AUGC and EUROMIL celebrate the official recognition and rehabilitation of former Civil Guards unjustly expelled in the 1990s for their defence of professional rights within the Guardia Civil.

14 November 2024 was a historic day that marked a transcendental milestone for AUGC and for those civil guards who, unjustly, were expelled in the 1990s for fighting for their rights and professional dignity. Among them was one of the founding members of AUGC, Sergeant José Morata, who, along with other brave men, tirelessly defended justice and the rights of the Civil Guards.

On that date, Organic Law 5/2024 of 11 November on the Right to Defence was published in BOE (the Official State Gazette). In its fourth additional provision, this law includes the longed-for and just ‘Rehabilitation of former civil guards’. This provision rehabilitates those who were sanctioned with expulsion from the Guardia Civil for participating in the promotion and defence of professional rights in a field other than the right to professional association before 31 October 2001.

This recognition represents much more than a correction of errors; it is an act of justice towards those who were marginalised for defending democratic values. It also signifies a qualitative step forward in our democracy, reaffirming the State’s commitment to equality, freedom and the fundamental rights of civil guards.

From AUGC and EUROMIL, we would like to express our immense gratitude to these brave civil guards who, despite losing everything, kept alive the hope that the right of representation in the Guardia Civil was possible. It has been years of constant work by AUGC to claim their reinstatement in the Corps, and now it is time to recognise all those who, with their effort and determination, have made this historic achievement a reality. Their sacrifice has not been in vain, their struggle is now a shared victory.

This great victory is testimony to AUGC’s perseverance, firmness and ability to defend its ideals. With our eyes set on the future, but without forgetting those who paved the way, we will continue to work together to build a fairer institution, where the rights and socio-labour conditions of civil guards continue to advance.

For all these reasons, AUGC in the recent meeting held with Mercedes González, Director General of the Civil Guard, has requested that once the reinstatement of the civil guards expelled 30 years ago is formalised, the Directorate General of the Civil Guard should carry out a well-deserved act of recognition for them and their struggle for the rights of civil guards, a request that we support from EUROMIL.