Spain's Stolen Babies

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General Franciso Franco, leader of the right-wing, authoritarian regime in Spain from 1939 until his death in 1975, was a ruthless leader. Despite his political oppression and extensive killing of political opponents, the most shocking story that has come to light is the recent discovery of the trafficking and theft of thousands of babies by priests and nuns.

The story became greatly publicized after two men discovered they were bought from a nun when they were babies, by their father on his deathbed. Extremely hurt, the two men went to the media and the story has spread like wildfire. Suddenly people from all over Spain were coming forward with similar stories.

After months of no response from the Spanish government a spokesperson, Angel Nunez, was finally presented from the Ministry of Justice to discuss these horrific accusations. When asked about the validity of the story, if babies were really stolen, Nunez declared "without a doubt."

Lawyers and goverment officials estimate that up to 300,000 babies could have been taken and sold. The practice apprently first started under Franco in the 30's, with babies beeing removed from parents who were deemed "undesirable" and put with "approved" families. Reports put the practice as continuing all the way up until the early nineties.

With the scandal closely linked to that of the Catholic Church, nuns and priets would make lists of suitable, adoptive families, with doctors lying to mothers about the fate of their newborn children; they were told they their babies were dead with no information on why or where a funeral would be held. All the mothers were told was that their babies had been killed and immediately taken away.

Many across Spain have begun to dig up graves in order to conduct DNA tests, only to find a pile of stones or adult remains. Spaniards have begun to call for investigations to be set up to uncover the truth behind the baby trafficking, as they see it as a national crime against hummanity. However, due to Spain's amnesty laws after the death of Franco to help smooth a transition to Democracy, the government won't set up any type of inquiry.

While the Spanish governments policy is to not look back it is much more difficult for those mothers whose babies were stolen and sold, "It's not something you forget, it's with you for the rest of your life."

-Gabrielle