Spain's 'Gag law' is a 'direct attack on any public display of dissent'

The European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee has discussed Spain's controversial Citizens' Security Law, colloquially known as the Gag Law.

The law restricts the right to demonstrate near the Spanish Congress, Senate and regional parliaments, which could lead to fines of up to €600,000, and also criminalises the blocking of home evictions and puts limits on what is allowed on social networks - one of the major channels for the social protest movement, among the other restrictions.

Citizens to fall foul of the new law so far include a woman who posted a picture on social media of police parking in a disabled spot – she is being prosecuted and faces a fine of up to €30,000.

In the debate, Catalan MEP, Josep-Maria Terricabras, said: "This law is a direct attack on any public display of dissent and undermines the fundamental principles of the EU".

Terricabras added that he hopes that, when possible, the Spanish Parliament will rescind this law. "This Law has been tremendously unpopular with the public in Spain and was only pushed through thanks to the Partido Popular's parliamentary majority" said Terricabras.

According to a survey by Metroscopia for Avaaz late last year, only 7% of citizens support the law.

The European Commission said that this is a matter that falls under the competences of the Member State.

According to Terricabras: "The mere fact that a law like this is being discussed in the European Parliament is already a severe criticism of Spanish government policy". The MEP added "This law is extremely dangerous and I want to emphasise that".

MEPs from 4 political groups (Greens/EFA, GUE/NGL, ALDE and S&D) are against this law.