Monday, March 12,
2007
AUN Meeting Thursday 8th March 2007. Held at Restaurant Asia, Benissa
Costa.
Meeting commenced 16:15 with Charles Svoboda thanking the Restaurant owners for
the use of the room.
Fact Finding Mission
by European Parliament
The first item on the Agenda related to the recent Fact Finding Mission (the
third visit) by the Petitions Committee of the European Parliament. The
delegation visited Andalucía, Almeria and Valencia.
The visit was approved by the President of the Chairman´s Committee, it was headed
by the Chairman Marcin Libicki and the First Vice
Chairman Michael Cashman.
There was criticism in the Spanish press regarding the visit by the MEPs, claiming it was expensive – the fares, transport,
accommodation etc for the delegation being in the region of 30/40,000 Euros
total. Charles pointed out the stupidity of the claims by the comparison that
this amount is far less than is being asked from each individual homeowner
affected by land laws. This criticism also follows the notice that a delegation
of over 20 members from the Valencian Government are due to visit a Tourist
Fair in Berlin at a possible cost of half a million Euros. It would appear that
the Valencian Government are travelling to Berlin in order to defend the
reputation of the Spanish Costas, which has been damaged by the AUN. There were other attacks in Spanish press implying
that the MEPs were making the trips to Spain as
annual holidays. A cartoon in a newspaper showed the MEPs
laying by a pool – drinks in hand.
It was in fact a high level visit (reasonably priced) with the MEPs working fourteen hour days starting at 8 in the
morning and took place despite the European PP Party applying pressure to stop
or at least delay the tour, with Snr Pons also attempting
to cancel or change the schedule by sending a representative to Brussels.
The MEPs travelled many kilometres during their time
in Spain and had various meetings with homeowners, Mayors etc. The meetings in
Benissa and Valencia were very well attended – between 70 and 90% of the people
being Spanish. With the Spanish families coming on board to fight, the
Valencian Government will soon lose credibility and they will find it extremely
difficult to stop the AUN society from succeeding in
the aim to change the land laws. The MEPs visit
reinforces the previous reports, and it will hopefully have an impact on the
coming elections.
In the fight the next step is the Court of Justice in Luxembourg, with the case
beginning on 21st March when it is hoped we can prove that the law has not been
changed in accordance with European laws. Judgment is expected in October. In
the meantime, any work which goes ahead will be considered to take place as
contempt of Court. Meanwhile, the lawyers in London are continuing to put the
paperwork in order for the cases to be taken to the Court of Human Rights in
Strasbourg.
Publicity
There have been various programmes relating to the land problems shown on
British TV recently. Re-runs of original articles (some even four years old
now), plus a recent new programme on BBC called The Real Story. For those with
Internet connections, on Wednesday 14th March, on Bloomberg, there is to be an
article regarding the land problems, investments etc. Originally given an 850
euro expense account, the reporter was given open reign financially once the
work began and the story started to unfold. It will no doubt be a hard hitting
article, important and helpful to all homeowners in Valencia with Bloomberg
being aired worldwide.
Legal Fund
The Legal Fund is still active within the AUN with
the monies being used for the various cases being taken to Strasbourg through
the Court of Human Rights.
AUN Committee
The Presidency of the AUN changed last October, with
Charles Svoboda stepping down after four years and Enrique Climent
taking over. Whilst the actual jobs undertaken within the society have not
changed dramatically, the presidency passing to a Spaniard has made a vast
difference in the fight. Enrique took over having left work due to being of
retirement age and now has more time to devote to the fight. Enrique has given
many interviews to media and press in the last few months and brought a breath
of fresh air to the fight. The majority of the spokespeople and affiliates
within the committee of the AUN are Spanish. Each
individual has their own various jobs within the committee.
National Federation
Prior to the elections, it is hoped to have formalized the National Federation
of societies fighting the land laws. There are already three or four societies
interested and ready to join, from Extremadura and Almeria. The entire
coastline of Spain (and for many kms inland) is
affected in some way by various land laws, each region having laws known under
different names, with societies already in force and others being formed to
fight.
Elections
Local elections will be taking place on May 27th. Everyone is advised to visit
the local Town Hall to check their names are on the voters list. Every vote
will count.
The AUN remains non-partisan, but obviously hopes and
trusts that families will vote for parties who will be supporting our cause,
for parties who have had reliable and helpful Mayors and for a party who is
concerned about the environment.
