Lenox

A year has passed since the Priors’ home in Vera was demolished. Since then, nothing has been done (and less accomplished). Thousands of other ‘illegal’ houses in eastern Almería are under threat from a callous administration in Seville and its offices in Almería. Many thousands more are under threat elsewhere in Andalucía.
In the past few years, the international community resident in Spain has fallen victim to property mortgage scams, ‘land grab’, property fraud, corruption and thievery. Spain’s reputation is in tatters internationally because the authorities have failed to act coherently.
It’s time to make the call: the Priors will have been living in a garage without water and electricity for a year on January 9th 2009.
It’s time to show support and outrage.

Theme: Stop Corruption. Justice Now. Support us. We bought in good faith. Save our homes. Stop planning and real estate abuse. Regularisation now. Justice for the Priors. Transparency and Citizen Participation.

The organisers, residents in the province of Almería, are holding a peaceful protest: (1) against real estate and planning corruption and insecurity and to ask for justice; (2) to ask for solutions and the protection of purchasers in good faith, some of which, are subject to the threat of demolition, and many of which do not have proper water and electricity; (3) to seek transparency and citizen participation in the regularisation process; (4) against proposed charges the Junta seeks to levy within the regularisation process, and which should be met by those responsible, and to ensure this is guaranteed in writing; (5) to ask for justice for the Prior family, victims of so-called ‘planning irregularities’, whose house was demolished a year ago, and who have not yet seen any sign of redress.

The route will take us to the offices of the Junta de Andalucía’s representatives in Almería City. The march begins at the Puerta de Puchena, will go past the Edificio de la Diputación (Almería County Council) to continue to the Oficina del Subdelegado Provincial de la Junta de Andalucía where speeches (in both Spanish and English) will be made and a note handed to the provincial representative of the Junta de Andalucía, Luís Caparros.

The march has all necessary permissions from the Almería police and town hall. Join us!

Thank you for the support of the following citizens movements: AVEP, AULAN, AUAN, AUN, LSOS, Ciudadanos Europeos.

Contact: AULAN secretary at [email protected] or phone 950 069 558.


http://www.aulan.es/
http://www.theentertaineronline.com

Negada

I hope many attend your protest march and that it receives press and media attention in Spain and abroad, I really do. However, the arrogance and indifference of the authorities involved in all these situations beggars belief and I'm not sure that it will help to change anything...Please excuse my ignorance on the matter and maybe I'm being too simplistic but would not a huge court case held in Madrid representing the thousands of people throughout Spain who are caught up in this mess make more of an impact?

Lenox

A big court case would be fine - except that, by the time it got in front of the judge - most of the plaintiffs would have died of old age.
I think one problem about this march on January 9th is that protests are traditionally things done by the young and energetic. It's a 'bother' doing it when you are a bit older. However, those who came to Spain to retire and take life easy (as they no doubt deserve) are precisely those who are facing all kind of injustices and rip-offs. This protest in Almería City, if properly attended, will attract a lot of attention. I work with the Spanish press and can be sure of that (at least).
Of course - if no one shows up... then that's that!

poshnbucks

Whilst you are all at the PROTEST, Lewis Hamilton and I will have a little race around eastern Almería. We will be racing in my new Crimbo present. Lewis has one the same,Lots of illegal houses to use as cones.

DENISE WALTERS

Do you think many will turn up for this demonstration????
I know my solicitor is working on many cases of illegal sales of properties and land for british clients.
I do hope it is supported and the powers that be take notice .
Do you think they will surely if it is shown on telivision and reported in the European media there might be a chance ??????????

Lenox

I think there's a chance that the Junta de Andalucía will take notice - if enough people show up (12.00am at the 'Puerta de Purchena' in Almeria City - the top of the 'Paseo de Almería' - Friday, January 9th). Spaniards from the pueblos and the 'ecologistas' are joining in. It could be the chance to change things that is so necessary.
As far as the Media goes - what's not to like? European Residents clogging up a city on a Friday?
I hope those of you living in Malaga and Granada will be able to join in: this is an opportunity to sort out the entire fabric of 'illegal builds' and the wider concern of a 'European Residents' voice in Andalucía.

By the way - here's a video of the demolition of the Prior's home a year ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q89mu1xehhs

DENISE WALTERS

That is heartbreaking
Good luck for the 9th and I hope all will attend this can not happen again

Louveteau

The organisers of the Almeria march on the 9.1.09, would like to hear from similar associations or groups in Andalucia, defending the ordinary citizen against planning, realestate or environmental abuse, with a view to taking joint action in the future. If you represent one of such groups please email us at: [email protected]

Lenox

I know there's a feeling that
1 - we can't change anything
2 . we shouldn't change anything (it's their country blah blah..)
Of course, it's your town now...
Anyhow - things are changing. There are a lot of Northern Europeans living in Spain (estimates all over the place, since many don't bother to register on the padrón - probably the same ones who think it's 'their country', but don't bother to obey 'their rules'). The Brits alone are meant to be in the 750,000 to one million range. There are now many organisations, associations and groups, from the British Legion to the Dames in Spain to the Doggy Groups to the Neighbourhood Watch. All trying, in their different ways, to look out for, advise and protect their own. There are even some Europeans active in local politics (Bravo to them!) and there are some associations that seek to protect property owners. The largest - now national - is the AUN from Valencia (it is famous for its attacks on the Valencian 'Land grab' issue and has brought various MEP commissions to Spain). The Ciudadanos Europeos is the longest running and helps with information and advice to foreign buyers. Furthermore, many local 'property-owner' groups are beginning to start up, like the AULAN which has called for the protest in Almería next Friday.

