The Catalan National Assembly (ANC) participated in the 2026 OSCE Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting I: Lawmaking for Democratic Resilience, where it intervened in two sessions to highlight concerns about the deterioration of civic space, the criminalisation of political dissent and the lack of effective judicial oversight in Spain regarding the Catalan self-determination movement.
Representing the organization, board member Teresa Calveras addressed Session II: Civil Society and Independent Oversight in Defence of Democratic Lawmaking, stressing that democratic lawmaking depends on the ability of citizens and civil society to meaningfully influence legislation. She warned that this principle has been undermined in the Catalan case.
Calveras explained that after the 2017 Catalan independence referendum, Spain redirected such political conflict into the criminal sphere, using broad criminal provisions such as public order offences, anti-terrorism narratives and expansive interpretations of disobedience laws against political representatives and peaceful mobilisation linked to the Catalan self-determination movement.
She also warned that legislation drafted in highly polarised contexts without meaningful consultation with affected communities risks becoming punitive rather than rights-based. Catalan civil society, she noted, has played a key role in documenting human rights violations and analysing legal reforms, but excessive secrecy laws and opaque decision-making continue to hinder democratic oversight.
“Democratic lawmaking cannot function under fear, criminalisation of dissent or restricted civic space,” Calveras stated, calling for stronger oversight bodies and structured mechanisms to ensure that civil society participation meaningfully influences legislative processes.
In Session III: Judicial Review and Accountability in Democratic Lawmaking, Assemblea focused on the shortcomings of judicial oversight in Spain. Calveras highlighted that judicial independence is fundamental to democracy but warned that politicisation of the judiciary has undermined effective judicial review in cases related to Catalan political activism.
She also referred to the 2022 espionage scandal targeting at least 65 pro-independence Catalans, including victims linked to the Catalan National Assembly such as former president Elisenda Paluzie. Despite concerns raised by UN Special Rapporteurs, investigations have progressed slowly, victims have not received remedies and key recommendations remain unimplemented.
Assemblea’s representative argued that surveillance measures justified under national security claims did not meet the required principles of necessity and proportionality, as they were used against peaceful political activity.
The Catalan National Assembly called on OSCE participating States and institutions to strengthen guarantees for judicial independence, ensure effective access to justice and protect civic space. The organisation also reaffirmed the Catalan people’s right to self-determination as a democratic means to safeguard fundamental rights.