The trivialization of Nazism

The Spanish democratic culture has, as one of its weak points, a case of amnesia towards its recent past, marked by a dictatorship that sprang from fascism. The so-called pact of forgetfulness of the Transition did help to facilitate a smooth transition to democracy, but on the other hand, it led to a whitewashing of Franco-ism. This explains, in good measure, the persistence of a culture of intolerance of diversity in Spain’s society.

The common outbursts regarding Catalonia are a sad, recurrent example. Yesterday, on the anniversary of the execution of President Lluís Companys by firing squad, the ex-spokesman of the Aznar government, Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, dared to say that “Mas could use a firing squad”. Paradoxically, from a lack of comprehension that is too reminiscent of Franco-ist rhetoric, threatening insults in bad taste like this one often go hand-in-hand with an intolerable comparison of support for independence with Nazism.

It is intolerable for two reasons: because it trivializes Nazi barbarism, and because it denies the profoundly democratic and peaceful character of the independence movement. The impunity with which this type of link has been repeated for years in the media and social networks would be incomprehensible in any other European country. But in Spain, where the long shadow on Franco-era intolerance can still be felt, there is a surprising tolerance of those who are quick to mention Hitler and his destructive ideology. In fact, Spanish legislation is very lax, and is an anomaly in Europe.

This week a conservative German MEP, Ingeborg Grássle (CDU), expressed her outrage at the comparisons between Nazism and Catalan sovereignty made by members of UPyD: “To trivialize Nazism is a disgrace for the victims. Any German politician would have to resign if they used this sort of language”. Therefore, the criminal complaint filed yesterday with the Prosecutor for Hate Crimes and Discrimination by sixty-five groups is an important step, and a necessary one for putting a stop to these types of abuses. The backers of this complaint have already said that if Spanish justice does not act, it will appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. This must be pursued to the limit.