same chances of success, the democratic rights of the citizens of the Basque Country must be intensified in the sense that they are to be given the final say as to the shaping of their future and the States involved in the conflict must respect any decision that may be taken. The Basque Country must make its voice heard and decide.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: No specific mention.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: Page 1,
7.- Several international factors have played a significant role: The firm support and direct participation of the government and President of the United States in the resolution of the conflict; the acceptance of several Institutions of the European Union (a clear example of this is the substantial economic aid which has been promised), as well as the political support and advice offered by the government and President of South Africa throughout the process.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: Land, property and environment→Cultural heritage→Promotion
Page 2-3, RESULTING SCENARIO
The agreement to resolve the dispute shall not contain rigid frameworks of a definitive nature, but shall enable the creation of frameworks open to any new formulas that respond to the traditions and aspirations to sovereignty of the citizens of the Basque Country.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: Page 1, Factors which have propitiated the peace agreement in Northern Ireland
1.- All the parties involved have accepted the origins and political nature of the conflict and consequently the fact that this must be resolved by political means.

Page 1, Factors which have propitiated the peace agreement in Northern Ireland
2.- The British government and the I.R.A. were aware that neither of the two sides would win a military victory and due to this, accepted the fact that that the conflict could go on for a long time if nothing was done to alter this situation.

Page 1, Factors which have propitiated the peace agreement in Northern Ireland
3.- Thanks to the better judgement of all the protagonists in the conflict, confrontation gave way to collaboration (firstly among those with similar but different standpoints, later between opposing sides and finally, between enemies), with the determination not to exclude anyone from these discussions.

Page 1, Factors which have propitiated the peace agreement in Northern Ireland
4.- Among the variety of considerations that have come out of the conflict, one that is of special relevance is the republican movement’s long-standing conception of constructing and backing a model to resolve the conflict that would respect all the traditions existing on the island. This contributed to reducing the resistance of those who favoured exclusive dialogues or isolationist policies.

Page 1, Factors which have propitiated the peace agreement in Northern Ireland
5. Slowly, a sense of dialogue and the easing of tension which came about as a result of these talks replaced the violence and isolationist policies which had dominated the political scene until then. Both sides in the conflict showed signs of goodwill without setting rigid conditions in order to begin talks.

Page 1, Factors which have propitiated the peace agreement in Northern Ireland
6- The recognition of the right to self-determination of all the citizens of Northern Ireland has involved an intensification of their democratic rights both in content (creating new formulas of sovereignty) and form (giving the citizens of Northern Ireland the final say). The political characteristics of the peace agreement include the idea that the negotiations have taken place not with the intention of winning the conflict, but of resolving this. All the political traditions existing on the island have been included and all the political projects have been afforded the same chance of success, without any limitation other than the backing of the democratic majority.
Ceasefire: No specific mention.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: Page 1, Factors which have propitiated the peace agreement in Northern Ireland
5. Slowly, a sense of dialogue and the easing of tension which came about as a result of these talks replaced the violence and isolationist policies which had dominated the political scene until then. Both sides in the conflict showed signs of goodwill without setting rigid conditions in order to begin talks.

Page 1, Factors which have propitiated the peace agreement in Northern Ireland
6- The recognition of the right to self-determination of all the citizens of Northern Ireland has involved an intensification of their democratic rights both in content (creating new formulas of sovereignty) and form (giving the citizens of Northern Ireland the final say). The political characteristics of the peace agreement include the idea that the negotiations have taken place not with the intention of winning the conflict, but of resolving this. All the political traditions existing on the island have been included and all the political projects have been afforded the same chance of success, without any limitation other than the backing of the democratic majority.

Page 2, Potential application in the Basque Country. METHOD
The political resolution of the conflict will become a reality only through a process of dialogue and open negotiation. There will be no exclusions as to who will be involved in the discussions and these will have the participation of all sectors of Basque society.

Page 2, Potential application in the Basque Country. PROCESS
Preliminary stage
In order to propitiate a favourable outcome for the talks, the process of dialogue and negotiation may be assisted by multilateral conversations that do not set insurmountable preliminary conditions on those involved in the conflict.

Page 2, Potential application in the Basque Country. PROCESS
Settlement stage
The process of negotiation and resolution in the proper sense of the word, which involves goodwill and the undertaking to deal with the causes of the conflict, will be carried out under conditions that ensure the permanent absence of all expressions of violence from the conflict.

Page 2, NATURE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS
Negotiations must be all-embracing in the sense that they must deal with and respond to all the central issues of the conflict, as well as those which have arisen as a consequence of this. In this sense, negotiations must not be conceived as a process for the advancement of individual interests but as a means to resolve the conflict.

Page 2, KEYS TO THE RESOLUTION
This means that all negotiations held to resolve the conflict must be free of any specific impositions. The plurality of Basque society must be respected, all political projects must be provided with the same chances of success, the democratic rights of the citizens of the Basque Country must be intensified in the sense that they are to be given the final say as to the shaping of their future and the States involved in the conflict must respect any decision that may be taken. The Basque Country must make its voice heard and decide.

