Gabriel Cisneros

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Gabriel Cisneros Laborda (born August 14, 1940 Tarazona, Spain - died July 27, 2007 Murcia) was a Spanish politician and one of the co-authors and "fathers" of the Spanish Constitution of 1978 following Spain's move to democracy. He is also credited with helping to write the European Union's Declaration of Human Rights.^[1]

Cisneros, a member of the PP, a conservative Spanish political party, was one of seven politicians charged with writing the Spanish Constitution of 1978,^[1] Spain's first democratic constitution, following the death of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco in 1975. The constitution set the foundation for the government of Spain from the 1978 up to the present day. Cisneros is also the author of several other Spanish institutional laws.^[1]

Additional, Cisneros also helped to write laws pertaining to the Basque statute and autonomy.^[1] His work with Basque law made Cisneros a kidnapping target. Cisneros survived a 1979 kidnapping attempt by the Basque separatist group, ETA.^[1] Cisneros managed to fight off and escape two ETA kidnappers, but suffered gunshot wounds to his stomach and leg.^[1]

Cisneros was a member of the Central Democratic Union (UCD), until he switched parties in 1989 and became a member of the Partido Popular (PP), a Spanish conservative political party.^[1] He served as a member of Spain's parliament until his death in 2007. Cisneros held a number of key posts as an MP.^[1]

Cisneros was present in the Cortes Generales in July 2007 for ceremonies marking the 30th anniversary of Spain's first democratic elections in 1977.^[1] King Juan Carlos honored Cisneros and other key figures of Spain's transition to democracy following Franco's death saying the reformers, "has allowed us to avoid harsh and sterile confrontations in the normal development of our political life."^[1]

Cisneros died of complications from a stroke on July 27, 2007, in Murcia. His death was announced in Parliament that same day.^[1] Cisneros had last appeared in Parliament to commemorate Spain's adoption of democracy in July 2007.^[1]

Mariano Rajoy, leader of the opposition PP party, called Cisneros "an extraordinary politician."^[1] Spain's governing Socialist Party also paid tribute to Cisneros, "He contributed in an important way to the consolidation of our democratic system."^[1]