Balearic public prosecutor declines to back suit alleging Council breached basic rights

In response to accusations that the Formentera Council failed to uphold fundamental rights, the public prosecutor's office declared it was “of the opinion no rights were violated” and recommended the suit's dismissal.

In a written opinion sent to the judge assigned the case, the prosecutor states “there is no indication” the Formentera Council intended to prevent the plaintiff from participating in union activity. On the contrary, she wrote, such participation “apparently took place with no impediment”.

The prosecutor's letter followed a complaint made public November 5 by the Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT, or “General Union of Workers”). The related suit was ultimately filed not by the union, but by José Ramón Mateos Martín instead.

The Council's senior legal officials are keeping a prudent tack in light of the developments, not least since the prosecutor's position does not amount to resolution of the case. The suit is scheduled for hearing in October. The Council's staff of lawyers and specialists nevertheless applaud the prosecutor's understanding of the administration's effort to uphold the law.