The sisters of Manuel José García Caparrós are hopeful that the Spanish Government will amend the law to recognize their brother as a victim of terrorism, following a recent denial of this status.
The sisters of Manuel José García Caparrós, who was killed by police during a pro-autonomy demonstration in Málaga in December 1977, are advocating for legislative reforms to officially recognize him as a terrorism victim. After two decades of their fight for acknowledgment, they expressed offense at a recent letter from the General Director of Support for Terrorism Victims, which denied their brother's victim status. This correspondence has been described by them as a 'letter of shame', reflecting what they see as a lack of empathy from the authorities towards the victims of political violence.
In their plea for recognition, the sisters highlight the longstanding neglect faced by victims of historical political violence, arguing that it is incomprehensible that no progress has been made in twenty years. They are now calling on the current president of the Junta of Andalucía to persuade the Popular Party (PP) to support their cause in Congress. Their activism is part of a broader context of victims and their families seeking justice and recognition for their hardships during a turbulent period in Spain's recent history, which remains contentious and emotionally charged.
This situation raises important questions about how societies acknowledge past injustices and the responsibilities of governments toward victims of political violence. The sisters' story is emblematic of the wider struggle for historical memory and justice in Spain, reflecting continuing tensions regarding autonomy, historical grievances, and the recognition of fallen citizens in the context of Spain's post-Franco democracy.
