Wednesday, April 22, 2026 - A court in Madrid has ruled in favour of the Spanish Association of Victims of Jehovah's Witnesses in a legal dispute with Jehovah's Witnesses, upholding the right of former members to criticise the religious group within the bounds of freedom of expression.
The Provincial Court of Madrid confirmed an earlier
judgment, dismissing an appeal by the religious organization and ruling that
the association’s statements, including describing the group as a “destructive
sect”, are protected as part of public debate.
The ruling, issued on April 16, found no violation of the
right to honour and instead emphasized that freedom of expression and
information should prevail when matters of general interest, truthfulness, and
proportionality are met.
The court rejected multiple demands made by Jehovah’s
Witnesses, including requests to remove the association’s name, shut down its
website and social media platforms, dissolve the organization, and award
financial compensation.
In its reasoning, the court stated that the internal
practices of Jehovah’s Witnesses are a matter of public interest, given the
group’s established presence in Spain and ongoing media attention. It added
that this context allows for broader and even harsh criticism.
While acknowledging that some expressions used by former
members may be offensive, the court noted that the association had not promoted
or justified attacks against members of the religious group. It also
highlighted that many individuals involved are former members seeking to
rebuild relationships with family still within the organization.
The judgment further clarified that “truthfulness” in such
cases does not require absolute proof but rather a sufficient factual basis. It
found that testimonies from former members describing experiences such as
social isolation, internal pressure, and psychological impact were credible
enough to form part of public discourse.
Lawyer Carlos Bardavío, representing the association, said
the decision reinforces the importance of open discussion, stating: “It is
important that he recognizes the need to listen to the victims, to create a
public debate about what is happening within the Jehovah's Witnesses, because
this is a matter of public health and of general interest.”
In a statement, the association welcomed the ruling, saying
it “reaffirms the right of our association to use the denomination of
‘victims’” and supports its efforts to raise awareness about alleged harmful
practices.
However, representatives of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Spain
expressed concern over the outcome. They pointed to parts of the ruling that
acknowledged “illegitimate interference” with their right to honour, and said
they are considering further legal action.
They stated that the decision “is not final” and may be
appealed to the Supreme Court.
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