Charges Brought in Spanish Racial Violence Case

18 May 2007

On 30 June 2006, the Spanish national newspaper El Pais reported that the Aracena First Instance Court in Huelva, Spain, brought charges against sixteen people, including Mr Antonio Marín, Mayor of Cortagena's Las Eritas neighbourhood where, in January 2005, violent demonstrations against local Roma took place. Mayor Marín was integral to the organisation of the demonstration and himself took part in it (background information is available at: http://www.errc.org/cikk.php?cikk=2344).

Mayor Marín was charged in accordance with Article 514(1) of the Spanish Penal Code for organising an illegal demonstration with the purpose of committing a crime or that are attended by people armed and to those that organise demonstrations previously suspended or prohibited. The decree specifies that Mayor Marín was accused on the basis of his acknowledgement of his partial role in the call for the demonstration, the organisation and participation in the demonstration, as well as the lack of measures to prevent the demonstration from becoming violent.

The remaining fifteen persons were reportedly charged with inciting discrimination, hatred or violence against groups or associations for racist motives, religion or beliefs, family situation or for belonging to an ethnic or racial group.

(ERRC, El Pais)