A step towards historical justice
The Generalitat of Catalonia has taken an important step in the recovery of historical memory by incorporating nearly 70,000 new records related to the victims of judicial repression during Franco's regime. This new database, which includes 69,833 records, focuses on military judicial proceedings carried out between 1938 and 1978, and has been developed by the National Archive of Catalonia.
Since its initial publication in 2017, this database has become a fundamental tool for understanding the impact of the Francoist regime on Spanish society. The law of legal reparation, which declared political sentences issued during the dictatorship null and void, has made these documents accessible to the public, thus facilitating a deeper analysis of the injustices suffered by thousands of people.
The records include detailed information such as names and surnames, place of birth and residence, sex, type of judicial procedure (whether military council or preliminary proceedings), case number, key dates of the judicial process, and imposed sentences. This level of detail not only helps to identify the victims but also allows for a better understanding of the historical and social context in which these violations occurred.
A notable feature is the ability of this new database to connect with other resources from the Banc de la Memòria Democràtica. This includes databases such as the Human Cost of the Civil War and the Census of Catalan and Spanish deportees in Nazi camps. This interrelation opens new avenues for investigating the life trajectories of the repressed and delving into the repressive mechanisms of Francoism.
With this significant addition, the resources available for researchers and citizens interested in studying this dark chapter of Spanish history are expanded. The Department of Justice and Democratic Quality has highlighted that this effort is “an important step” towards a greater understanding of the country's recent past.
As this collective memory is preserved, it is hoped that more people will be able to access their family stories related to this historical period. Public availability not only seeks to honour the victims but also to educate future generations about the dangers of authoritarianism.
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