We have over recent years seen substantial progress in terms of recognising, denouncing and condemning sexist violence, and most importantly of all, in our judgment, the presumption that the victim is telling the truth. We refer to such phenomena as “Me too” or “Sí te creo / Sinisten zaitut”, with both society and the courts recognising that the first step to be taken is to protect the complainant rather than question their account. It may be that some of these accounts are false, but in our opinion, questioning them is in itself one of the most painful acts on the road towards full restoration.
In the case of those who are tortured, though, society shows a very different attitude: "They must have been arrested for something! They must have done something!". Or the idea that complaining of torture is simply a strategy. That is something you often hear.
Up until now, in our creations Amaia and I have dedicated our efforts to denouncing torture, presenting the act itself. This time, though, we have focused on the right that comes before reparations and justice: recognition of the truth.
Amaia Merino & Ander Iriarte
Directors of Indarkeriaren oi(h)artzunak