Self-Determination Referendum of Catalonia calls for International Monitoring

Following the call of a referendum in Catalonia on the first of October, as per the Law on the Self-Determination Referendum, approved by the Catalan Parliament the 6th September 2017, article 15.1 establishes: “The Government of Catalonia and its electoral administration will encourage the presence of international election monitors”.

It is for this reason that the catalan government calls international non-governmental organisations and people for giving support to the initiative and take part in the observation of the referendum in order to witness the proceedings throughout the day and guaranteeing the democratic quality.

Specifically, the catalan government is looking for people who will make possible two different types of election monitoring: international observers and international visitors.

If you want to be an international observer, you have to know:

Experienced international observers with prior involvement in electoral observation missions will be especially welcomed. The international observers will be selected according to education and relevant experience, as well as the information detailed in the “Proposed Electoral Observation Activities” document to be submitted and attached to the application.

This proposal must include a working plan detailing foreseen activities, description of responsibilities within the working team, mission schedule, and CVs of the working team accrediting their relevant training and experience.

Requeriments:

• All international observers must submit the corresponding application and the required documents with the procedure specified above by 25th September 2017
• Must be aged 18 or over on the day of the referendum
• May be of any nationality but Spanish
• Will be required to sign in the application form a commitment to respect the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and the Code of Conduct for International Election Observers adopted on October, 27, 2005 at the United Nations

If you are interested in applying as an international observer, you must download the relevant form and send it fully filled to monitors@referendum.cat by 25th September 2017 attaching the documents specified in the form.

If you want to be an international visitor, you have to know:

International Visitors interested in witness the proceedings of the Referendum will also be welcomed. International Visitors will be accredited on an individual basis and will be selected among distinguished academics in social sciences, or those with political experience or with a relevant career in the defense and promotion of human rights.

Requeriments:

• must submit the corresponding application and the required documents with the procedure specified above by 25th September 2017.
• must be aged 18 or over on the day of the referendum
• may be of any nationality but Spanish
• will be required to sign in the application form a commitment to respect the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and the Code of Conduct for International Election Observers adopted on October, 27, 2005 at the United Nations.

If you are interested in applying as an international visitor, you must download the relevant form here and send it fully filled to visitors@referendum.cat by 25th September 2017 attaching the documents specified in the form.

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