In 2025, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) issued a decision that came as a surprise to many supporters of Catalan independence. The court in Strasbourg found no violations in the actions of the Spanish authorities when they placed prominent politicians linked to the 2017 events in Catalonia in pre-trial detention. This decision cast doubt on one of the central narratives of the Catalan movement, which had long claimed repression and looked to European bodies for justice.
Complaints were filed by Oriol Junqueras, Jordi Turull, and Jordi Sànchez. They argued that their isolation had prevented them from participating in the region’s political life after the independence referendum, even though they had been elected to public office. However, the ECHR judges disagreed with their arguments regarding violations of political rights and freedom of expression, considering that the measures taken by Spanish courts were justified by the circumstances and did not go beyond the law.
Political reactions and new challenges
The court’s decision sparked strong reactions among Catalan politicians. In particular, representatives of the Junts party and its general secretary voiced their disagreement with the verdict, although they acknowledged its legitimacy. They continue to insist that their detention was politically motivated rather than based on legal grounds. Despite this, they emphasize that they do not intend to give up the fight for their rights and will seek to challenge the situation in other international forums.
Esquerra Republicana also has no plans to reduce its international activity. In their statement, they emphasize that the process of defending the political rights of Catalan leaders is not over yet, and they expect the case to be taken further in other judicial bodies, including the European Court and UN institutions. In their view, the pre-trial detention was a pressure tool aimed at limiting the political activity of pro-independence supporters.
Impact on the political climate and expectations
The ECHR’s decision came as Europe awaits new rulings from its courts on the application of Spain’s Amnesty Law and its compliance with European law. This adds further tension to the political atmosphere, as the Catalonia independence debate remains one of Spain’s most heated topics. Many observers believe the Strasbourg verdict could set a precedent for future cases involving restrictions of political rights during times of crisis.
At the same time, supporters of Spanish unity saw the court’s decision as confirmation of the legitimacy of the national authorities’ actions. For them, it signals that European institutions are reluctant to intervene in the country’s internal affairs when it comes to maintaining order and upholding the law. In the coming months, attention will turn to new court rulings that could affect the balance of power between Madrid and Barcelona.
