 SPAIN  | |
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The 1978 constitution established Spain as a parliamentary monarchy, with the prime minister responsible to the bicameral Cortes (Congress of Deputies and Senate) elected every 4 years.
The 1978 constitution established Spain as a parliamentary monarchy with hereditary constitutional monarch as head of state. Power is centered in bicameral legislature--the Cortes (comprising lower house, Congress of Deputies, and upper house, Senate). Both houses are elected by universal suffrage every four years (unless parliament dissolved earlier by head of state), but 350-member Congress of Deputies uses proportional representation system, whereas Senate contains 208 members elected directly as well as 49 regional representatives. The Congress of Deputies wields greater legislative power. The leader of dominant political party in Cortes is designated as the Prime Minister and serves as head of government. Prime Minister, deputy prime minister, and cabinet ministers together make up Council of Ministers, highest national executive institution with both policy-making and administrative functions. [source: Library of Congress]
Law, Courts & Judgments
The judicial structure consists of local, provincial, regional, and national courts with the Supreme Court at its apex. The Constitutional Court has the authority to return a case to the court in which it was adjudicated if it can be determined that constitutional rights were violated during the course of the proceedings. The National High Court handles crimes such as terrorism and drug trafficking. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) is the final arbiter in cases concerning human rights. [source: US Department of State]
Human Rights
The Spanish Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens in 2003; although there were a few problems in some areas, the law and judiciary provide effective means of addressing individual instances of abuse. There were allegations that a few members of the security forces abused detainees and mistreated foreigners and illegal immigrants. According to Amnesty International (AI), government investigations of such alleged abuses often were lengthy and punishments were light. Lengthy pretrial detention and delays in trials were sometimes problems. Violence against women was a problem, which the Government took steps to address. Societal discrimination against Roma and immigrants remained a problem, as did occasional violence against immigrants. Trafficking in women and teenage girls for the purpose of prostitution was a problem, which the Government took steps to address. [source: US Department of State]
Legal Profession
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