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Spain's Human Rights Probes Spark Backlash

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted May 24, 2009 7:40 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Judges in Spain are pressing human rights cases against top officials around the world, prompting threats abroad and criticisms at home, the Washington Post reports. Invoking so-called universal jurisdiction, judges are probing 16 cases, including US approval of torture and Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip. But nervous Spanish lawmakers reacted by voting to limit the nation's judicial reach.

"How can a Spanish judge with limited resources determine what really happened in Tiananmen or Tibet?" one legislator asked. Caught in the middle is Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, who seeks to warm frosty relations with Washington. Advocates say Spanish arrest warrants can enable other countries to nab abusers: Any democratic member of the United Nations "should be able to bring these cases," one lawyer said.

Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero attends a press conference on August 21, 2008 in Madrid, Spain.
Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero attends a press conference on August 21, 2008 in Madrid, Spain.   (Getty Images)
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero makes an official statement at the Moncloa Palace March 7, 2008 in Madrid, Spain.
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero makes an official statement at the Moncloa Palace March 7, 2008 in Madrid, Spain.   (Getty Images)
Spanish judge Baltazar Garzon gestures after a television interview in Guatemala City, Wednesday March 11, 2009.
Spanish judge Baltazar Garzon gestures after a television interview in Guatemala City, Wednesday March 11, 2009.   (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Spanish Judge Baltasar Garzon arrives at Palma de Mallorca's court, in Spain, Saturday, June 14, 2008.
Spanish Judge Baltasar Garzon arrives at Palma de Mallorca's court, in Spain, Saturday, June 14, 2008.   (AP Photo/Manu Mielniezuk)
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero attends a press conference following a meeting of European Union leaders at the Chancellery on February 22, 2009 in Berlin, Germany.
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero attends a press conference following a meeting of European Union leaders at the Chancellery on February 22, 2009 in Berlin, Germany.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
jagerhans
Sep 15, 2009 9:18 AM CDT
you're right but who knows maybe those judges are a minority that agrees with you but cannot go further because of political pressure.
Stuart
May 26, 2009 10:59 AM CDT
I hope we start indicting the Spanish for their treatment of the Basques. Self-righteous hypocrites.
serfinWI
May 26, 2009 5:47 AM CDT
If you live in a glass house...

Human rights groups blast Spanish lawmakers
Expatica

Spain moves to curb judges
Wall Street Journal

Names of officials targeted in probes
Monsters & Critics

 
China • Israel • human rights • Spain • human rights abuse • judges

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