Spain: New law against racism debated
01 January 1991
Spain: New law against racism debated
artdoc June=1993
Amendments to the penal code, approved by the Spanish Congress,
have made racism and xenophobia against individuals a criminal
offence. The amendment to the penal code, proposed by the PSOE
and gaining cross-party support, was, however, criticised by some
opposition groups for not going far enough - in particular for
not penalising forms of racism beyond offences against the
individual such as discrimination, the refusal to rent flats, the
destruction of cars and buildings and the growth of nazism. In
reply to such criticisms, the Socialist speaker, Carlos Lopen
Riano said that `we should not be carried away by impulses' and
that `as a first step our amendment is very comprehensive' (El
Pais 18.3.93).
Murder of anti-racist
An 18-year-old anti-racist activist, Guillem Agullo , has been
stabbed to death in the district of Montanejos, in the L'horta
Nord province. Pablo Cuevas, 22, who has admitted to having
connections with neo-nazi organisations, has been arrested after
giving himself up to the police.
Following the murder, the family of Guillem Agullo i Salvador
organised a press conference partly, it seems, to correct
misleading statements put out by the local municipality that
suggested that Guillem was killed after a fight between rival,
drunken gangs.
According to a representative of the family, Guillem was in a
plaza with two friends when he was approached by Cuevas who
announced `I am a nazi from Marchalene'. The nazis began an
argument about racism which culminated in Guillem being stabbed
in the right-lung with a flick knife. After this, Cuevas and his
friends left the plaza shouting `Long live Spain, Long live
Franco'.
Following the murder a demonstration of 1,500 people was held
in Burjassot (Valencia). Guillem, who was the son of the
secretary of the United Party of the Valencian People, had been
active in anti-racist politics and was also a member of
`Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice'(El Periodica 16.4.93,
21.4.93,El Pais 12.4.93).
Fascism in Valencia
Following the murder of Guillem, facts are beginning to emerge
about the extent of neo-nazi organisation in Valencia. Both the
Unio del Poble Valencia and Izquierda Unida (United Left) say
that paramilitary training camps for nazis are in existence in
various areas of Montenjos, Betera and Naquera. The Mayor of
Naquera, however, denies this.
Days after the murder, a right-wing supporters group at
Valencia Football Club came to the ground waving a placard which
read `Guillem fuck yourself'. According to El Periodica, the
supporters group had entered the ground at half-price, after a
member of the club's board had paid the other 50% of their
tickets. Valencia FC has stated that it intends to demand an
explanation from the supporters and monitor their behaviour in
the future (El Periodica 21.4.93).
Neo-nazi activity in Barcelona
The Ministry of the Interior claims that violent actions by
groups of skinheads in Barcelona have decreased significantly in
recent months as a result of increased activity by the police.
The Barcelona flying squad has been carrying out `daily
observations of the movements and activities of violent groups'
according to the Ministry. Another report from the Ministry
claimed that there has been a moderation in the racist positions
of extreme right groups `as a result of their negative response
from society, as well as the attention they receive from the
police' (El Periodica 16.4.93).
IRR European Race Audit no 4 1993. Contact: Liz Fekete, Institute
of Race Relations, 2-6 Leeke Street, London WC1X 9HS. Tel: ++ 071
837 0041