Unfortunately, the report for 2016 confirms that there hasn't been any improvement in the protection of human rights and the state's compliance with international obligations.
On the contrary, this year the rise in the number of convictions handed down by the European Court of Human Rights with respect to previous years is especially notable.
These condemnations are due to violations of rights of a different nature, mostly prohibition of torture, freedom of expression and right to a fair trial.
The Court of Justice of the European Union has also issued two relevant judgments on fundamental rights: one on the right to a fair trial, and the other one related to the right to family life.
Criticism from all around
In addition, 2016 has also been marked by the strong report issued by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, highlighting the lack of important measures and policies to combat racism in Spain.
The Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights has called on the state to once again eradicate the summary deportations from Ceuta and Melilla and has criticized the lack of implementation of international standards on enforced disappearance of victims of the Civil War and Franquism.
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture has issued a report on the deportation flights operated with Frontex, which also highlights important shortcomings.
Finally, several European bodies have criticized the erosion of judicial independence in Spain.
