Paquita Sauquillo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paquita Sauquillo
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April 2010
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| Member of the European Parliament | |
| In office 1994–2004 |
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| Constituency | Spain |
| Deputy of the Assembly of Madrid | |
| In office 1983–1994 |
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| Senator of the Cortes Generales | |
| In office 1983–1994 |
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| Constituency | by designation of the Assembly of Madrid |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Francisca Sauquillo Pérez del Arco
31 July 1943 Madrid, Spain |
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| Spouse | Jacobo Echeverría-Torres Tovar |
| Relatives | Francisco Javier Sauquillo (brother) |
| Alma mater | Complutense University of Madrid |
| Occupation | Lawyer, politician |
| Awards | Great Cross of the Civil Order of Social Solidarity (2010) |
Francisca "Paquita" Sauquillo Pérez del Arco (born 31 July 1943) is a Spanish lawyer and politician. She is known for working to protect human rights and for helping people during a time when Spain was not a democracy. She has been a representative in the Assembly of Madrid (1983–1994), a Senator (1983–1994), and a member of the European Parliament (1994–2004). Since 1985, she has led an organization called the Movement for Peace, Disarmament, and Freedom (MPDL). This group works for peace and human rights. Since May 2016, she has also been in charge of the Historical Memory Commission for the City Council of Madrid.
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About Paquita Sauquillo
Paquita Sauquillo was born in Madrid, Spain, on July 31, 1943. She was the oldest child of José Luis Sauquillo and Deseada Pérez del Arco. She had two younger brothers, José Luis and Javier. Javier also became a lawyer. He passed away on January 24, 1977, during a difficult time for lawyers in Madrid. Paquita was meeting with other lawyers, José María Mohedano and Manuela Carmena, at a different place that night.
In the late 1960s, Paquita became involved with Christian groups. From 1965, she worked with a group led by Father Llanos in a neighborhood called El Pozo del Tío Raimundo. She was a lawyer who helped workers and was active in starting the first neighborhood groups in Entrevías.
Paquita's Work as a Lawyer
Paquita Sauquillo has been a lawyer since 1966. She worked on many important cases in Spain's courts. In 1970, she started one of the first law firms in Madrid that focused on workers' rights. It was known as the "Despacho de Lista." There, she defended workers from large factories like Pegaso and Marconi. She also helped students, workers, and politicians who were facing legal issues during a time when it was hard to speak freely. She defended people's basic rights in court.
After Spain became a democracy, she also worked on civil and family cases. She wrote one of the first books about divorce law. Starting in 1981, she helped and defended more than 3,000 people who became sick from contaminated cooking oil. She attended all the court hearings for these cases. The court's decision in these cases helped set new rules for crimes against public health.
Paquita's Political Journey
In the late 1960s, Paquita Sauquillo joined a secret workers' union called Acción Sindical de Trabajadores (AST). This group later helped create the Workers' Revolutionary Organization (ORT) in 1969. She was a member of this group for fourteen years. In 1979, she ran for mayor of Madrid as the main candidate for a group called the Candidature of the Workers, but she did not win.
Later, she joined the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE). In 1983, she was elected as an independent candidate for the first elections to the Assembly of Madrid. She served as a representative in the Assembly for three terms. In 1987, she officially became a member of the PSOE.
Serving in Government
While she was a representative in the Madrid Assembly, Paquita was also chosen to be a Senator in 1983. She served in the Spanish Senate until 1994. As a senator, she was part of the Justice Commission and helped write important laws.
From 1994 to 2004, she was a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the PSOE. She resigned from her seats in the Madrid and Spanish legislatures when she was elected to the European Parliament. She was also part of the PSOE's main leadership committee from 1994 to 2000.
Since 1985, Paquita Sauquillo has been the president of the Movement for Peace, Disarmament, and Freedom. This organization works to promote peace and human rights around the world.
From 2005 to 2013, she led the Council of Consumers and Users of Spain. She is also a vice president of the Volunteering Platform of Spain and a member of the Platform of the Third Sector. These groups help people who volunteer and support social causes.
Since May 2016, Paquita Sauquillo has been in charge of the Historical Memory Commission for the City Council of Madrid. She was appointed to this role by Mayor Manuela Carmena. This commission works on issues related to Spain's past.
Paquita's Family Life
On July 16, 1969, Paquita Sauquillo married Jacobo Echeverría-Torres Tovar, who was also a lawyer and activist. They had two sons, Javier (born 1978) and Jacobo (born 1980).
In 1998, her son Javier, who had a health condition, became very ill while on the Madrid Metro. He was unable to move or speak. He was helped by some people at the station, but then he was asked to leave by security guards. The guards did not understand his condition. Javier remained outside the station for a long time before medical help was called. He later passed away at the Hospital de La Princesa. In 2002, a court ruled that the Metro's security chief and two guards did not provide proper assistance. The court ordered the Metro and the security company to pay compensation to the family.
Awards and Honors
Paquita Sauquillo has received many awards for her work and dedication:
- 1993: European Women's Award from the European Union of Federalists and Women of the European Movement.
- 2006: Silver Rose Award in Brussels.
- 2008: Spanish Citizens' Award.
- 2009: European Citizens' Prize.
- 2009: Medal of Honor from the Bar Association for her commitment to law.
- 2009: Lawyers of Atocha Award from the Regional Government of Castile-La Mancha.
- 2010: Great Cross of the Civil Order of Social Solidarity.
- 2015: Human Rights Award from the General Council of Spanish Law.
- 2016: 2nd Luis Cabrejas Freedom Award.
See also
In Spanish: Paquita Sauquillo para niños
