The response of the Popular Party and Vox to the recommendations made by the UN on the “laws of concord” of the regional governments of Castilla y León, Aragón, and Valencia opens a debate that seemed to be resolved. It is concerning that an international organization has to remind a fully consolidated democracy like Spain of its obligations regarding the grave human rights violations committed during the Spanish Civil War and Franco’s dictatorship. The laws approved by the PP governments supported by the far-right “order the suppression of multiple entities, projects, websites, and activities related to historical memory.” Despite the severity of these measures, especially when the PP claims to stand for truth and freedom of expression, a party of the State must adhere to the laws and international treaties it claims to respect. The Democratic Memory Law is a legal obligation derived from international commitments made by all governments of Spain, including the Popular Party.
The Popular Party, led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo, continues to use the arguments of Vox’s far-right ideology and downplays the dictatorship, contradicting the vast global historical consensus established by numerous historians of various nationalities and ideologies. Political opposition is legitimate and necessary for a functioning democracy, but the PP’s strategy severely damages both social harmony within Spain and the international image of the country in a time of fragile geopolitical balance and reactionary challenges to the rule of law worldwide. A consolidated democracy like Spain should have abandoned the use of memory and victims’ pain as bargaining chips for power long ago, as other European democracies have done. The respect for the truth of historical events should prevail over political goals, especially in cases of human rights violations.
One of the rapporteurs of the report on the laws of the PP and Vox has emphasized that denying the existence of historical events is an offense to intelligence. Political leaders must be unequivocal in upholding the ethical imperative of acknowledging and preserving historical memory. However, the response from the Popular Party raises questions about the extent to which it is willing to fulfill its legal obligation to ensure strict compliance with international standards regarding the preservation of historical memory of grave human rights violations. In such matters, there should be no room for irresponsible revisionism or electoral manipulation.
It is crucial for a democracy to prioritize truth and justice over partisan interests, especially when dealing with such sensitive issues as human rights violations. The manipulation of historical memory for political gain not only undermines the fabric of a society but also tarnishes the international reputation of a country. It is essential for political leaders to demonstrate a clear commitment to upholding the rule of law and recognizing the suffering of victims of past atrocities. The international community expects Spain, as a respected member of the global community, to fulfill its obligations regarding historical memory and human rights with integrity and sincerity, regardless of political affiliations. Only by embracing the truth and acknowledging the mistakes of the past can a nation truly move forward towards reconciliation and healing.
