Spain debates Franco reparations

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The Spanish parliament is debating and voting for the first time on a law that would grant reparations to victims of dictator General Francisco Franco.

Gen Franco came to power after victory in the civil war in 1939 and went on to rule Spain for 36 years.

Tens of thousands of people were imprisoned or killed under his rule.

Spain is fiercely divided over the merits of the legislation, with one party, the Conservative Popular Party, wanting it withdrawn.

One-off payments

The Law for the Historical Memory would grant financial compensation to victims of the former dictator, who died in 1975.

Thousands of people, including the families of former political prisoners, could receive one-off payments or pensions.

The legislation also calls on local authorities to assist people searching for the missing bodies of family members executed by the regime.

The bill would also bring changes to Franco's memorial

An estimated 30,000 people murdered by the dictatorship still lie in mass graves around the country.

The bill calls for changes to another Franco legacy, his burial chamber: The Valley of the Fallen. Memorials at the site will be converted to reflect both sides who fought in the Civil War.

But much of the law is symbolic. Victims of the Franco regime or their relatives will be able to request a public declaration from the authorities recognising the injustice they suffered.

'Reopens wounds'

The government maintains that this legislation is not about rewriting history, or making people responsible for the crimes of the past.

But the Conservative Popular Party wants the law withdrawn and argues that it reopens old wounds that have already healed.

Other opposition groups say the law does not go far enough. The United Left Party wants sentences passed by the Franco regime - especially those condemning political prisoners - annulled.

The moderate Basque nationalists want those who committed crimes during the dictatorship named.

Spaniards are as divided as their politicians. Many regard a re-examination of the Franco years as very important but there are grave doubts over whether passing legislation is the best way to go about it.

The Law for the Historical Memory is likely to disappoint many people on the left and anger an equal number on the right.