Supreme Council of Military Justice

The Supreme Council of Military Justice (Spanish: Consejo Supremo de Justicia Militar, CSJM)[1] was a body of military justice that existed in Spain. Created during the Francoist regime, it recovered the functions of other historical bodies. Currently its functions are exercised by the Fifth Chamber of the Supreme Court.

Emblem of the Supreme Council of Military Justice

History

Background

Its origins date back to the time of the Hispanic Monarchy, when the Supreme Council of War [es] was an advisory body that was closely connected to the Council of State.[2] There is evidence of the existence of the Council of War since at least 1516. Over the following centuries it changed its name on numerous occasions, as did its powers over the Army and the Navy.^[citation needed]

Between 1834 and 1869 it was called the "Supreme Court of War and Navy". During the following years its structure changed, and the Royal Decree of 13 February 1878 named it the Supreme Council of War and Navy.[3] Its activity extended practically throughout the entire period of the Restoration. In 1931, after the proclamation of the Second Republic, it disappeared following the military reform of Manuel Azaña (Azaña Law), which transferred its functions and powers to the Sixth Chamber of the Supreme Court.[4] This measure caused enormous unrest among the Armed Forces, who considered it an intrusion of civil power into the military sphere.[5]

History of the body

Insignia of the Lt. Gen. President of the Supreme Council of Military Justice[a]

Following the outbreak of the Civil War, a Military Court of Justice was organised within the Nationalist faction, which in 1939 (with the establishment of the Francoist regime) would lead to the creation of the Supreme Council of Military Justice (CSJM). This new body, which was part of the Army Ministry,[7] recovered the powers of the former Supreme Council of War and Navy that had disappeared in 1931. It was chaired by Emilio Fernández Pérez.[8] The formation of the entity meant a return of the powers of military justice to the strictly military sphere. It was based in the Palace of Fontalba [es], on La Castellana in Madrid, which is now occupied by the Attorney General's office.

On 3 June 1982, the CSJM, chaired by Federico Gómez de Salazar,[9] issued a sentence against the military personnel who participated in the 1981 coup attempt (Case 2/81).[10]

By Organic Law 4/1987, of 15 July 1987, the CSJM disappeared and its functions were assumed by the Fifth Chamber of the Supreme Court.[11]

See also

• Spanish Armed Forces during the period of Francoism

Notes

1. As stipulated by the Royal Decree 1511/1977.[6]

References

1. Javier Tusell (2007). Spain: From Dictatorship to Democracy, 1939 to the Present, p. 338
2. (in Spanish) Julián Valero Torrijos (2002). Los órganos colegiados, INAP, pág. 110
3. (in Spanish) José Andrés-Gallego (1981). Historia General de España y América: Revolución y Restauración (1868-1931), pág. 65
4. (in Spanish) Manuel Ballbé (1983). Orden público y militarismo en la España constitucional (1812–1983), Madrid: Alianza Editorial, pp. 348–349
5. (in Spanish) Pascual Marzal Rodríguez (2005). Mastratura y república: El Tribunal supremo (1931–1939), pág. 308
6. "Real Decreto 1511/1977, de 21 de enero, por el que se aprueba el Reglamento de Banderas y Estandartes, Guiones, Insignias y Distintivos" (PDF). Boletín Oficial del Estado (in Spanish) (156). Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado: 14944. 1 July 1977. ISSN 0212-033X.
7. "LEY DE 22 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1939 reorganizando el Ministerio del Ejército" (PDF). Boletín Oficial del Estado (in Spanish) (274). Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado: 5485. 22 September 1939. ISSN 0212-033X.
8. "Death of Lieutenant General Emilio Fernandez Perez". ABC (in Spanish). Madrid. 20 December 1941. p. 13.
9. Aguilar, Miguel Ángel (28 January 2006). "Federico Gómez de Salazar, un general para dos ocasiones". El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 20 August 2020.
10. (in Spanish) María Luisa Cuerda Arnau (1995). Atenuación y remisión de la pena en los delitos de terrorismo, pág. 123
11. "Ley Orgánica 4/1987, de 15 de julio, de la competencia y organización de la Jurisdicción Militar". Boletín Oficial del Estado (in Spanish) (171). Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado: 22065. 18 July 1987. ISSN 0212-033X.