MarieTherese

I for one will be going for a little trot around Almeria on the 9th together with 4 busloads of fellow concerned citizens from the Almanzora Valley. If anyone from that area wants to join us see www.almanzora-au.org for details.

If not now...when are we going to stand up for ourselves?

Lenox

Here's what the protestors will be handing in to the Junta de andalucía representative (Luís Caparros - he of the demolition of the Prior's house):



Demonstration Almeria City 9 January 2009:

We, the demonstrators, are asking for:

1. Study Commission: That a Study Commission be established, with representatives from the government and citizens’ groups (including those for the protection of homeowners’ rights and ecologists):

- To investigate the serious planning and environmental problems, to draw up a report on the causes of said problems and their possible solutions, as well as recommendations for the future.

- To follow up any measures adopted to resolve said problems, as a consulting body, ensuring maximum publicity of and transparency in all procedures.

- In both the investigation and follow-up, particular care will be taken to respect the following principles: 1) The necessity of full adherence of EU community law and fundamental rights, including those covered by the European Agreement for the Protection of Human Rights and Basic Freedoms as well as the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights; 2) The true needs of the cities and towns affected; 3) The sustainability of the environment and the need to preserve the historical and cultural identity of the affected areas; 4) That developers, officials and other third parties responsible for these problems should rectify the damages caused in a real and effective manner; 5) The threat of demolition of property acquired in good faith should only occur in exceptional cases and only when previous and real compensation has been guaranteed; 6) The legitimate right of purchasers of property acquired legally must be recognised and criteria established according to Art. 33 of the Spanish Constitution with respect to public and social interest in order to prevent and prohibit that decisions made by local and regional authorities can infringe on personal rights of ownership; 7) When it becomes necessary to compensate the loss of real estate property under any circumstances, such compensation must be made prior to the loss of the property and according to adequate valuations and the laws of the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights; 8) Any process of regularisation should, as much as possible, be in the form of binding agreements (including adequate guarantees) between those who have caused the irregularities and the various administrations. The above is almost entirely in accordance with recommendations made by the European Parliament in its Resolution dated 21 June 2007 based on results collected during their fact-finding visit to the Autonomous Communities of Andalucia, Valencia and Madrid carried out on behalf of the Committee of Petitions.

2. ARBITRATION: A special administrative commission composed in a similar fashion as the Study Commission and guided by the same principles to be created. This commission should include a provincial public defender, advised by independent investigation services including representatives from the appropriate administrations and from citizens’ groups (including those for the defence of property owners and ecology groups), and with arbitration powers over conflicts related to these problems. The commission should be available to affected parties free of charge (point 12 of above Resolution).

3. MORATORIUM: A moratorium on any pending procedures which could result in the demolition of houses should be put into effect while the Study Commission carries out its work.

4. ELECTRICITY AND WATER: Any house which has been occupied in the past three years should be temporarily permitted electricity and water services until the regularisation process has been concluded.

5. TRANPARENCY AND PARTICIPATION: Notice of any planning or environmental procedure should be communicated individually to all those affected, directly or indirectly, as well as publicised widely, not only limited to publication in the relevant Bulletins (point 10 of above Resolution).

6. PROTOCOL: A protocol should be established related to the precise steps and standardised procedures with regards to the purchase and sales of real estate to individual homeowners, such as those in other EU member states such as the UK which will include:

- The following related certificates which must be issued by the relevant administrative body: 1) Planning; 2) Environmental; 3) Catastral and Land Registry.
- Standardised sales contracts and deeds
- Set deadlines to complete each stage related to property purchases or construction to be required by law

7. CATASTRAL & LAND REGISTRY: Information in these two registries must be identical with topographical documentation in the Land Registry.

8. REAL ESTATE AGENTS: Should be 1) licensed or able to prove that they have passed an examination related to their knowledge and abilities; 2) have adequate insurance to cover all civil liabilities; 3) clearly regulated in their activities.

9. PROMOTERS & CONSTRUCTORS: These must be subject to bonds, guarantees or other insurance to cover any third-party liabilities including from buyers, administrations, for environmental issues, etc. Proof that such guarantees are valid should be required before any property transaction whatsoever.

10. PRIOR FAMILY: The Junta de Andalucia should immediately compensate the Prior family, carrying out any action against third parties which it deems necessary, without the Priors having to undertake any further legal action in order to attain such compensation.

MarieTherese

Greetings from the Almanzora Valley

Some 200 pensioners will be joining the march tomorrow by bus alone (so please walk slowly)

Good luck to all concerned!

DENISE WALTERS

Good luck for tomorrow all

Lenox

It seemed to go well. We were lucky that the weather was warm and sunny (!). We met up at the top of the main street, the 'Paseo de Almería' and I gave some speech in Spanglish to the assembled protestors (and passers by). The 'carpet-slippers and cocoa' protestors (as one of them said), escorted by the police, then took off down the Obispo Orberá and on down to the offices of the Junta de Andalucía's gauleiter in Almería where speeches from various people with land-grab and other problems were made. I read Helen Prior's speech for her (...'sometimes I think that I would rather have been put against a wall and shot than to have gone through with this') as she was in the office of Luís Caparros (he who ordered the demolition a year ago) together with the leaders of the AULAN and AUAN protest groups and their lawyer.
We were told afterwards that 'progress had been made' (which means little) and that we should have a clearer picture by next week. I'll continue to write this up as I get information - see Spanish Shilling.

Negada

Good to hear that the protest went well.

Don't suppose you have an email address for this Luis Caparros?