During a tribute ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the assassination of Francisco Tomás y Valiente, held at the Autonomous University of Madrid, King Felipe VI called attention to the enduring legacy of terrorism in Spain. He expressed disbelief that, even today, some individuals continue to justify acts of terrorism and fail to condemn it. Tomás y Valiente, a respected jurist and one of the King's former professors, was murdered by the Basque terrorist group ETA in 1996, an event that profoundly impacted Spanish society, highlighting the ongoing struggle against political violence.

Felipe VI spoke about the importance of memory, articulating that remembering past events, particularly traumatic ones like political violence, should not be viewed as an act of revenge, but rather as a civic duty owed to the victims and society. His remarks come at a time when discussions about ETA and its legacy continue to influence Spanish politics and social dialogue. The tribute underlines the importance of acknowledging history to prevent the romanticization or justification of violence in contemporary discourse.

This event not only pays homage to a significant legal scholar but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing relevance of discussions around terrorism and civic responsibility in Spain today. The King's acknowledgment of his personal connection to Tomás y Valiente enhances the moral underpinning of his statements, as he calls for a collective condemnation of terrorism and fosters an environment of reflection on the societal impacts of such violence.