Batasuna has denied links to the ETA separatist group

Spain passed the anti-terror law in 2002 and used it this year to ban the party permanently, alleging it has links to the armed separatist group, ETA.

The Basque government lodged the complaint on the grounds that the law violates the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights.

It says the law falls foul of several articles of the convention, including the right to a fair trial and freedom of association.

But Spanish Interior Minister Angel Acebes denounced the decision.

"The fact that the Basque government are setting themselves up as the defenders of the party of the terrorist organization ETA...is an outright affront to democracy and an intolerable insult to the victims of terrorism," he told Spanish radio.

And Batasuna itself has rejected the challenge, saying it will "do nothing to change the policy of apartheid" it says is practised by the Spanish Government, news agency AFP quoted it as saying.

Links denied

Batasuna was banned permanently in March this year; it had already been suspended for three years since August 2002.

BANNING BATASUNA June 2002 - law passed allowing parties' suspension Aug 2002 - Batasuna suspended for three years by magistrate Baltasar Garzon Sept 2002 - government begins seeking permanent ban Oct 2002 Batasuna loses appeal against three-year suspension March 2003 - Spanish Supreme Court agrees permanent ban

Spain's right-wing government, under Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, had been seeking the permanent ban since September last year.

It was the first time since the 1975 death of dictator General Francisco Franco that a political party had been banned.

Batasuna has always denied reports that it is ETA's political wing.

ETA has been fighting for three decades for an independent Basque homeland comprising parts of northern Spain and south-western France.