Media summary: An open letter published on 31 October, signed by a number of scholars, intellectuals and Members of the European Parliament, claimed that following the “referendum” held in Catalonia on 1 October, the Spanish authorities had seriously violated basic rights of members of the Catalan pro-independence movement, contravening European standards protecting the rule of

     Spain is a consolidated democracy governed by the rule of law, which defends and guarantees the rights and freedoms of all citizens. The Spanish Constitution of 1978 proclaims the separation of powers, the rule of law, legal security and the prohibition of arbitrary action by public authorities.  Articles 1 and 2 of