Spanish victims group calls for terrorism designation at Canary Islands forum

Participants at the first terrorism and violent extremism forum held in Las Palmas called for the Polisario Front to be designated a terrorist organization over attacks attributed to the group against Spanish civilians in the 1970s and 1980s, organizers said.

The event was organized by a Spanish association representing victims of terrorism in partnership with the Official College of Psychology of Las Palmas. It brought together victims, academics, security officials and civil society representatives to discuss recognition, psychological support and access to justice.

Speakers said several victims of attacks attributed to the Polisario had already been formally recognized by Spanish authorities, but argued that others were still seeking legal recognition and compensation.

Miguel Solvera, a board member of the victims’ association, said the organization supports people affected by more than 30 groups that operated in Spain and provides recognized Polisario-linked victims with the same legal, psychological and social assistance offered to others.

He said excluding any category of victim would undermine the principle of equal treatment and called for unresolved cases to be examined through existing Spanish procedures.

Gilberto Pérez, the association’s representative in the Canary Islands, said the archipelago retained a particular historical connection to the attacks because several victims were Canarian residents or workers.

Participants argued that formal designation of the Polisario as a terrorist organization would strengthen victims’ legal claims and preserve the public record of the attacks.

The forum also called for greater international cooperation against violent extremism and stronger institutional support for victims, while stressing that any designation would ultimately require action by Spanish or European authorities.