The decision to declassify archives related to the attempted military coup on February 23, 1981, has become one of the most talked-about events in Spain. For many citizens, this means an opportunity to learn details that have been inaccessible for decades. Opening access to these materials could influence how the country’s history is viewed and provide answers to longstanding questions that have long gone unexplained.
Declassification of documents
Today, the official state bulletin published a decree approved by the Council of Ministers, lifting the confidentiality stamp from materials related to the 23-F events. The document notes that enough time has passed for the release of this information not to pose a threat to national security. Starting at noon, anyone interested will be able to access 153 archival files on the La Moncloa website.
The government’s resolution emphasizes that declassification applies to any materials connected to the attempted coup, including documents, data, objects, and information. The initiative was proposed simultaneously by several ministries: Foreign Affairs, Justice, Defense, and the Interior. According to El Pais, this move was possible because more than forty years have passed since the events, and all those involved were sentenced by the Supreme Court of Spain back in 1983.
Causes and Consequences
Authorities explain that the release of the archives does not pose any risks to national security. Over the past decades, society has changed, and public interest in the details of those events has only grown. The new disclosures are expected to give historians and journalists fresh insight into the causes and progression of the coup attempt, as well as the role of various state institutions during those days.
The decision to declassify the documents has sparked considerable debate among politicians and experts. Some see this as a step toward greater government transparency, while others fear that publication could trigger new controversies in society. In a recent article focused on the political debates over the opening of the archives, it was noted that part of the opposition sees this move as an attempt to distract from other issues, while left-wing parties are demanding a review of the state secrets law. More about politicians’ reactions can be found in the report on the debates around the disclosure of the 23-F archives.
Details of the publication
According to the published decree, access to the archives will be available on the official government website. The document emphasizes that all restrictions are being removed from any information related to the coup attempt. This applies not only to written materials but also to other types of information previously inaccessible to the general public.
The text of the resolution specifically states that the decision was made based on a risk assessment and considering that the publication does not pose any threat to the country’s current security. This approach aligns with European standards of transparency and openness of government archives.
Context and Significance
The publication of archives on the attempted coup of February 23, 1981, could mark an important step in rethinking Spain’s recent history. Researchers and journalists are expected to uncover new details previously unknown to the general public. This development has already sparked lively discussions within society and among experts.
In recent years, Spain has increasingly debated the need to reconsider policies of secrecy regarding historical events. Similar decisions were made in other European countries, where archives were opened to the public decades after major events. In Spain, the declassification of documents on 23-F could set a precedent for further steps to open other historical archives related to the transition to democracy and pivotal moments in the country’s modern history.
