GENEVA - UN experts* today welcomed the decision of Spanish authorities to establish a Truth Commission to investigate the human rights violations committed during the Spanish Civil War and the Franco dictatorship, as well as the official recognition and apology extended to victims of the Women's Protection Board (Patronato de Protección a la Mujer).
"The Commission is a long awaited and historical step that will help provide redress to victims and healing for Spanish society," the experts said.
The Commission on Human Rights Violations during the War and the Dictatorship was created by the Democratic Memory Council to systematise existing knowledge and deepen under‑researched areas. It will issue a final report with conclusions and recommendations to ensure reparation and prevent recurrence.
"The Truth Commission represents an historic opportunity to confront a painful legacy and reveal the truth about harm inflicted and circumstances and responsibilities that led to it," the experts said.
"The process must be independent, effective and comprehensive, and conducted with the meaningful participation of victims."
The Truth Commission will also include a dedicated sub commission to investigate violations committed against women confined in centres of the Women's Protection Board from 1941 to 1985.
The experts praised the public ceremony in which state officials formally acknowledged the serious human rights violations endured by thousands of women detained without trial or due process, including arbitrary detention and incarceration, physical abuse, forced labour and the trafficking and enforced disappearance of their newborn children.
During the event, 53 survivors received formal recognition of their right to reparation for the violence and repression they suffered.The Official State Gazette also announced the initiation of proceedings to declare the Women's Protection Board a Democratic Memory Site.
"These measures are a significant step towards delivering reparation to victims of grave human rights violations whose suffering remained hidden and unaddressed for far too long," the experts said.
"We commend Spain for initiating these processes to elucidate the truth and recognise the status of victims, which builds on the substantial progress made with the adoption of the Law of Democratic Memory of 2022."
"However, more needs to be done: criminal accountability of perpetrators, full reparation of victims, recognition and memorialisation of all violations, establishment of the fate and whereabouts of forcibly disappeared persons and, in particular, identification and location of forcibly disappeared children and institutional and legal reforms required to dismantle the remnants of the dictatorship must all be ensured," the experts said.
"These are binding obligations which must be fulfilled without further delay. We are ready to provide technical assistance where needed."
The experts have been in contact with the authorities.
