Madrid (AP) — Spain’s Supreme Court has cast doubt on the constitutionality of an amnesty law designed to benefit Catalan separatists, referring the matter to the Constitutional Court for further review.
The amnesty law, passed in March, seeks to assist individuals facing legal issues related to the 2017 Catalan independence bid. While the Supreme Court does not have the authority to annul the amnesty, it has questioned its compliance with constitutional principles.
Key concerns include the amnesty’s potential violation of the principle of equality before the law. The Court argues that the law disproportionately pardons violent acts committed for Catalan independence while leaving similar acts by others subject to punishment. Additionally, the Court criticizes the law for potentially undermining legal certainty by encouraging unlawful behavior among political activists.
The Supreme Court also takes issue with the law’s aim to reconcile separatists and non-separatists, noting the lack of remorse from separatist leaders and labeling their actions as a “coup d'état.”
Political opponents argue that the amnesty was a strategic move by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to gain support from separatist parties crucial for forming a new government.
The amnesty is intended to be applied on a case-by-case basis, primarily benefiting civil servants and ordinary citizens, but also expected to aid former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, who has been living in Belgium to evade Spanish law.
As the Constitutional Court reviews the case, the future of the amnesty law and its impact on Spain's political landscape remain uncertain.
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