Family members of Aurora Picornell have pressed criminal charges against Gabriel Le Senne, the speaker of the Balearic Parliament, accusing him of hate crimes after an act targeting a historic symbol associated with the Franco era in Mallorca. The advocacy group Memoria de Mallorca, together with Picornell’s relatives and the sisters Antònia and Maria Pascual who are part of Les Roges del Molinar, claim that Le Senne forcibly ripped out, tore apart, and knocked to the floor a display showing a photograph of Aurora Picornell alongside the Pascual sisters. The photo, shown on a member’s computer in the parliamentary chamber, was described as an aggressive and violent act by Le Senne. This event has sparked accusations that the act disrespected three women who suffered serious human rights violations, were murdered, and remained missing for years, profoundly wounding their families and offending the very citizens Le Senne is charged with representing. Consequently, the complainants regard the incident as a hate crime under current law and have moved to become parties in the case.
In response to these developments, the association Memoria de Mallorca emphasizes solidarity with the victims of the coup and the Franco era and reiterates a commitment to the core human rights principles of Truth, Justice, Reparation, Guarantees of Non-Repetition, and Memory. This stance reflects a broader dedication to acknowledging historical crimes and ensuring that their victims are not forgotten, while urging society to confront past abuses openly and responsibly.
Formentera’s People Party Calls for Le Senne’s Resignation
Meanwhile, the People’s Party in Formentera has taken a firmer position than some fellow party members, calling for the immediate resignation of the Parliament’s president, Gabriel Le Senne. The PP supports a motion presented by the Socialist Party and approved unanimously that condemns the violence witnessed in the Balearic Parliament and demands accountability for the impact of the incident. The motion paints Le Senne’s actions as violent conduct in a legislative setting and asserts the need for leadership that upholds the dignity of the chamber and the rights of all participants. The resolution underscores the seriousness with which lawmakers view acts that demean victims and undermine democratic norms, signaling a clear push for accountability from party allies and opponents alike.