Association for the Advancement of Civil Rights
Encyclopedia
The Association for the Advancement of Civil Rights (AACR) is a now defunct political party
in Gibraltar
.
Like all Gibraltar political parties, it opposed transfer of sovereignty
over Gibraltar from the United Kingdom
to Spain
. As the name of the group implied, it was in favour of greater civil rights
for Gibraltarians
, removing many of the political disabilities inherent in any territory with colonial
status.
The AACR was the first political party created in Gibraltar. It dates back to the Second World War, when most of the Gibraltar population had been evacuated
and only a small number of Gibraltarians remained on The Rock
. At the same time, the colony was crowded with British soldiers, sailors and airmen. In September 1942, a group of fellow Gibraltarians, clerks and workers, led by Albert Risso
came together to form an association advocating the civil rights of the local inhabitants of Gibraltar. They asked a young lawyer who was then serving in the Gibraltar Defence Force, Joshua Hassan
, to join them. Initially named "The Gibraltarian Association", upon Hassan's advice, the group took a much more ambitious name: "The Association for the Advancement of Civil Rights in Gibraltar".
They received wide support from the Governor
, General Mason-MacFarlane
(later a Labour MP in the United Kingdom), who allowed them to fulfill the representative role that the Committee of the Exchange and the Commercial Library used to fill. The Governor also left the AACR with the responsibility of managing the leave scheme that allowed the Gibraltarians who remained on the Rock to visit their families in Britain. They also took a leading role in the repatriation of the Gibraltarian evacuees.
Under the leadership of Joshua Hassan
, the AACR remained the dominant political party in local politics for over forty years. In August 1945, the first City Council elections since the war were held. The AACR won all the electoral seats in the Council and thus Joshua Hassan became the chairman of the Council. The AACR won all the elections held in Gibraltar
from 1945 to 1984 (except the 1972 elections). However, Hassan resigned without completing his term as Chief Minister in 1987 after an agreement on the shared use of Gibraltar Airport
was signed by Spain
and the United Kingdom, citing personal reasons. He was succeeded by the then Deputy Chief Minister, Adolfo Canepa
. However, Canepa lost the 1988 election to Joe Bossano
of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party
(GSLP), taking only seven seats and forming the opposition in 1988. In 1992 they failed to return and were effectively dissolved thereafter. The last election with an AACR candidate was the 1998 by-election following the death of Robert Mor of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party
(GSLP). Candidate John Piris received only 337 votes and was defeated by Dr Joseph Garcia
of the Gibraltar Liberal Party
(GLP), backed by the GSLP.
, the last AACR Chief Minister
to hold office, in John Mackintosh Square
on the 59th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
.
Like all Gibraltar political parties, it opposed transfer of sovereignty
Sovereignty
Sovereignty is the quality of having supreme, independent authority over a geographic area, such as a territory. It can be found in a power to rule and make law that rests on a political fact for which no purely legal explanation can be provided...
over Gibraltar from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. As the name of the group implied, it was in favour of greater civil rights
Civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
for Gibraltarians
Gibraltarian people
The Gibraltarians are a cultural group native to Gibraltar, a British overseas territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance to the Mediterranean sea.- Origins :...
, removing many of the political disabilities inherent in any territory with colonial
Colony
In politics and history, a colony is a territory under the immediate political control of a state. For colonies in antiquity, city-states would often found their own colonies. Some colonies were historically countries, while others were territories without definite statehood from their inception....
status.
The AACR was the first political party created in Gibraltar. It dates back to the Second World War, when most of the Gibraltar population had been evacuated
Military history of Gibraltar during World War II
The military history of Gibraltar during World War II exemplifies Gibraltar's position as a British fortress since the early 18th century and as a vital factor in British military strategy, both as a foothold on the continent of Europe, and as a bastion of British sea power...
and only a small number of Gibraltarians remained on The Rock
Rock of Gibraltar
The Rock of Gibraltar is a monolithic limestone promontory located in Gibraltar, off the southwestern tip of Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. It is high...
. At the same time, the colony was crowded with British soldiers, sailors and airmen. In September 1942, a group of fellow Gibraltarians, clerks and workers, led by Albert Risso
Albert Risso
Albert J. Risso, GMH was a Gibraltarian trade unionist and politician. He was the first president of the Association for the Advancement of Civil Rights in Gibraltar.-Career:...
came together to form an association advocating the civil rights of the local inhabitants of Gibraltar. They asked a young lawyer who was then serving in the Gibraltar Defence Force, Joshua Hassan
Joshua Hassan
Sir Joshua Abraham Hassan, GBE, KCMG, LVO, QC , nicknamed "Salvador" , was a Gibraltarian politician, and first Mayor and Chief Minister of Gibraltar, serving two terms as Chief Minister for a total of 17 years...
, to join them. Initially named "The Gibraltarian Association", upon Hassan's advice, the group took a much more ambitious name: "The Association for the Advancement of Civil Rights in Gibraltar".
