Vox Leaders Face Legal Action for Inciting Hatred Against Migrants in Spain

Comuns, a political group in Spain, has lodged a formal complaint with the Public Prosecutors Office against Vox leaders Santiago Abascal, Pepa Millán, and Carlos Hernández Quero. The complaint stems from their inflammatory statements that allegedly encourage hatred and discrimination against individuals of Maghrebi origin residing in Torre Pacheco, Murcia. Specific quotes included in the complaint suggest that these leaders have not only justified violence against young migrants but have actively called for the hunting of these individuals across Spain. Gerardo Pisarello, the spokesperson for Comuns and first secretary of the Congress Table, emphasized the severity of the allegations during an interview with Catalunya Ràdio. He pointed out that the remarks made by Vox members transcend the limits of free speech."Freedom of expression is one thing, but inciting violent acts against vulnerable groups based on their origin is entirely different," he stated. Pisarello condemned the rhetoric of Abascal and his party as a dangerous promotion of racial and social violence. He declared, "You cannot call for violent actions against people based on their social condition or ethnic background. This is not a matter that parliamentary immunity can protect." The Comuns complaint aims to ensure accountability and dismantle the notion that such statements could be dismissed as mere political rhetoric. Pisarello opined that the actions of these Vox leaders contradict fundamental principles of the rule of law. However, he also expressed skepticism regarding the potential illegalization of the Vox party, noting a historical bias against leftist and separatist parties when it comes to political illegality in Spain. The documentation presented by Comuns details several distressing statements made by Vox leaders. Abascal's comments included a troubling sentiment that suggested, "Better the tension than the peace of the cemeteries," implying that a confrontational stance against immigration justified possible violence. He also referenced crime and violence, suggesting that silence from Spaniards in the face of illegal immigration was unacceptable. Additionally, Millán's assertions that migrants bring "incompatible cultures" and are responsible for escalating violence highlight the inflammatory nature of the comments being scrutinized. Hernández Quero's tweet, which alarmingly accused migrant groups of heinous acts against the elderly, further emphasizes the dangerous implications these leaders' words may have. The repercussions of such statements extend beyond political discourse; they threaten the fabric of community cooperation and the security of marginalized groups. The Comuns group insists that these expressions equate to actionable hatred and seek to address this in the legal system. Ultimately, they call for a shift in accountability measures to ensure that calls for violence are taken seriously and systematically addressed, rather than left unchecked under the guise of political speech. As the case progresses, the implications of these statements by high-profile political figures will likely resonate throughout Spain, fueling ongoing debates about immigration, national identity, and the responsibilities of those in positions of power to uphold social harmony. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2