The right to Spanish passports is held by children or grandchildren of those who fled Spain in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. They will be able to submit corresponding applications in the near future. The new rule does not apply to more distant relatives.
Most descendants of victims of Francisco Franco's regime now live in Latin American countries: Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Venezuela, Mexico, and Cuba. Some have settled in France. According to BBC, in Argentina alone, about 300,000 people intend to obtain Spanish citizenship. All applicants can submit documents until 2011.
During the civil war (1936-39), about 500,000 people died in Spain. Another 100,000 went missing during Franco's rule. Many fled abroad to escape political persecution and economic hardship. The country's transition to democracy began only in 1975, after the death of the military ruler.
However, the Spanish decided not to dwell on the past and soon, in 1977, passed an Amnesty Law, under which the political crimes of General Franco and his henchmen were pardoned. Meanwhile, the UN Human Rights Commission recently asked the Spanish government to annul the Amnesty Law as inconsistent with international agreements.