17 July 2006

MADRID — On the eve of Tuesday's anniversary of the start of the Civil War, the government is to introduce a law to give 'justice' to Franco's victims.

The controversial Law of Historical Memory bill will be presented this week after two years of consultations.

The Spanish daily El Pais reported it will clear the names of victims and 'correct' historical archives of trials which led to the deaths of an estimated 55,000 people between 1939 and 1975, when Franco died.

The victims included Republicans, communists, and dissidents.

It will also provide compensation to those who were victims of the regime.

Last week, the government gave EUR 3 million to victims'  associations.

But the socialist government is also expected to avoid a confrontation with the conservative opposition Popular Party, which opposes 'revising the past'.

Tuesday 18 July is the 70th anniversary of the start of the Spanish Civil War.

The new bill is expected to be approved by the cabinet on Friday.

[Copyright EFE with Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news