In response to the searches by Spanish police of the offices of the Institut d’Estudis Autonòmics (IEA), which is a member of the International Association of Centers for Federal Studies, IACFS issued the following declaration on October 13, 2017:
Fribourg Declaration on the Political and Constitutional Crisis in Catalonia
The International Association of Centers for Federal Studies (IACFS)
- representing 26 independent research centers, from 16 countries on five continents, dedicated to the study of federalism as a mechanism to, among other things, accommodate diversity and settle conflicts;
- expresses deep concern with the current political situation in Catalonia and Spain;
- is deeply concerned that one of its member centers in Catalonia is being investigated and searched in disregard of the need to respect academic freedom;
- rejects violence and advocates for dialogue;
- regrets that Catalonia has not been able to find a suitable accommodation within Spain, and
- therefore, believes that negotiations between the Governments of Spain and Catalonia should take place in order to consider and debate all reasonable options, and
- reminds all parties that federalism aims to accommodate diversity through negotiation and agreement in order to prevent, manage and solve conflicts.
