The Constitutional Court of Spain on Dec. 2 declared unconstitutional (PDF) a resolution by the Parliament of Catalonia that proposed a plan for the region's independence from Spain by 2017. The resolution was approved by Catalonian lawmakers in November, and stated that parliament would take the "necessary steps" to effect the separation from Spain in a peaceful and democratic manner and in a way that would empower citizens. The court held that the resolution violated Articles 1.1, 1.2 , 2, 9.1 and 168 of the Constitution and Articles 1 and 2.4 of the Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia. The resolution states that the separation of Catalonia from Spain is not subject to the decisions of the Constitutional Court.
From Jurist, Dec. 3. Used with permission.
Catalonia legalizes cannabis —in new challenge to Madrid
Spain's restive northeastern region of Catalonia has in recent years come to rival the Netherlands as a European cannabis hub. Now the regional government has passed a measure formally legalizing the herb—in defiance of Spain's conservative central government. See full story at Global Ganja Report…
Spain: court suspends Catalonia independence vote —again
Hundreds of thousands filled the streets of Barcelona to celebrate Catalonia's Diada Nacional and demand independence for the region. This comes as Catalonia is once again in a political stand-off with Madrid. The Catalan Parliament on Sept. 6 passed a law calling for a referendum on secession, but the Spanish Constitutional Court one day later ordered the vote suspended. Catalan leaders say the vote will be held as planned on Oct. 1. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy described the law as an "intolerable act of disobedience." (BBC, Jurist)
Spain raids Catalan government offices ahead of secession vote
The police raided the offices of the Catalan regional government Sept. 20 and arrested at least 14 people, including Josep Maria Jové, secretary general of economic affairs. Thousands immediately took to the streets of Barcelona to protest the arrests. Independence leader Jordi Sanchez used Twitter to urge Catalans to “resist peacefully,” but also to "come out and defend our institutions." (NYT, BBC News)
Catalan dock-workers block troop deployments
Spain's deployment of boatloads of military police to Catalonia to prevent its independence referendum hit obstacles as dock workers in two ports announced a boycott and authorities at a third denied them mooring.
More than 4,000 members of Spain's Guardia Civil are being dispatched to Catalonia amid concerns over divided loyalties in the autonomous community’s own police force, the Mossos d’ Esquadra. They are to be accommodated on four cruise ships—two in the port of Barcelona, one in Tarragona and another in Palamos. The Assembly of Stevedores of the Port of Barcelona announced that workers would not provide any services to boats carrying security forces, a decision it said was taken "in defence of civil rights." Dock workers in Tarragona quickly followed suit.
The Catalan government meanwhile denied permission to dock in Palamos—which, unlike Barcelona and Tarragona, falls under regional rather than national control. While the official reason was that the port's services were already "committed," the responsible official, Josep Rull i Andreu, tweeted: "In effect, we have not let them dock." (The Telegraph)
Spain shuts down Catalan referendum websites
Spanish authorities have shut down 59 websites providing information on the upcoming Catalan independence referendum. Another 85 sites are in the process of being closed, judicial sources said. The website of the foundation of late dictator Francisco Franco "remains operational" but not the referendum sites, noted Catalan government spokesman Jordi Turull. Police have also seized nearly 10 million ballots for the vote. (EurActiv)