Spain blamed for exorbitant power at Catalonia protests

Human Rights Watch has accused Spanish police officers of using excessive force against civilians during Catalonia's referendum on secession from Spain.

Security forces - including the Spanish Civil Guard and National Police Corps - used batons and shields to strike and charge at peaceful protesters causing multiple injuries, according to a report by the rights group released on Thursday.

"Our detailed investigation into three cases found that national police and Civil Guard officers used excessive force on October 1 in Catalonia," said HRW's Kartik Raj.

"The police may well have had the law on their side to enforce a court order but it didn't give them the right to use violence against peaceful protesters."

HRW documented the excessive use of force by officers in the cities of Barcelona and Girona, and received a number of other allegations regarding ill-treatment of protesters by police.

The organisation called on officials from Catalonia and the Spanish government to "cooperate fully with an independent investigation into the violence".

Nearly 900 people were injured during the region's disputed vote on secession from Spain on October 1, according to regional and national authorities. More than 400 police officers were also injured.

The report comes as Spain prepares to celebrate its National Day on Thursday, despite the ongoing political crisis.

Five-day ultimatum
The separatist movement secured a 90-percent vote in favour of independence but a unionist boycott of the vote meant turnout stood at just 43 percent.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has given Catalonia's President Carles Puigdemont five days to clarify whether or not he has declared the region independent.

Puigdemont suspended any declaration of independence to allow for talks with the central government in Madrid during a speech to the Catalan regional parliament on October 10.

Article 155 of the Spanish constitution enables the focal government in Madrid to take coorsdinate control of any of the nation's 17 self-sufficient districts - of which Catalonia is one - in the event that they are considered to violate the law.

Spain's established court ruled to suspend the choice a month ago, in light of the fact that the nation's 1978 Constitution states Spain is unified and gives the national government the selective energy to hold choices.

Catalonia is home to 7.5 million individuals and has an unmistakable culture, history and dialect. The district is one of the wealthiest in Spain, representing a fifth of the nation's monetary yield. Chronicled question and financial grievances have fortified the reason for freedom for the area.

Catalans beforehand voted for withdrawing in a non-restricting choice in 2014, with 80 percent in support.