At a tribute ceremony held today at the BEC, Iñigo Urkullu recalled the origins of the Basque police with the creation of the Ertzaña in 1936 and emphasized the challenges ahead: the integration in Europe and the strengthening of prevention, digitization and equality.
The Ertzaintza is, 40 years after its creation, “a trawler that makes progress with everyone’s efforts”, as emphasized by the Lehendakari Inigo Urkulluwho chaired the institutional tribute that took place at the BEC in Barakaldo (Bizkaia).
The recognition ceremony was attended by the members of the various units, groups and teams of the Ertzaintza, the Ministry of Security, as well as numerous personalities from the main Basque institutions, parties, the judiciary, trade unions and the media. For example, there have been the lehendakaris Ardanza or Garaikoetxea, the mayors of the three capitals, the chairman of the TSJPV or the Minister of the Interior of the Generalitat.
In his speech, Urkullu “proudly celebrated the strength of an institution born of the Basque people and serving the Basque people. Your commitment, sacrifice and effort deserve our deepest recognition and gratitude. The new generations will take over and will be recipients of your experience, knowledge and values,” he emphasized.
The Lehendakari recalled the origins of the Basque police in 1936when Lehendakari Agirre de Ertzaña, “a mighty instrument with 300 men and its first two infantry and motorized sections.” Urkullu has justified the spirit that presided over the establishment by reading verbatim the statement signed by Agirre: “This corps will awaken through its actions, work, efforts and correction, not terror and hostility, but admiration and affection. It becomes a protection of respect, an instrument of tranquility and friend of the people, for his help, his guidance and his ability to prosecute the criminal and restore peace wherever it was disturbed.”
Almost five decades later, as early as the 1980s, the Ardanza government created the embryo of today’s Ertzaintza in Berrozi (Álava), although it was not until February 1982 when the first promotion of agents came in to train at the Academy of arkauté
The event included a special tribute to those who lost their lives in an act of service and especially to those 15 agents killed by ETA About them, the lehendakari have said that the extinct armed organization “tried to intimidate society and the Ertzaintza”, although “it did not succeed”. Subsequently, Urkullu recently recalled “the systematic violation of human rights at the gates of the European Union” by Russia and once again condemned “the armed invasion against Ukraine” and expressed solidarity with all those people they suffer “the consequences of this unwarranted attack”.
Finally, the Lehendakari recalled the challenges faced by the autonomous police in responding to the needs of modern society: including its integration in Europe, strengthening prevention, expanding digitization and equality.
Source: EITB
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
