SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, September 18 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The parliamentary groups of PSOE, CC, PP, NC-BC, ASG and AHI have agreed this Monday in demanding more “solidarity” to member states and autonomous communities in the reception of migrants – they open the door to legislative modifications to make it mandatory – -, more cooperation in the countries of origin and bureaucratic simplification to help integration.
In a debate table organized by the Canarian Parliament at the ‘Conecta Conference. Canary Islands-Europe’, which had the absence of Vox – at the last minute the representative Paula Jover ruled out her participation due to scheduling problems -, the six political formations influenced the achievement of safe emigration routes through a new visa policy and put an end to a certain improvisation in the reception.
Raúl Acosta (AHI), who intervened through a recorded intervention, commented that immigration is a “complex” phenomenon and its solution “cannot be simplistic”, while warning that “collapses” can be generated in the reception, as is currently the case in El Hierro.
The deputy has wondered if it is positive that the new EU pact mixes asylum with migration, has asked to put an end to the “colonialist” vision of migration and hopes that with the Spanish presidency of the EU the protocols in case of crisis.
Jesús Chinea (ASG) has pointed out that there is a “change” in European migration policy and he “no longer thinks so much about the monetary” and puts the humanitarian “first” and has reflected on “what solutions” can be provided to avoid more deaths or that people do not have to “live poorly” on the streets.
ASG: “MUCH MORE CAN BE DONE”
He has regretted episodes of “lack of coordination” in Rescue and scarcity of resources and maintains that “much more can be done” with the identification of people or that there are better facilities where human rights are respected.
Likewise, he has said that the Canary Islands “cannot be a wall” for migrants, which is why he has called for a “safe” emigration route and a new visa policy that puts an end to the idea of migrants getting on a boat.
Ramos has requested more “solidarity” from European countries and the rest of the autonomous communities to welcome more migrants and more “simplification” to issue visas and grant documentation to migrants.
He has also warned that the funds allocated by the EU in countries of origin to carry out control and security tasks are not used efficiently and has pointed out that the “looting” of African natural wealth by foreign multinationals must end.
The spokesperson for NC-BC, Luis Campos, has warned of the “insensitivity” with which society assumes the deaths of migrants in the Atlantic, on a route to which inflatable boats, which are more vulnerable, have been incorporated and have expanded the distance to Senegal and Gambia.
He has not hidden that migrations “will continue to exist” and the Canary Islands will be a welcoming land, since it is one hundred kilometers from Africa, and on the continent there are political and social problems and its economy suffers the effects of climate change.
NC-BC: CANARY ISLANDS CANNOT BE AN “EXPERIMENTATION CENTER”
Campos has criticized the visa policy because there is a “structural violence” that forces migrants to the canoe and the boat, and understands that at the center of EU policies are not human rights but “containment” in the arrival of people.
Thus, it has rejected the Canary Islands becoming “a retention center or experimentation center” and has requested “differentiated responses” by territory and that are not “reactive.”
He has made it clear that “immigration solidarity does not exist” and legislative changes are needed that force member states and a “co-development” policy that does not involve the “blue card” because it implies an “extractivist” position like that of the old colonizers.
Juan Manuel García Casañas, of the Popular Group, has pointed out that the EU “has hesitated” with some measures to confront the migratory phenomenon, between containment or reception, stressing that the response “must be more organized” and aimed at solving problems. , not only the rescue, but also its integration.
He has said that the lack of documentation leads migrants to “ostracism”, to the underground economy or to dependence on “mafias”, which is why he has asked to “accelerate” the management of visas, permits, documentation or training so that “they can contribute “to the Canarian society, whose economy has needs in the agricultural sector and in social and health care.
“We have been dealing with the problem for twenty years and we give an image of disorganization,” he stressed, highlighting the case of El Hierro, with more than 1,500 migrants arriving this summer on an island of 7,000 inhabitants and a port of La Restinga accumulated with “canoes and garbage” that “generates rejection.
CC: CANARY ISLANDS SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN THE IMMIGRATION DEBATE
Socorro Beato, from the Nationalist Group, has commented that immigration is a “complex” phenomenon with no short-term solutions, and in the case of the Canary Islands, it is aggravated by the political, economic and climatic problems of West Africa.
He has called for more “self-criticism” from the EU after the episodes in Arguineguín or Lampedusa, which “are not a coincidence” but respond to the lack of planning in the reception, which is not being “efficient.” “We have to address the problem from a structural point of view,” she said.
In his opinion, there is also a “failure” in dialogue and understanding between the member states and there has been a lack of “attention” to the ‘Atlantic route’ and more work and cooperation with the countries of origin, within a “common and solidarity”.
He has pointed out that “the Canary Islands have to be listened to”, as stated in their own Statute of Autonomy, and “not be a prison or a wall”, and understands that “the most urgent thing is to save lives” with technical means, reinforcement of Frontex and establishment of legal, orderly and safe means.
Elena Máñez (PSOE) has said that we must have a “comprehensive” vision of what is happening in Africa and also “change our perspective” from a “neighborhood” policy and with a gender perspective, since there is a “double vulnerability.” “.
He pointed out that with the Spanish presidency of the EU there is a “great opportunity” to correct the community asylum policy and not fall into the errors of 2015 and the reception of Syrian people, since Europe “is risking its credibility” and put an end to “speech of hate and xenophobia”.
According to Máñez, there are different realities in Europe for managing immigration, with those in the south in charge of welcoming, those in the north ensuring that migrants are welcomed and stay there, and those in the east, who want to “raise walls.”
The socialist deputy has said that the Canary Islands must play an “important role” in the relationship with Africa but has insisted on “raising the debate” in the EU so that there is a “shared responsibility” between all member states. “Some want to get rid of it by paying,” she said.
