Spain’s anti-protest bill: An infringement on democracy

In recent years, millions of Spaniards have voiced their dissatisfaction with the right wing People’s Party government, protesting against crippling austerity measures and attempts to roll back the country’s abortion laws. Numerous protests have been launched against the government’s legislation, called the “gag law“ by critics, which attempts to limit protests by laying out strict guidelines on when and where they can take place, and penalizing offenders with steep fines.

Image Source: http://bit.ly/1C4kbQ8

The bill prohibits the filming of police officers (resulting in a €30,000 fine) or showing “lack of respect” to law enforcers (€600 fine). The Guardian reported that this new law allows fines of up to €30,000 for disseminating photographs of police officers that are deemed to endanger them or their operations. The law also permits the removal of Spanish immigrants who illegally crossed the border, without giving them the opportunity to apply for asylum.  This means Spanish authorities will be able to deport immigrants trying to cross the border into the Spanish North African enclaves in Ceuta and Melilla.

The government argues such a law will enforce and maintain public security and will protect citizens. “One of the obligations of the government is to guarantee the liberty and security of all of its citizens,” stated Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. 

There has been much backlash against this legislation, from both politicians and activists. The “gag law” has been viewed as a human rights violation, as it prevents the freedom of assembly and speech, as well as infringes on the rights of immigrants. Madrid-based activist and blogger Stéphane Grueso said, “It’s an attack on one of the pillars of our democracy.” Some opponents of the law are even saying it is a return to the Franco era, when Spain was under a dictatorship and suffered from severe human rights violations.

Image Source: http://bit.ly/1N0EwKZ

An essential aspect to a democracy is the right for the people to speak their minds: and this, of course, includes protesting against laws or leadership by the government. To protest is to remind those in the government that the very people it supposedly represents do not agree with its actions and refuse to watch silently as more problematic legislation is enacted.

Amnesty International reported that since the economic and financial crisis hit Spain, the loss of jobs, austerity measures and the perceived lack of transparency in decision-making have led thousands of people to take to the streets. To regulate such a fundamental right severely contradicts what a democracy stands for. Limiting the voice of the people who want to take a stand and speak out against the conservative-led Spanish parliament should be a guaranteed right when living in a democratic nation. The government should not be able to intervene and provide guidelines and specific measures of where and when and how one can speak out appropriately. Ultimately, by creating laws that restrict the freedom of expression, the Spanish government is only increasing the discontent between those in power and the Spanish people.