On May 8, it was announced that Iratxe Sorzabal had been acquitted by the Spanish National Court because the self-incrimination was "the result of ill-treatment". In this regard, the Network of Tortured People of the Basque Country has issued a statement in front of the courts in Larubante, San Sebastián.

Recognition of torture

The Network calls the National Court’s recognition of torture “good news.” "This court, which for decades has denied and allowed torture, has admitted for the first time that torture has been used against a Basque citizen." The ruling "confirms" what the defendants sell "for a long time," the network said.

The network highlights the sexist basis of the torture perpetrated against Sorzabal: "As an elf, the majority of women who have suffered torture have suffered sexual political torture at the hands of the Spanish State Security Forces." He gives examples of this sexist torture: "Incommunication, threats of sexual assault, nude interrogation, retouching, questioning of sexual orientation, rape, psychological torture, mockery and insults, or contempt suffered as a political activist."

During the San Sebastián apparition, it is stressed that it is "time to assume public responsibility" in the face of torture, because the application of torture has been "systematic" and "carried out and justified under the auspices of a whole structure". The focus is "Beyond the Security Forces of the Spanish State": "The application of torture has involved judges, forensic doctors, the media, various political forces..."

The network of tortured persons has made a specific request to the Basque Government. In order for the tortured to "be able to process applications for official recognition", it has requested the opening in time of Law 12/2016 of the Basque Country on Recognition and Reparation. In this way, both Sorlozabal and other "hundreds" of tortured people will be able to report their cases.

The absolution

The network insists that Sorzabal’s acquittal has been an event of “great importance” and that, going forward, it should be “a milestone in the path of the recognition and reparation of torture.” The National Court, which "annulled self-incrimination itself and all other elements contaminated by torture." However, Sorzabal is still in prison today.

The tortured have claimed that last week’s ruling has “put on the table” a reality that has been “covered” for decades. They remember those who have not been acquitted and those who have been self-inflicted under torture: "How many people have we been punished for decades, and how many are still in prison because of forced self-inflictions under torture? And how many of us would be acquitted if, as we did in this resolution, we were allowed to be tortured? ". It is alleged to be a double injustice because they have suffered "physical and psychological pain" from torture, and "some" have been sentenced to imprisonment as a result of torture.

The Network of Tortured People of the Basque Country calls on institutions, parties and human rights actors to "reflect on this and intervene in the search for solutions".