Spanish Parliament Approves Amnesty for Participants in 2017 Catalan Independence Vote

The Spanish Parliament approved a significant law on Thursday that grants amnesty to Catalan separatists involved in the illegal October 2017 independence referendum.

The amnesty could apply to hundreds of individuals, including Carles Puigdemont, the former Catalan leader who has been living in self-imposed exile for seven years.

The law faced strong opposition from other political parties in recent months, resulting in widespread anger and large demonstrations in cities across Spain.

Critics argue that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez used the amnesty as a tactic to retain power after his party fell short of a majority in last July’s general elections. Sánchez negotiated the amnesty deal with the Catalan separatist party Together for Catalonia.

During the parliamentary vote on Thursday, some lawmakers shouted “traitor” at Sánchez as he cast his vote.

Spain’s judges have two months to implement the new law, though its opponents have pledged to continue efforts to block it.

Critics claim the measure violates the Constitution’s principle of equality, arguing it is unfair to others facing legal proceedings.

The regional president of Madrid, Isabel Ayuso, announced in a radio interview on Thursday that her government would take steps to hinder the law’s implementation and present an appeal on the grounds of unconstitutionality.

Pablo Simón, a political scientist at Carlos III University in Madrid, noted that judges could also challenge the law if they view the general amnesty as discriminatory.

He stated that judges might seek intervention from the European Court of Justice, which could potentially halt the law.

The amnesty law applies to individuals involved in the Catalan independence movement, particularly during the events of October 2017.

At that time, the region’s separatist government, led by Puigdemont, ignored Spanish court orders and proceeded with a referendum.

The voting process saw numerous voters injured due to violent police intervention. Following the balloting, a declaration of independence was made, which was quickly followed by a crackdown from the Spanish government. The government dismissed the Catalan administration and imposed direct control.

Nine political leaders were imprisoned for crimes including sedition, while Puigdemont fled to France and then to Belgium, narrowly avoiding arrest.

While Sánchez’s government has already pardoned the political leaders and activists who were jailed, this new amnesty extends further.

It will dismiss cases against those facing prosecution on various charges, such as the misuse of public funds to finance the 2017 referendum, civil disobedience (including teachers who allowed schools to be used as polling stations), and resisting authority by participating in riots that obstructed Spanish law enforcement from gathering evidence.

The only exceptions to the new amnesty legislation are cases related to terrorism.

Main Image: By Ministry of the Presidency. Government of Spain: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=74895015

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