INTRODUCTION
REFORM ALLOWS TRANSFER OF MIGRANT MINORS FROM THE CANARY ISLANDS TO THE MAINLAND
On 18th March 2025, Spanish authorities approved a reform allowing the relocation of unaccompanied migrant minors from the Canary Islands to the mainland. This measure follows months of political deadlock between regional governments and the central administration and aims to ease the strain on the overcrowded migrant reception centres, particularly in the Canary Islands.
While the central government manages adult migrant cases, the care of unaccompanied minors falls under the jurisdiction of regional governments. After persistent appeals from local leaders citing insufficient resources to house the thousands of young migrants, the reform will enable the transfer of approximately 4,000 minors to mainland facilities. Regional authorities have welcomed the decision, emphasising its significance for upholding human rights and protecting the rights of children.
THE SPANISH SUPREME COURT RULES FOR THE CLOSURE OF THE RUSSIAN PLOT CASE AGAINST THE CATALAN INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT
On 13th March 2025, it was reported in Spanish and Catalan media that Spain’s Supreme Court had formally closed the investigation into alleged Russian interference in Catalonia's 2017 independence bid. The court dismissed the case, finding that Judge Joaquín Aguirre, who had pushed the probe, had acted irregularly and ignored orders from the Barcelona Provincial Court to end the proceedings.
The Barcelona court had already rejected Aguirre’s attempt to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court, criticising his actions as an “irregular manoeuvre” and accusing him of “de facto noncompliance” with judicial orders. Despite the Barcelona court’s clear instructions to dismiss the case, Aguirre had tried to indict former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont and continue proceedings.
The Supreme Court stated that Aguirre’s actions had rendered the case “ineffective” and confirmed that the only correct procedural step was a full dismissal of the charges, refusing to further examine the judge’s conduct.
This case formed part of a broader set of charges, including terrorism and misuse of public funds, which had been used to target figures in the Catalan independence movement. These charges followed the peaceful 2017 referendum, which the Spanish government violently suppressed, leading to years of sustained lawfare, as documented in multiple CIVICUS Monitor reports
ASSOCIATION
CHINESE ONLINE INFLUENCE OPERATION URGES SPANISH CITIZENS TO OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT IN THE AFTERMATH OF VALENCIA FLOODS
In January 2025, international media reported that a Chinese state influence network had been posing as Spanish human rights group Safeguard Defenders to call for the overthrow of the Spanish government following the deadly floods in Valencia, according to US-based intelligence firm Graphika. The disinformation campaign, part of Beijing’s so-called “spamouflage” operation, was aimed at discrediting Safeguard Defenders, which has criticised China's overseas policing activities.
ASSEMBLY
SPANISH GAG LAW MARKS 10 YEARS AS PROMISED REPEAL STALLS
Spain’s controversial “gag law”, criticised for restricting freedom of assembly and expression, marked its 10th anniversary on 26th March 2025, with only limited reforms introduced despite years of government promises to repeal it.
Passed by the conservative People's Party (PP) in 2015 following a wave of social protests, the law has been widely condemned by rights groups for enabling arbitrary policing and suppressing dissent. Over the past decade, it has generated more than €1.25 billion in fines.
Although the Socialist-led government pledged to repeal the law, political disagreements, particularly over the use of rubber bullets and fines for disobedience, have repeatedly stalled negotiations.
NEW LEGAL CHALLENGES FILED OVER POLICE INFILTRATION
On 14th January 2025, human rights group Irídia filed an appeal with Spain’s Constitutional Court, citing serious violations of fundamental rights linked to undercover policing operations in activist movements across Barcelona, Girona, València, and Madrid. As previously reported by the CIVICUS Monitor, activists have taken legal action to challenge the widespread practice of Spanish law enforcement agencies equipping police officers with false identities and resources to work undercover for extended periods - from two to six years - surveilling social movements and targeting activists without judicial authorisation.
Cèlia Carbonell, Civic Space Officer at Irídia, explained that the appeal challenges the courts’ refusal to investigate complaints against an undercover officer who infiltrated social movements in Barcelona. It also raises alarm over the use of emotional and sexual relationships by undercover agents, warning that such tactics undermine the freedoms of assembly and association, and breach international human rights standards, including the absolute prohibition of torture and other forms of inhuman or degrading treatment.
Since 2022, nine undercover officers have been exposed across Spain. The most recent case involved an agent embedded for two decades in Madrid’s “Madres contra la represión” movement. A new documentary, Infiltrats, has reignited public scrutiny of these operations.
THOUSANDS TAKE TO THE STREETS OF BARCELONA DEMANDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING
On 5th April 2025, thousands marched through the streets of Barcelona demanding the right to affordable housing and protesting high rental prices. Local police estimated a turnout of 12,000, while organisers claimed 100,000 participated. Similar protests took place in 40 other Spanish cities.
Protesters criticised the government’s inaction in curbing rent hikes, citing the lack of regulation on seasonal rentals as a key issue. This marks the second major demonstration, following one on 23rd November. According to the organisers, the Tenants’ Union, more than 4,000 organisations have expressed support for the cause.
WORKERS PROTEST TO DEMAND A SHORTER WORK WEEK
On 4th March 2025, thousands of workers marched in Barcelona demanding a reduction of the working week to 37.5 hours, asserting their right to peaceful protest.
Organised by the UGT and CCOO trade unions, the demonstration attracted between 7,000 and 12,000 participants, according to police and organisers. Union leaders urged political parties to back the proposal, linking the demand to Spain’s democratic and social legacy. They also pledged continued mobilisation as the proposal moves through parliament.
