A new international report, in this case from the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, has embarrassed the Spanish government which, as if it has nothing to do with it, doesn't stop collecting reprimand after reprimand. As on the previous occasions, questions are raised of the interpretation they make of the liberty of assembly and protest and the excessive use of force by police against peaceful protesters.
Mijatović's report could not be blunter when it comes to highlighting that a peaceful demonstration cannot be, in principle, subject to the threat of penal sanctions. The loss of rights and freedoms in Spain during the Partido Popular years was seen to increase with the rise of the independence movement in Catalonia and the 1st October referendum. The arrival of Pedro Sánchez to the Moncloa government palace didn't mean the end of the repression; his interior minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, would maintain the line taken by his predecessor, Juan Ignacio Zoido.
Although it's known, because ERC leaders have said so, that the end of the repression against the independence movement forms part of the portfolio they are negotiating with PSOE for the investiture of Sánchez, it's good to remember that the accumulation of disrepute for the Spanish executive on this subject is something which makes no difference to the Spanish deep state.
And so, the Spanish government is stoically bearing international criticism for the lack of liberties. And it's some time since it decided to not blush over the matter. The unity of Spain, first.