The ETA is
the main group that is fighting for Basque independence. ETA stands for Euzkadi/Euskadi ta Askatasuna,
which means Basque Homeland and Freedom in the language of Basque. They are “an organization employing armed
struggle in the name of the Basque nationalism” movement.[1] The group was founded in 1959, and is seen
today as a leftist terrorist group. The
main goal of the ETA is to liberate the Basque people from both Spain and
France. Based on their history of
bombings and kidnappings, it seems as though the group is willing to be extreme
in their fight for freedom. The group
has been held responsible for nearly 1000 deaths in the past several
decades. Additionally, the ETA has used kidnapping,
especially of important political figures, as a way to intimidate and send
their message. One
of the less violent tools that the ETA uses to further separate the Basque
people from the surrounding cultures is to encourage people to practice the
Basque culture and to value it. This
way, they can empower their culture.
In October
of 2010, a ceasefire was declared by the ETA, which was made permanent in
January of 2011. The countries that
consider the ETA to be a terrorist group (which includes a few European
countries as well as the United States) are hopeful that this ceasefire will
lead to dissolution of the ETA and eventually to an end of problems surrounding
the Basque people.
[1] Watson, Cameron. Basque Nationalism
and Political Violence: The Ideological and Intellectual Origins of ETA.
Reno, NV: Center for Basque Studies, University of Nevada, Reno, 2007. Print. Page 15.
"ETA." Wikipedia.
Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Feb. 2013. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.
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