BIG PROTESTS ON WOMEN’S DAY ALL AROUND SPAIN
On International Women’s Day, 8th March 2025, 80,000 people according to organisers (and 25,000 according to the authorities) defied the rain and marched through Madrid. The demonstrators pointed to the alarming increase in sexist attitudes among young people and the decline in support for the values of gender equality. They also denounced the negative influence of social media.
In Barcelona, police estimated 25,000 participants in a protest demanding fair recognition and compensation for care work. Similar demonstrations took place in cities such as Girona, Tarragona, and Lleida, where chants like “care sustains life” echoed the call to recognise the essential yet undervalued role of care work.
Beyond care work, protesters addressed broader issues including economic inequality, environmental justice, labour rights, migration, public services, and feminist and climate justice.
A SERIES OF ANTI-MÁZON DEMONSTRATIONS IN VALENCIA DEMANDING RESIGNATION OF REGIONAL PRESIDENT MAZÓN
On 29th March 2025, approximately 25,000 people marched peacefully through València, demanding accountability for the government’s response to the deadly floods of 29th October 2024, which killed 228 people and left tens of thousands homeless.
The protest was triggered by a pact between regional president Carlos Mazón’s People’s Party and far-right groups to approve the regional budget, five months after the disaster. As previously reported by the CIVICUS Monitor, numerous protests were held following the floods calling for Mazón’s resignation over his handling of the crisis.
Unlike previous demonstrations, which saw attacks on City Hall and other government buildings, this march was heavily policed and concluded without incident. Victims’ families took to the stage demanding justice, while emergency service personnel described operating with inadequate resources and called for political accountability. The protest concluded with a reading of the victims’ names, a minute of silence, and the sounding of the emergency alert that was sent to mobile phones on 29th October. The crowd then chanted, “Mazón resign”.
LARGE REGIONAL PROTEST IN A CORUÑA AGAINST INDUSTRIAL POLICY PLANS
On 22nd March 2025, a large environmental protest took place in A Pobra do Caramiñal, a fishing village in A Coruña province, Galicia, opposing regional industrial policy and two major business projects in the Ulla River Basin.
Protesters condemned the planned macrocellulose plant by Portuguese company Altri and the reopening of the Touro copper mine. Both projects would consume large quantities of water—Altri’s factory alone would require up to 46 million litres per day. Demonstrators also criticised plans to discharge treated wastewater daily into the river, chanting slogans such as “water is not for sale”.
An estimated 50,000 people attended, including workers from the maritime, agricultural, and livestock sectors, environmental groups, and political parties, excluding the People’s Party (PP), which holds a majority in the Galician parliament.
In response, regional economy and industry minister María Jesús Lorenzana dismissed the protest as “21st-century communism” and criticised the involvement of politicians from the ruling Socialist Party (PSOE).
THOUSANDS GATHER IN BADAJOZ IN REMEMBRANCE OF SLAIN SOCIAL WORKER BELÉN CORTÉS FLOR
On 22nd March 2025, more than 1,000 people joined a silent march in Badajoz to honour Belén Cortés Flor, a social worker killed on 9th March 2025, allegedly by three minors under her supervision.
In addition to mourning her death, the demonstration demanded structural reforms to the social work system. Protesters called for greater recognition of the profession, new legislation, stronger political support, and increased investment in personal and technical resources to ensure safe working conditions. They also urged regional authorities to improve oversight of youth protection services.
PROTEST IN DEFENCE OF THE CATALAN LANGUAGE ON CATALONIA’S DAY OF LOVE
On 23rd April 2025, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Barcelona during the Sant Jordi festivities to defend the Catalan language.
Amid the traditional celebration, where people exchange books and roses, a grassroots protest took place at Plaça Universitat, organised by a new platform, Sant Jordi per la Llengua, supported by over 240 organisations.
Protesters carried roses and Catalan pro-independence flags. Organisers urged authorities to improve language integration for newcomers by expanding access to Catalan classes. Adrià Font, the platform’s spokesperson, stated the protest aimed to “channel the collective outrage over the decline in the use of the language” and the attacks it faces in Catalonia, València, Northern Catalonia, and the Balearic Islands.
Local police estimated 2,000 participants, while organisers claimed 15,000. A smaller demonstration also took place in Girona.
EXPRESSION
PROPOSED REPEAL OF A BLASPHEMY LAW COULD BOOST FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
In January 2025, Spain’s left-wing government proposed repealing a blasphemy law that imposes fines on those who mock religious beliefs.
The PSOE-led administration argued that the law is frequently exploited by far-right groups to target artists, activists, and elected officials. The proposed repeal follows a recent lawsuit against comedian Lalachus, who faced legal action after a New Year’s Eve television appearance in which she displayed an image of Jesus with the head of a cow. The case was brought by Abogados Cristianos, a Christian lawyers’ association.
Conservative opponents have criticised the move, framing it as an attempt to shield political figures from private prosecutions, particularly after right-wing activist group Manos Limpias (Clean Hands) filed a criminal complaint against Prime Minister Sánchez’s wife for allegedly using her position to influence business dealings.
CANAL SUR JOURNALISTS HARASSED IN CÁRTAMA
On 10th March 2025, Canal Sur journalist Javier Barón and cameraman Sergio Boj were harassed while reporting live in Cártama. They were covering heavy rains and flooding of the Guadalhorce River when a man approached, pushed Barón, and attempted to hit him. When Barón moved away, the assailant turned on Boj, damaging the camera equipment.
Local police intervened and a formal complaint was filed. The motive behind the attack remains unclear.