This last Sunday, and with the whole world watching, Spain's use of brutal, physical force towards its citizens can only be described in one word: Dictatorship. As Catalan citizens marched peacefully to polling stations, set to cast their vote for independence, the bashing welcoming party deployed by Spain's Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, sent a clear, visual message for anyone to see.
In its crude, but savage simplicity, Rajoy's message simply denied whatever democracy may mean, to prevail. Pure and simple. In a so-called civilized society, we have witnessed, once again, how a peaceful campaign is always overwhelmed by violence.
In line with the UN Charter's universal right to self-determination, the citizens of Catalonia were purely told what it really means to follow the law. And It means blood.
Catalan Referendum: Under the Lisbon Treaty, Spain has to be suspended from the EU
Article 2 of the Lisbon Treaty is a very nice document, indeed. But who does it really address? Clearly, the Catalans are not involved in the list, as any respect for human rights, freedom, democracy, (...), and rule of law did not prevail.
When Rajoy addressed the world, late in the evening, suppressing Catalonia's independence referendum, his definition of rule of law went way beyond misinterpretation and semantics.
It was an act of brutal dictatorship, and we all saw it, live, in front of the cameras. It was an act which is condemned by all those signing the Lisbon Treaty, Spain included. That same Lisbon Treaty has a simple, clear solution for these types of acts - suspension of the referred member from the European Union, altogether.
The silence of leaders says it all
More than were 800 hospitalized, but proud citizens now wait for action. For the rest of the Catalans, (not in need of hospital care), the demand comes for something more than just action.
And that is where we are, right now. Here, and now, it is crucial to see the EU's response to this act of brutal violence, directed and planned by one of its state members against its people.
Democratically speaking, there was no room for democracy, at Sunday's Catalan Referendum. Foreseen and predictable, it is fair to ask where the UN forces were who were ready to protect its citizens? Where was Europe, after all?
Catalonia has 'earned the right to become an independent state,' says Catalan's leader, Carles Puigdemont
When the outcome of the Catalan referendum was a clear 90 percent win for independence, Mariano Rajoy's denial may be one of his last, self-inflicting shots in the foot. By following that same path, European leaders might be asking for a ricochet bullet, as well.
Historically, denying the people's vote for independence has never turned into a picnic scenario. Contrarily, it has always paved way for more bloodshed.
Turning a blind eye to these events shall never undo what was witnessed, on Sunday - as It now belongs to the world's heritage, for future generations. By postponing any reaction, and by not condemning any state member imposing violence on its own people, Europe is dictating its course into an obvious path of chronic retaliation.