Sarrea Euskal Udalekuak, the entity responsible for the summer camps in Bernedo, has announced its application for the relevant permits. This follows the Provincial Council of Araba's decision to prohibit the first summer session and to sanction the organization with a 9,000 euro fine and a three-year disqualification for administrative non-compliance.
This sanctioning procedure was initiated concurrently with a judicial investigation prompted by 21 complaints received regarding acts against sexual freedom involving minors at the camp. These complaints, currently progressing through the courts, are linked to offenses such as exhibitionism, harassment, coercion, sexual provocation, offenses against moral integrity, and sexual assault.
In a video published on social media, the organization has denounced what it describes as a "political and ideological persecution." Their spokespersons stated, "We are clear that all of this is to hinder our project; it is not a legal or administrative problem, it is a political and ideological issue," alleging a "defamation campaign" against them. They also label as a "lie" the claim that 20 families have filed complaints, asserting that their data indicates complainants include Vox, Abogados Cristianos, Hazte Oir, and the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa.
The organizers deem the penalty imposed by the Provincial Council of Araba "disproportionate" and emphasize that the provincial institution was aware of their activities, having hosted children under the Council's guardianship in previous years. Furthermore, they note that the Council had previously subsidized one of the associations that form part of the group.
They have indicated that the ban specifically affects the first session of the camps, which they intended to organize through another entity, Dorrekoa. Permits have been processed for subsequent sessions, although they anticipate a similar response. The Provincial Council reportedly viewed Dorrekoa as an instrumental company set up to organize the same camps, leading to the denial of their operational possibility.
