Catalonia referendum SLATED by meddling Council of Europe – ‘it is NOT allowed’

The vote on whether Catalonia should quit Spain and become an independent nation has infuriated officials in Madrid and Strasbourg. 

Spain refuses to acknowledge the legitimacy of the vote, which takes place on Sunday and the European Union (EU) also rejects the referendum and is standing behind Spain. 

And in a fresh europhile bid to dampen enthusiasm for the vote, the Council of Europe (CoE) has now issued its own warning. 

The organisation promotes human rights, European culture and law, and democracy across the continent and is a separate body to the EU. 

But it has reflected sentiments expressed by Brussels, who have repeatedly warned Catalonia will not become an automatic member of the bloc in a thinly-veiled attempt to turn the vote into a referendum on EU membership as well as independence. 

Now the CoE has issued another threat, warning Catalan voters the referendum is illegal. 

The message was issued by the Venice Commission, the consultative body for the CoE. 

READ MORE: When is the Catalonia referendum on independence?

The Venice Commission said the vote “does not meet” the commission’s standards for a fair referendum, as it is not recognised by the Spanish Government or its constitution. 

The commission’s secretary general Thomas Markert did make the point of referencing the 2014 Scottish referendum, highlighting it as an example of a fair, legally-approved vote as it gained the support of the UK government. 

Catalan officials earlier turned the tables on European institutions and called on the EU to help them convince Spain to recognise the vote. 

Catalonia’s foreign affairs chief Raul Remova said civil rights were being violated by Madrid’s attempt to quash the vote. 

Mr Remova said: “We call on the EU institutions to stand for their values and principles.

“Civil rights are being violated and the quality of democracy in Spain is being eroded.”

By failing to call for dialogue over the issue, the European Commission was being perceived as endorsing Madrid’s “repressive action”, he added, saying government officials, mayors and journalists were being subjected to harassment. 

Tension is growing as voting day approaches with tens of thousands today protesting on the streets of Barcelona. 

And this week Madrid have moved hundreds of police officers and police vans to the Catalan city in preparation for any referendum day violence or protests.

Additional reporting by Maria Goncalves