The Asociation Vecinos de
Costa Benissa will be holding meetings regarding the elections on 13/14/15
March, details (time place) were available for the residents of Benissa. For
families in the Teulada/Moraira
area there will be a meeting in Bar Meditarraneo in
the near future.
Council of Europe
We have been given details of a new department to be opened soon within the
European parliament, this being the Council of Europe. More details to follow
as and when known.
** see foot of this note for website details.
German Presidency of Europarl
With Germany taking over the six month Presidency of the European Parliament -
beginning in July 07 – the AUN have recently written
to the Chairman of the Group of Eight, and to the Chancellor, regarding the
abusive land laws in Spain.
Demonstration in
Valencia
Permissions are being sought for a demonstration/manifestation against the land
laws in Valencia on 21st April. It is hoped that all AUN
members, supporters, their friends and families will all take part and support
the affected property/land owners of the region.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
A Spanish lady from the Fustera area of Benissa began
this section of the meeting by airing her complaints against the local council
for the excessive building work and related road problems. She commented on how
important it is for everyone to vote, attend public meetings, and fight for our
rights. Charles Svoboda suggested that the lady speak with the President of the
local Benissa Vecinos Society.
Regarding voting, a gentleman advised that when people visit their Town Hall to
check the names are on the register, they ensure the name only appears once in
the correct spelling.
We were informed that the delegation from the Petitions Office of Europarl were also investigating complaints regarding the
Spanish postal system. There is a Universal Postal Agreement which should be
adhered to, but we all know that the post in Spain leaves such a lot to be
desired.
A gentleman asked why the AUN is loathe to
participate in demonstrations which are not authorized. Charles explained that
any demonstrations held in Spain must have legal permission from the
appropriate department and that the society would prefer to remain within the
law. Should the society take part in a demo which was not legal and should
there be problems and matters get out of hand, the Police have the right to
attack and to be heavy-handed. The risks outweigh the benefits and we would not
want bad publicity or propaganda to hurt the society.
Charles was asked about the office regarding Corruption. Apparently in the last
two years, prosecuting investigators have been employed to look into the
problem of corruption – however, whilst there is a job title, there are no
resources given and the people doing the job have to supply all their own items
such as personal e-mail addresses, pens and stationery. We do not know how much
clout this office has and have no idea of how successful it is.
Keeping the MEPs, media etc informed was discussed.
Charles confirmed that he and Lisa search for as many land problem articles as
possible each day from newspapers on the web. They feed information to the
press and arrange as much media coverage as they can. Members/supporters of the
AUN were also asked to keep their own MEPs, local newspapers (in Spain and home countries)
informed of what is happening. At this point Jan interrupted to point out that
she had tried to contact all MEPs in the UK. Some
have been helpful, but usually when they find out she is not from their
constituency they say there is nothing they can do to help, other MEPs from the UK have admitted they have never heard about
the Valencian land problems. It is therefore necessary for all (even those who
have no personal land problems and are just supporters for the change in the
law) to contact their British MEP and to ask for
help, not just an acknowledgement of the message.
A gentleman asked if the Delegation from the European Parliament had met with
any Government officials. There had been arrangements but schedules were
changed.
Willy Hardee then advised those present that she has
recently been successful in stopping three different illegal properties being
built in her local area. She advises that anyone seeing work start on a
building which is thought to be illegal should report it immediately and
denounce the owners. Anyone wanting to know the procedure and which forms are
needed should contact Willy.
A gentleman from Javea told those present that a
neighbour applied for permission to cut down a pine tree which he considered in
danger of falling. He was told he was not allowed to cut the tree down and if
it was felled there would be a fine of 2000 euros. Not long after being
declined permission, the land was taken from the man and that tree and many
others were cut down.
Meeting closed 18:00
Visit the website for up-to-date information www.abusos-no.org
Remember – contact Jan mailmaster@abusos-no.org for the following:-
Fight and Write – if you need information on what to write and/or addresses of
where to write.
If you have any ideas/suggestions/information regarding the fight for a change
in the Valencian land laws.
If you need a copy of the document to help with coping with the stress.
If you need a supply of bumper stickers – Stop LUV
If you need application forms for yourself or friends/neighbours to join AUN (forms also available on the website)
** Chapter II - Freedoms
Article 17 Right to property
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/07/89&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)