Hunger strike for catalan in Mallorca

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Dear Ms. Irina Bokova

On March 1st, Mr. Jaume BONET MOLL began a hunger strike in Palma de Mallorca in protest against the measures announced by the government of the Balearic Islands (Spain), which would greatly restrict the effective compliance of international instruments adopted by the government of Spain, such as the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, as regards the Catalan language, which has been the language spoken in these islands since they were settled by Catalans in the 13th century.

These measures include changing current legislation so as to retain only one of the two official languages (Spanish) as a requirement for regional civil service candidates. Speaking Catalan would go from being compulsory to just being a plus. Mr. Bonet-Moll is a member of the board of Jubilats per Mallorca.

At the time of this writing, Mr. Bonet’s hunger strike is now in its 20th day, and it is reported that his heart condition is giving rise to some concern. Visiting hours have been restricted. You can find filmed and written interviews with him here:

http://www.vilaweb.cat/noticia/3994799/20120315/jaume-bonet-vaga-fam-llengua-seriafotut-deixar-morir-sense-dir-res.html and here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vrsK6LhlLE.

Given the absence of any reaction from the government, we fear that his plight is falling on deaf ears and that his health will be in great danger unless someone acts as an intermediary.

We humbly but earnestly ask your organisation to intervene.

Yours sincerely,