Spain advances reform to restrict popular accusation rights

A reform regarding the ‘popular accusation’ mechanism is advancing through the Spanish Congress, aiming to restrict who can report crimes without being the direct victim. The government argues the current model allows for ‘abusive or spurious’ use of the legal system, seeking to align Spanish law with other European standards.

Currently, any citizen or association can participate in criminal proceedings even if they are not the victim. The proposed reform seeks to tighten these requirements, potentially requiring parties to prove a direct interest in the case. This change would impact organizations such as Hazte Oír and its international branch, CitizenGo, which have utilized this legal tool extensively.

Data indicates that Hazte Oír and CitizenGo generated over 66.4 million euros between 2014 and 2025. While supporters of the reform aim to prevent misuse, defenders warn that restricting the mechanism could weaken legal actions involving matters of general public interest.