According to the affected patient, identified as Laia, doctor Javier Andrés Cifuentes allegedly conditioned medical attention on the use of Spanish, a situation the entity considers a serious violation of fundamental rights. The complaint also states that the doctor included non-medical and derogatory comments about the patient in the discharge report.
“"If you don't speak to me in Spanish, I will not attend to you."
Acció Cassandra, promoted by lawyers Lluís Gibert and Josep Rosell, argues that the doctor's conduct is not a mere incident but a possible commission of hate crimes based on language and discriminatory denial of healthcare services. The association emphasizes that the doctor's attitude led to humiliating and vexatious treatment at a moment of maximum vulnerability for the patient.
The entity has requested the opening of preliminary proceedings against doctor Cifuentes and Hospital Universitari Sagrat Cor to clarify the facts and determine responsibilities. It also asks for the complaint to be forwarded to the Special Prosecutor's Office for Hate Crimes and Discrimination in Barcelona to assess the criminal implications of the case. This action seeks to reverse the archiving of Catalanophobia cases and protect Catalan speakers' access to basic services.
“"Patient annoyed because I am not Catalan. Refuses to speak in Spanish and be attended by a non-local doctor."
The medical report, accessed by the media outlet El Món, reveals that the doctor admitted the patient requested to be attended in Catalan, but this possibility was denied. Acció Cassandra highlights that the doctor practices in Catalonia and understands Catalan, suggesting the refusal was a discriminatory decision. The complaint is based on articles 510.2.a and 511 of the Penal Code, which define hate crimes and discriminatory denial of services by individuals in charge of public services.
