Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson demanded today the immediate release 18 members of Herrira, the Basque prisoners support group.

"Yesterday, Spanish police raided the offices of Herrira and arrested 18 of their members. This is a violation of the fundamental right to freedom of association and freedom of expression" - she said adding: "Dealing with the issue of prisoners is an essential part of developing the peace process in the Basque Country. Basque prisoners should be repatriated to the Basque Country in order to be close to their families and seriously ill prisoners should be released".

Anderson underlined that "Herrira have an important role to play in defending the human rights of Basque prisoners and in promoting a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the Basque Country."

The Sinn Féin MEP ended her statement by saying that "Yesterdays action shows the lack of political will of the Spanish government regarding the peace process. The Spanish government should once and for all commit to peace, democracy and respect of human and political rights.The 18 members of Herrira who have been arrested must be released immediately."