MIGRANTS LIVES| Betrayal and Hate: Where Does the Penal Code Draw the Line?

Hello, how are you? Welcome to this podcast, from the Canary Islands to the world.

In this episode, I delve into the lives of those who defy distance, language, and fear. Migrants who left behind the familiar to embrace the unknown. You'll hear stories of everyday courage, of human beings reinventing their world, of young people transforming rejection into strength. Because migrating isn't just about moving: it's about rebuilding.

When unexpected events like those in Venezuela occur, I usually wait days before posting. Let it be known that I abhor any dictatorship, from either side.

We often think that freedom is absolute, but our Penal Code establishes clear limits to protect two fundamental pillars: the survival of the State and the dignity of individuals. Today we analyze two articles that, although they may seem unrelated, define what Spanish society considers intolerable.

Article 581 of the Penal Code states that "Any Spaniard who incites a foreign power to declare war on Spain or conspires with it for the same purpose shall be punished with a prison sentence of fifteen to twenty years."

Article 510 of the Spanish Penal Code is the fundamental provision that regulates so-called hate crimes. It punishes conduct that incites violence, hatred, or discrimination against groups or individuals for specific reasons (racism, religion, sexual orientation, illness, etc.).

Here is a structured summary of its content and current penalties:

1. Punishable Conduct (Types of Crime)

The article is mainly divided into two sections according to the severity of the action:

A. Incitement and Promotion of Violence (Art. 510.1)

These are the most serious offenses and carry penalties of 1 to 4 years in prison and a fine of 6 to 12 months:

• Directly promoting or inciting hatred, hostility, discrimination, or violence against a group or person because of their membership in a protected group.

• Production or dissemination of material (writings, videos, etc.) whose content is suitable for promoting such hatred or violence.

• Denial or glorification of genocide: Publicly denying, trivializing, or glorifying crimes of genocide or crimes against humanity when this promotes a climate of violence or hatred.

To all this, we must add the many Venezuelans living in Spain, in the wealthy neighborhoods of Madrid, who were allowed to leave their country for humanitarian reasons and who dedicate themselves to insulting the president who welcomed them.

Thank you for joining me on this journey of humanity and resilience. If this story resonated with you, please share it. And if you have a story to tell, write to me. Until the next episode!

Patricia López Muñoz

Student of English Studies

Higher Technician in Sociocultural Animation

Specialist in Immigration

Higher Technician in Social Integration