Human rights abusers in Franco-era Spain could be tried in Argentina

[Judi Lynn]

Human rights abusers in Franco-era Spain could be tried in Argentina

Buenos Aires judge Maria Servini de Cubria invokes ‘universal jurisdiction’ to try serious rights abuses committed by regime

Associated Press in Madrid
Sunday 2 November 2014 15.58 EST



Francisco Franco with Juan Carlos de Borbon. Photograph: Mondadori Collection/UIG/Rex
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An Argentinian judge has opened old wounds from Spain’s dictatorship by ordering some of General Franco’s former ministers to face justice for alleged killings. Groups campaigning for justice for people tortured and killed under Francisco Franco hailed the “historic” move to demand the extradition of 20 Spanish officials including several ex-ministers.

They have also welcomed moves to investigate allegations that hundreds of thousands of babies were stolen from left-wing and unmarried mothers under the dictatorship.

Buenos Aires judge, Maria Servini de Cubria, issued the arrest and extradition warrants invoking “universal jurisdiction”, a legal doctrine that authorises judges to try serious rights abuses committed in other countries.

One of the lawyers acting for the plaintiffs, Carlos Slepoy, said it was the first time former ministers of the regime were targeted under universal jurisdiction.

“It is historic,” said Maria Arcenegui Siemens, spokeswoman for the Association for the Recovery of Historical Memory, which supports victims of Spain’s 1936-1939 civil war and the ensuing 36-year dictatorship. “It is a great day.”

More:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/02/buenos-aires-spain-franco-argentina

[MADem]

1. Those guys aren't spring chickens. How many will use the dementia defense?

The two most prominent people targeted by Servini are Rodolfo Martin Villa, 79, who was a senior official in Franco’s regime and later interior minister just after the dictator’s death, and José Utrera Molina, 86, who was housing minister under Franco.

Villa is accused of ordering a police raid on protesting workers sheltering in a church which left five people dead in 1976.

...Two years after Franco’s death in 1975, Spanish leaders signed an amnesty agreement seen as essential to avoid a spiral of score-settling as they tried to unite the country and steer it to democracy. .... Servini last year issued warrants for two former policemen accused of torture, but the Spanish courts refused to extradite them.

Realistically, I would not hold my breath. I don't think Spain will hand over these geezers no matter how much blood they have on their hands. Sovereignty trumps Interpol warrants any day of the week. So long as they don't leave Spain, they are likely safe.