Post-transitional Justice in Spain: Passing the Historical Memory Law

Abstract

This honors thesis traces the origin of the post-transitional justice efforts by the Spanish government to recognize and offer reparations for the human rights crimes committed during the Spanish Civil War and subsequent Franco dictatorship. After a delay of at least thirty years, the Historical Memory Law, passed in 2007, is regarded as one of Spain’s most ambitious measures to address its past human rights violations. This thesis argues that three main factors encouraged the Law’s passage. First, Spanish involvement in foreign social justice shined a spotlight on Spain’s own unsettled past. Secondly, the maturation of a younger generation that evaded the worst years of the dictatorship turned public opinion in favor of reparation. Finally, the Law was introduced under opportune political circumstances and encompassed minimal reparations to receive the necessary congressional vote.