SPAIN (continued)
Right No.
(iv)
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(vi)
(vii)
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Restraints on freedom of speech are growing less, though political lectures and seminars are still sometimes banned and the press have to be wary of how they treat certain subjects, eg the monarchy, the Armed Forces and the unity of Spain. Radio and TV are still closely controlled by the govern- ment, though their reporting is rapidly becoming more objective.
The government normally respect the independence of the Judiciary, except in political and public order cases where they give (in- creasingly lenient) guidance, and in cases which could have embarras- sing political overtones. The jurisdiction of military tribunals also extends outside their strictly professional orbit. The government are now thought to be considering the abolition of the notorious Public Order Courts.
All workers belong by law to a uni- tary State-controlled trade union organisation which is the only legal channel for negotiation and the de- fence of workers' interests. But in practice this system is beginning to be dismantled. Independent trade unions have existed semi-clandestinely for some time. Nowadays they increas- ingly flourish, and their legalisation is expected shortly.
The granting of a passport to travel was quite often withheld on political grounds in Franco's day. It is still not an automatic right. But in prac- tice it is now only withheld in the case of young men who have not ful- filled their military obligations. Emigration in general is part of the Spanish way of life. Since a recent amnesty all exiled Spaniards with a very few exceptions have been allowed to return.
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