Brussels, 7 March 2008 (ITUC OnLine): The ITUC has denounced the murder by ETA separatist terrorists of Isaías Carrasco in the northern city of Mondragón. Carrasco, a member of the ITUC-affiliated UGT-Spain, and former Socialist municipal councillor, was shot several times early in the afternoon of 7 March outside his home, in front of his wife and daughter.

Following the killing, both main political parties suspended campaigning for Sunday’s Spanish general election, and the government has summoned the political parties to a meeting at the country’s Chamber of Deputies this evening.

“The best response to this crime is for all the workers of the country to take part in Sunday’s general elections”, according to the UGT, which has called for full support for the government’s anti-terrorist policies and unity amongst all the political parties against terrorism.

“The ITUC sends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Isaías Carrasco, and fully supports the Spanish trade union movement in its determination to defend democracy and combat such terrorist atrocities”, said ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder.

The ITUC represents 168 million workers in 155 countries and territories and has 311 national affiliates. Website: http://www.ituc-csi.org

For more information, please contact the ITUC Press Department on: +32 2 224 0204 or +32 476 621 018