Removal of Francoist symbols from public places to be obligatory

The Eagle of Saint John is still flying over some spots in Catalonia. It was one of the top symbols of the Franco regime, alongside badges with the yoke and a set of arrows.

And 43 years after the Spanish dictator's death, it can still be found on façades and public buildings in various spots throughout the country.

The amount of Francoist symbols has been reduced over the years, but some still persist, including a monument in the Ebre river in Tortosa.

The Catalan justice minister, Ester Capella, announced on Wednesday that her department will put forward an historical memory law that will make the removal of Francoist symbols from public spaces obligatory.

"The new historical memory law will be a tool to heal wounds and finish with the mourning," said Capella in Parliament.

The legislation will enable the Catalan government to withdraw Francoist symbols in streets and squares, annul awards and change names of streets paying tribute to people related to dictatorships or crimes against humanity.

This, even if town halls oppose the decisions.

Truth Committee

The justice department is willing to create the law taking into account the view of the civic organizations working for the recovery of historical memory, but also with local governments and academics.

One of the highlights of this legislation will be the creation of a so-called Truth Committee.