They received wide support from the Governor
Governor of Gibraltar
The Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Gibraltar is the representative of the British monarch in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. The Governor is appointed by the British Monarch on the advice of the British Government...
, General Mason-MacFarlane
Noel Mason-Macfarlane
Lieutenant General Sir Frank Noel Mason-Macfarlane, KCB, DSO, MC was a British soldier, administrator and politician who served as Governor of Gibraltar during World War II.-Military career:...
(later a Labour MP in the United Kingdom), who allowed them to fulfill the representative role that the Committee of the Exchange and the Commercial Library used to fill. The Governor also left the AACR with the responsibility of managing the leave scheme that allowed the Gibraltarians who remained on the Rock to visit their families in Britain. They also took a leading role in the repatriation of the Gibraltarian evacuees.
Joshua Hassan
Sir Joshua Abraham Hassan, GBE, KCMG, LVO, QC , nicknamed "Salvador" , was a Gibraltarian politician, and first Mayor and Chief Minister of Gibraltar, serving two terms as Chief Minister for a total of 17 years...
, the AACR remained the dominant political party in local politics for over forty years. In August 1945, the first City Council elections since the war were held. The AACR won all the electoral seats in the Council and thus Joshua Hassan became the chairman of the Council. The AACR won all the elections held in Gibraltar
Elections in Gibraltar
Elections in Gibraltar gives information on election and election results in Gibraltar.Gibraltar elects on national level a legislature. The Gibraltar Parliament has 17 members, all elected for a four year term in one constituency with each voter getting to vote for their selection of eight...
from 1945 to 1984 (except the 1972 elections). However, Hassan resigned without completing his term as Chief Minister in 1987 after an agreement on the shared use of Gibraltar Airport
Gibraltar Airport
Gibraltar Airport or North Front Airport is the civilian airport that serves the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. It is owned by the Ministry of Defence for use by the Royal Air Force as RAF Gibraltar. Civilian operators use the airport; currently the only scheduled flights operate to the...
was signed by Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and the United Kingdom, citing personal reasons. He was succeeded by the then Deputy Chief Minister, Adolfo Canepa
Adolfo Canepa
Adolfo John Canepa was a Gibraltarian politician. He has dedicated most of his life to politics and the development of Gibraltar, having served both as Leader of the Opposition and as Chief Minister of Gibraltar from 8 December 1987 to 25 March 1988...
. However, Canepa lost the 1988 election to Joe Bossano
Joe Bossano
Joseph "Joe" John Bossano is a Gibraltarian politician, and the former leader of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party. He was Chief Minister of Gibraltar from 25 March 1988 to 17 May 1996. He served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Gibraltar Parliament from its founding in 1978 until April...
of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party
Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party
The Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party is the oldest surviving active political party in Gibraltar. Its grass roots are deep in the Trade Union Movement, as its founder and former leader Joe Bossano was the District Officer of the Transport and General Workers Union...
(GSLP), taking only seven seats and forming the opposition in 1988. In 1992 they failed to return and were effectively dissolved thereafter. The last election with an AACR candidate was the 1998 by-election following the death of Robert Mor of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party
Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party
The Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party is the oldest surviving active political party in Gibraltar. Its grass roots are deep in the Trade Union Movement, as its founder and former leader Joe Bossano was the District Officer of the Transport and General Workers Union...
(GSLP). Candidate John Piris received only 337 votes and was defeated by Dr Joseph Garcia
Joseph Garcia
The Hon. Dr. Joseph Garcia MP, PhD is a Gibraltarian historian and politician, and the current leader of the Gibraltar Liberal Party, part of the official opposition in the current Government of Gibraltar, controlling two of the fifteen seats in the Gibraltar Parliament...
of the Gibraltar Liberal Party
Gibraltar Liberal Party
The Gibraltar Liberal Party is a political party in Gibraltar. The party was founded in 1991 as Gibraltar National Party and is led by Dr...
(GLP), backed by the GSLP.
Gibraltar Award
On 10 December 2007 the Self Determination for Gibraltar Group awarded the founding fathers of the AACR with the Gibraltar Award in recognition of their contribution to the political development, democratisation and emancipation of Gibraltar. The award was presented to Adolfo CanepaAdolfo Canepa
Adolfo John Canepa was a Gibraltarian politician. He has dedicated most of his life to politics and the development of Gibraltar, having served both as Leader of the Opposition and as Chief Minister of Gibraltar from 8 December 1987 to 25 March 1988...
, the last AACR Chief Minister
Chief Minister of Gibraltar
The Chief Minister of Gibraltar is the leader of the largest party elected to the Gibraltar Parliament, and is formally appointed by the Governor of Gibraltar, representative of the British Crown.-List of Chief Ministers:...
to hold office, in John Mackintosh Square
John Mackintosh Square
John Mackintosh Square is a main square in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. It has been the centre of city life since the 14th century and takes its name from John Mackintosh, a local philanthropist...
on the 59th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly . The Declaration arose directly from the experience of the Second World War and represents the first global expression of rights to which all human beings are inherently entitled...
.