The Spanish government has urged the region of Aragon, where the Popular Party (PP) and Vox govern in coalition, to reconsider the repeal of the memory law approved on February 15. If this is not done within six months, the government will go directly to the Constitutional Court. This decision comes after the UN called on Spain to take action against the so-called “laws of concord” being proposed by other regional governments led by PP and Vox. This is a warning to regions like Valencia and Castilla y León, which have announced similar laws. The Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Ángel Víctor Torres, stated that the government will initiate dialogue with Aragon to modify the law in line with the UN’s recommendations.
The President of Aragon, Jorge Azcón, has criticized the government’s decision to hold a bilateral meeting regarding the Aragonese law as an act of “electioneering”. He accused the Socialist Party of focusing on their political interests rather than the real issues facing the region. The Vice President of Aragon, Alejandro Nolasco, also rejected the possibility of the issue being taken to the Constitutional Court if the disagreement persists. The government’s objective is to change laws that violate human rights and erase the memory of victims of the Franco regime. The government has sent a similar intention to the presidents of Castilla y León and the Valencian Community, urging them to reconsider their proposed laws.
The government has initiated a legal offensive against the “laws of concord” proposed by PP and Vox in various regions, following the UN report which highlighted concerns about the impact of these laws on the preservation of historical memory. The report by the UN special rapporteurs noted that these laws could hinder access to the truth about the fate of the victims of the Civil War and the Franco dictatorship, as well as inhibit projects related to historical memory. The government is prepared to move forward with legal action if the regional governments do not engage in dialogue to address these concerns.
The Minister Torres emphasized the need for the Aragonese government to reconsider the law in order to align with the principles of human rights and historical memory. He criticized the response from the President of Aragon to the UN report, describing it as biased and serving political interests. The government is committed to ensuring that regional laws do not conflict with national legislation and international human rights standards. The aim is to protect the rights of victims of the Franco regime and preserve the memory of past atrocities.
The government’s decision to address the proposed laws in Aragon is part of a broader effort to prevent legislation that could undermine the preservation of historical memory and human rights. The UN report highlighted the potential negative impact of these laws on access to justice and the visibility of past human rights violations. The government is committed to upholding the principles of truth, justice, and reparation for victims of historical injustices. The government’s engagement with regional authorities is aimed at promoting dialogue and collaboration to address these concerns in a mutually beneficial manner.
