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Judge Garzón is far from perfect, but the decision by the Spanish Supreme Court to remove him from the bench is enormously damaging to the prospects of fair and impartial justice. What investigating magistrate would not now hesitate before pursuing politically sensitive cases? Will the Franco-era crimes that scarred Spain for two generations remain forever uninvestigated?
Judge Garzón cannot appeal in the Spanish court system. But he can challenge this decision in Spain’s Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. We hope he does. As this week’s miscarriage of justice plainly demonstrates, Spain still needs his help in keeping its judiciary fearless and independent.
— A chilling verdict in Spain , New York Times Editorial
