Catalan archives restitution criticized under Minister Ernest Urtasun

Critics have expressed disappointment regarding the actions of Minister Ernest Urtasun concerning the restitution of Catalan archives and documentation. Despite previous requests to complete the return of documents following the approval of the Statute and the Law of Papers, several files remain outstanding.

Specifically, the pending documentation includes records from Salamanca related to justice, public order, Catalan Freemasonry, and forty-seven Catalan municipalities. It also includes documentation from various departments of the Generalitat that were seized by the occupying army in 1939.

Critics argue that despite meetings and verbal assurances, no progress has been made. They contend that the excuses provided regarding the transfer of public order and justice documentation in 1937 are invalid, citing a 2007 ministerial expert report and a National Court ruling that support the interpretation of the Generalitat's temporary direction of public order during that period.