Top 5 Facts About Human Rights Violations In Spain That Everyone Needs To Know

Last updated on September 21st, 2023 at 11:44 am

Spain – Human rights in Spain are set out in the 1978 Spanish constitution. The country is deeply committed to human rights. However, human rights violations take place in the country. So, what are the top 5 facts about human rights violations in Spain? Let’s discover!

Top 5 facts about human rights violations in Spain

Sexual and gender-based violence

Sexual and gender-based violence has increased in Spain in recent years. In 2021, 37 women died due to gender-based violence. Seven children were also killed by their fathers to punish their mothers.

18 women have been murdered in Spain in 2020 by partners or ex-partners. 43 women were killed by their partners in 2021. The number of women killed in gender violence assaults in Spain from 2003 to 2021 was 1118.

Sexual and reproductive rights

In Spain, voluntary abortion is allowed up until the 14th week of pregnancy. Earlier, abortion for girls between 16 and 18 years of age still required parental permission. However, in May 2022, Spain approved a draft bill that would remove the requirement for 16 and 17-year-old girls to have parental consent before terminating a pregnancy.

Gag law

Spain implemented a new public security law in 2015 dubbed the “gag law” for its crackdown on peaceful protests. Spain witnessed a record number of fines under the controversial Law. In 2021, tens of thousands of Spanish police officers and their supporters marched in Madrid to protest against government plans to reform this controversial security law.

‘Only Yes Means Yes’ law

Spain’s parliament approved a bill in May known as the ‘Only Yes Means Yes’ bill that makes consent a key determinant in sexual assault cases. The initiative was driven by the legal and social fallout from a gruesome gang rape case in 2016. Later on, the accused persons were only charged with sexual assault and not rape because of the silence of the victim.

Excessive use of force

Amnesty International claimed that unnecessary and excessive use of force by the security forces continued in Spain in 2021. In the same year, a woman lost her eye allegedly because of the impact of a foam bullet fired by the Catalan police during protests following the detention of the rapper Pablo Hasél.

These are the top 5 facts about human rights violations in Spain. What do you think about Spain’s human rights laws? Share your answer in the comment section below.