King & Spalding advise Carles Puigdemont before the UN Human Rights Committee

King & Spalding has advised Carles Puigdemont, the former Catalan President, before the UN Human Rights Committee in a case stemming from the 2017 independence referendum deemed illegal by Spanish authorities.

King & Spalding acted pro bono for Puigdemont through partner Ben Emmerson KC (partner). The resolution is the response to the complaint filed by the british lawyer more than 5 years ago on behalf of the former Catalan president.

The ruling said that Spain violated the rights of Puigdemont and his constituents after being removed from his regional parliamentary seat. The Supreme Court’s decision to suspend the former Catalan president’s functions violated his rights, as ruled by the UN Human Rights Committee.

Puigdemont, a resident of Belgium, had to flee Spain in 2017 and faced an arrest warrant along with 4 other separatists who took part in Catalonia’s independence referendum.

A report now claims that the leader’s right to political participation was violated, prosecution for a crime of rebellion and the loss of his parliamentary seat.

Julia Gil

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