***Spanish Civil War reparations

by whataboutbob Wed Aug 2nd, 2006 at 04:00:25 AM EST

From Sunday's European Breakfast, Izzy found this in the Seattle Post-Intelligenser: Spain approves civil war reparations bill

MADRID, Spain -- The Spanish government has approved a divisive bill allowing reparations for victims of the Spanish Civil War and the ensuing dictatorship of Gen. Francisco Franco, one of the darkest chapters of Spain's modern history.
The bill also bans symbols and references to the 1939-1975 Franco regime in public buildings and asks local governments to rename streets or plazas that are named after the former dictator or allude to his regime.
"This bill is going to help heal without reopening old wounds," Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega said Friday. She expressed hope it would allow Spain "to close with honor a tragic chapter of our history."
The legislation, prepared by an ad hoc government commission, is expected to gain the majority approval required in Parliament. It was uncertain whether it would go before lawmakers by the end of the year.

From the front page

***Spanish Civil War reparations | 8 comments (8 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Spanish Civil War reparations (4.00 / 2)

Here is a summary of the law in El Pais. El Mundo usually has full texts available, but not in this case, presumably because the bill has yet to go through the Parliament. ABC has the full text [PDF] of the project. [all links in Spanish]

Anyway, the reparations will not be monetary, but "moral", that is, a public declaration that the person in question was unjustly persecuted during the civil war or the Dictatorship. Although this amounts to having old convictions overturned and struck from the books, the government decided not to declare the trials null and void, as apparently this would have made the state liable for damages, and the Constitutional Court has in the past refused to hear cases originating before the Constitution was approved.

Nothing is 'mere'. — Richard P. Feynman

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jul 31st, 2006 at 04:56:23 AM EST

Re: Spanish Civil War reparations (none / 1)

This won't be popular with the Right, I would imagine...but on the other hand, this acknowledgement of the past is brilliant, imho. Sad that it took so long, but better late than never in acknowledging past wrongs...

"Once in awhile we get shown the light, in the strangest of places, if we look at it right" - Hunter/Garcia

by whataboutbob on Mon Jul 31st, 2006 at 07:59:28 AM EST

Re: Spanish Civil War reparations (none / 0)

It falls short of a "truth and reconciliation" movement, though.
El Pais: The Law on Victims of Francoism will not allow the names of henchmen to be published (31-07-2006)

The projected law on the victims of the Civil War and dictatorship, whose text El Pais had access to, establishes in its Article 7 that the singular declarations where it is detailed that executions, sentences or sanctions suffered by the affected people are menifestly unjust will not be allowed to indicate the name of the henchmen.

Also, the Right is claiming that reconciliation already took place when the Constitution was written.

Nothing is 'mere'. — Richard P. Feynman

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jul 31st, 2006 at 08:05:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Nothing to add (4.00 / 2)

to what Migerus syas here.

Just to emphasize that this is probbly the farthere youc an get... but also the thing that makes more sense. A fully reconicliatory movement in Spain will provide cover for the arguemnt of the right that it is better not unbury shit because you would get shitty. Ont he other hand a moral reparation is something most of the spaniards agree.

It may sound contradictory, but both arguemnts have a lot of resonance in middle of the ground and centered people all around Spain. We leave in symbolic universes so two somewhat contracticotry symbols can be sustained at the same time by the same person (actually completely contradictory are not only possible but common), So I think it is a very correct step....which does not mean that the Right wing will nto take their chances pushing the issue with some kind of crazy frame.

A pleasure

I therefore claim to show, not how men think in myths, but how myths operate in men's minds without their being aware of the fact. Levi-Strauss, Claude

by kcurie on Mon Jul 31st, 2006 at 09:46:14 AM EST

Re: Spanish Civil War reparations (none / 0)

So, which is it "divisive" or "healing?"

I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell. _ Blood Sweat & Tears

by Gringo (stargazing camel at aoldotcom) on Mon Jul 31st, 2006 at 05:52:35 PM EST

Re: Spanish Civil War reparations (none / 0)

It depends on who you ask.

The right wing claims it's divisive, but of course they're the ones who won the Civil War.

Nothing is 'mere'. — Richard P. Feynman

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jul 31st, 2006 at 05:56:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: ***Spanish Civil War reparations (none / 0)

reparation:n; a monetary payment the loser of a war has to pay the winner.

The Republic lost the war.

by messy on Wed Aug 2nd, 2006 at 11:51:31 AM EST