ETA becomes a ‘disarmed’ organisation

In a letter addressed to the international community, the Basque militant group ETA announced it was going to hand over all its weapons on 8 April 2017.

The letter confirmed earlier reports about the group's disarmament plans. ETA called it 'disarmament day' but highlighted the process was not yet completed and warned against attempts to block it.

ETA killed over 800 people and wounded thousands over 40 years of violence aimed at Basque independence. The group declared a ceasefire in October 2011 but did not disarm. This was seen as a result of many within the ranks to have resisted the step when both Spain and France had refused to offer anything in exchange.

ETA handed over what it claimed were its final arms to authorities in the French city of Bayonne on the 8 April 2017. However, the Spanish government remained cautious. ETA would not 'reap any political advantage or profit', said Spain's Culture Minister Inigo Mendez de Vigo. In the past the Spanish government had rejected ETA's demands for amnesty or improved prison conditions for jailed members.

While claiming to disarm, ETA made no claim to be dissolving itself as a radical movement campaiging for independence for the Basque Country. The Spanish Government called on ETA to disband. The Basque people were divided as to whether they wished to be an independent country.

• Primary Source

The Local.es, 07.04.17: Basque terrorist group Eta to hand over weapons https://www.thelocal.es/20170407/basque-terrorist-group-eta-to-hand-over-weapons

Swissinfo.ch, 06.04.17: Basque parliament pressures ETA as disarmament day nears http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/basque-parliament-pressures-eta-as-disarmament-day-nears/43090934

France24, 07.04.17: Basque separatists ETA confirm plans to disarm http://www.france24.com/en/20170407-basque-separatists-eta-confirm-plans-disarm-france-spain

Reuters, 06.04.17: Basque parliament pressures ETA as disarmament day nears http://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-eta-parliament-idUSKBN178230

Euronews, 07.04.17: ETA militant group 'a disarmed organization' http://www.euronews.com/2017/04/07/eta-to-hand-over-all-weapons

El País, 07.04.17: Basque terror group ETA says it is now a 'disarmed' organization http://elpais.com/elpais/2017/04/07/inenglish/1491551511_701097.html

EurActiv, 07.04.17: Basque ETA confirms 8 April disarmament http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/basque-eta-confirms-8-april-disarmament/

Deutsche Welle, 08.04.17: Spain's separatist ETA hands over remaining weapons, ending bloody campaign http://p.dw.com/p/2auky

France24, 08.04.17: Basque separatists ETA deliver weapons inventory to French police on 'Disarmament Day' http://www.france24.com/en/20170408-basque-group-eta-hands-french-police-list-arms-caches-disarmament-separatist

ESO: Background information: While attention is focused on Catalonia, the debate over the Basque Country’s status within Spain remains on hold http://www.europeansources.info/record/while-attention-is-focused-on-catalonia-the-debate-over-the-basque-countrys-status-within-spain-remains-on-hold/

BBC News, 08.04.17: Eta disarms: French police find 3.5 tonnes of weapons http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39540081

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The Local.es, 08.04.17: Spain demands that ETA apologise and disband https://www.thelocal.es/20170408/spain-demands-that-eta-apologise-and-disband

Euro|Topics: Debates, April 2017: Why has Eta given up its weapons? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/177451/why-has-eta-given-up-its-weapons

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The New York Times, 02.05.18: Basque Group ETA Disbands, After Terrorist Campaign Spanning Generations https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/02/world/europe/spain-eta-disbands-basque.html

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