Observing Memories Issue 4 | Page 51

The historian and Spain ’ s State Secretary for Democratic Memory , Fernando Martínez I Secretariat of State .
1
1 . This is the first time Spain has had a Secretariat of State for Democratic Memory . What are the challenges that lie ahead ? What resources and tools will it have ?
Indeed , the creation first of a Directorate-General for Historical Memory and then of a Secretariat of State for Democratic Memory , which falls under the Ministry of the Presidency , Relations with the Cortes and Democratic Memory , represents a clear commitment from Pedro Sánchez ’ s government to protect , disseminate and raise awareness of the processes to build a democratic memory of Spain ’ s recent past and to recognize those who suffered persecution and violence as a consequence of the Civil War and Franco ’ s dictatorship .
The main challenge lies in decisively strengthening our country ’ s democratic memory policies , in line with transnational human rights narratives and practices . In this context , it is first essential to ensure that commemorative processes in Spain become an inescapable part of a common European memory . On a broader level , we must also develop close interfaces with similar processes in Latin America , which can also teach us a great deal . Similarly , at state level , it is vital that national policies be harmonized and coordinated with those being developed by the autonomous communities .
Obviously , each remembrance process has its own unique characteristics , and it is essential not to confuse or mix concepts ; however , the globalization of memory can be used as a tool for truth , justice and reparation to establish parallels and affinities and thus enrich our analysis of each process .
With respect to resources , we are currently awaiting budget approval , but the incorporation of this Secretariat of State into the Deputy Prime Minister ’ s Office will make a difference to the budget allocation .
The draft bill of the Democratic Memory Act , which was approved by the government on 15 September , is intended to serve as a key tool and a guide for fostering democratic memory policy and
EUROPE INSIGHT
49