European Parliament
Izaskun Bilbao Barandica  (ALDE ).
(ES)
Mr President, between the 1960s and 1980s, thousands of babies were stolen in Spain. The motive was financial. Many mothers were given the tragic, false news that the son or daughter they had just given birth to had died. A death certificate was issued and a pretend burial was held, but in fact those babies were kidnapped and sold.
In the Basque Country alone there may be as many as 600 cases, leading to 200 legal investigations. So far three graves have been opened – they were all empty. These crimes could only have been committed by means of an official, organised plot.
Until just a few months ago, there was silence on this issue. All formal complaints were shelved. The group
SOS Bebés Robados
[‘SOS Stolen Babies’] is raising awareness of this problem. It is made up of victims who are looking for their sons and daughters, and demanding justice and compensation.
Those who are responsible for what took place committed a criminal offence and created thousands of personal tragedies that cannot be undone, because they affect parents, children and adoptive families.
That is why I would ask you to show involvement, support and sensitivity. If the European institutions keep a close watch over this obscure subject, it will help to fully bring the matter to light.