Page 2-3, RESULTING SCENARIO
The agreement to resolve the dispute shall not contain rigid frameworks of a definitive nature, but shall enable the creation of frameworks open to any new formulas that respond to the traditions and aspirations to sovereignty of the citizens of the Basque Country.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: http://tamilnation.co/conflictresolution/countrystudies/basque/basque.htm

The Lizarra declaration - September 12, 1998

Pacification

Factors which have propitiated the peace agreement in Northern Ireland Potential application in the Basque Country.

Factors which have propitiated the peace agreement in Northern Ireland

1.- All the parties involved have accepted the origins and political nature of the conflict and consequently the fact that this must be resolved by political means.

2.- The British government and the I.R.A. were aware that neither of the two sides would win a military victory and due to this, accepted the fact that that the conflict could go on for a long time if nothing was done to alter this situation.

3.- Thanks to the better judgement of all the protagonists in the conflict, confrontation gave way to collaboration (firstly among those with similar but different standpoints, later between opposing sides and finally, between enemies), with the determination not to exclude anyone from these discussions.

4.- Among the variety of considerations that have come out of the conflict, one that is of special relevance is the republican movement’s long-standing conception of constructing and backing a model to resolve the conflict that would respect all the traditions existing on the island.

This contributed to reducing the resistance of those who favoured exclusive dialogues or isolationist policies.

5. Slowly, a sense of dialogue and the easing of tension which came about as a result of these talks replaced the violence and isolationist policies which had dominated the political scene until then.

Both sides in the conflict showed signs of goodwill without setting rigid conditions in order to begin talks.

6- The recognition of the right to self-determination of all the citizens of Northern Ireland has involved an intensification of their democratic rights both in content (creating new formulas of sovereignty) and form (giving the citizens of Northern Ireland the final say).

The political characteristics of the peace agreement include the idea that the negotiations have taken place not with the intention of winning the conflict, but of resolving this.

All the political traditions existing on the island have been included and all the political projects have been afforded the same chance of success, without any limitation other than the backing of the democratic majority.

7.- Several international factors have played a significant role:

The firm support and direct participation of the government and President of the United States in the resolution of the conflict;

the acceptance of several Institutions of the European Union (a clear example of this is the substantial economic aid which has been promised), as well as the political support and advice offered by the government and President of South Africa throughout the process.

Potential application in the Basque Country.

In accordance with the characteristics of the peace process and agreement in Ireland, we consider that it may be possible to find a way to resolve the conflict that affects the Basque

Country if the following guidelines of conduct and action are adhered to:

IDENTIFICATION

The origins of the Basque conflict are historical.

It is a political conflict in which the Spanish State and the French State are implicated.

It must be resolved by political means.

There are discrepancies concerning the roots of the conflict and its continuance, expressed in the concepts of a) territoriality, b) a determination of who has the right to take decisions in this matter and c) political sovereignty.

These constitute the basic questions that must be resolved.

METHOD

The political resolution of the conflict will become a reality only through a process of dialogue and open negotiation.

There will be no exclusions as to who will be involved in the discussions and these will have the participation of all sectors of Basque society.

PROCESS

Preliminary stage

In order to propitiate a favourable outcome for the talks, the process of dialogue and negotiation may be assisted by multilateral conversations that do not set insurmountable preliminary conditions on those involved in the conflict.

Settlement stage

The process of negotiation and resolution in the proper sense of the word, which involves goodwill and the undertaking to deal with the causes of the conflict, will be carried out under conditions that ensure the permanent absence of all expressions of violence from the conflict.

NATURE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS

Negotiations must be all-embracing in the sense that they must deal with and respond to all the central issues of the conflict, as well as those which have arisen as a consequence of this.

In this sense, negotiations must not be conceived as a process for the advancement of individual interests but as a means to resolve the conflict.

KEYS TO THE RESOLUTION

This means that all negotiations held to resolve the conflict must be free of any specific impositions.

The plurality of Basque society must be respected, all political projects must be provided with the same chances of success, the democratic rights of the citizens of the Basque Country must be intensified in the sense that they are to be given the final say as to the shaping of their future and the States involved in the conflict must respect any decision that may be taken.

The Basque Country must make its voice heard and decide.

RESULTING SCENARIO

The agreement to resolve the dispute shall not contain rigid frameworks of a definitive nature, but shall enable the creation of frameworks open to any new formulas that respond to the traditions and aspirations to sovereignty of the citizens of the Basque Country.

Signatories to the Declaration

AB, HB, PNV, EA, IU, BATZARRE ZUTIK, ELA, LAB, EHNE, ESK-CUIS, STEE-

EILAS, EZKER SINDIKALA, HIRU, GOGOA, AMNISTIAREN ALDEKO

BATZORDEAK, SENIDEAK, BAKEA ORAIN, ELKARRI, EGIZAN, HERRIA 2000

ELIZA, CERNIKA BATZORDEA, AUTO- DETERMINAZIOREN BILTZARRAK.