The families of two of the victims of Spain’s Franco regime have taken their cases to court in Argentina.

They have filed a suit requesting an investigation into human rights abuses during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) and the right-wing dictatorship of General Francisco Franco that followed it. Tens of thousands of people disappeared during the war and the Franco years (1939-1975).

Human rights abuses can be brought to court all over the world under international law. The plaintiffs in Buenos Aires say they want to show solidarity with the Spanish investigating judge, Baltasar Garzón.

He has launched a Spanish investigation into human rights abuses under General Franco. However, a right-wing Spanish group has brought charges against him, alleging his investigation breaches 1977 amnesty legislation.

Judge Garzón became famous after issuing an arrest warrant for Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet when he visited London in 1998.