Council of Europe adviser backs Spanish amnesty law

The Venice Commission, a legal advisory body to the Council of Europe, is set to endorse a Spanish amnesty law, according to a draft opinion seen by Spanish media.

The legal adviser found that “national unity and social and political reconciliation are legitimate objectives,” and backed in principle the amnesty bill that would guarantee immunity to people prosecuted for their involvement with the pro-Catalan independence movement since 2012.

However, the Venice Commission warned against rushing the legislative process and encouraged Spanish authorities and civil society to take the necessary time to discuss it, given its sensitivity.

Spanish lawmakers are struggling to find common ground on the text.

Last November, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was able to form a government thanks to the support of former Catalonia president and separatist chief Carles Puigdemont. Puigdemont’s Junts party agreed to back the socialist leader in exchange for the amnesty legislation, which is being discussed at the Spanish parliament.

At a crucial vote last month, members of Puigdemont’s party blocked the bill, arguing the legislation didn’t fully protect separatists from prosecution for alleged terrorism-related crimes.

Earlier this week, Spain’s Supreme Court opened a terrorism investigation into Puigdemont over protests linked to the region’s failed 2017 independence referendum.

The Venice Commission provides legal advice to its 61 member countries on whether their legal and institutional structures are in line “with European standards and international experience in the fields of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.” The Council of Europe, which is not an EU institution, works to promote democracy and human rights.