CONFIDENTIAL
SPAIN
Report by HM Embassy Madrid
General Observations
The detailed report was prepared by Chancery, Madrid. HM Ambassador has made the following general comments:
As various comments in our detailed assessment suggest the present trend here is very much for the better, and with luck that should continue. Because of the transition factor I would have been inclined myself to mark Spain a bit more charitably under one or two of the headings. For example I doubt that "torture" in the absolute sense of the term is at all widespread now even in the case of suspected terrorists. Intimidation, brutality, etc, is another matter, even though it is declared Government policy to suppress all that too. But it has to be remembered that violence is ever latent under the surface in Spain, a variety of opponents of the regime do not use kid glove methods, and a considerable number of police, civil guards, etc, have been murdered or seriously hurt in recent years, usually in "cold-blood" situations.
Right No.
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Rating suggested by Post
Existing anti-terrorist legisla- tion permits detention without charge for up to ten days; summary fines can also be imposed without trial for public order offences which if not paid lead to imprison- ment. Although bail is freely granted nowadays and delays in bringing prisoners to trial are usually administrative, at least 10 alleged terrorists have been held without trial for some years. But the trend since Franco died is distinctly favourable.
Torture is used on suspected terrorists, though since Franco died the authorities have been making increasing efforts to con- trol the police and temper their methods. Recently some complaints against police brutality have led to judicial investigations, which is an encouraging departure from previous police immunity.
There is no slavery in Spain.
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5-6
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