SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Jan. 2 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, visited the Las Raíces migrant center, in La Laguna, this Tuesday and said that “at no time” has she seen “overcrowding” in the facilities, which extend for about 12,000 square meters.
In an interview given to ‘Televisión Canaria’ and reported by Europa Press, he indicated that he has visited all the facilities and has announced that there will be some improvement works soon, in the case of the dining room.
In addition, he has highlighted the protocol that is followed when it is detected that a minor is in the facilities – normally due to delays with bone tests – since the control is “exquisite” and they are isolated from the elderly.
Thus, he indicated, we work “closer” to protect them “as the minors that they are.”
“This is an issue that is constantly evolving, the protocols are being improved more and more because many times we not only talk about migration but there are also other issues that can increase the situation of need such as issues of trafficking or gender violence,” has pointed out.
Saiz has insisted that “the protocols for working with vulnerability are being increasingly improved” and has pointed out that the performance is “impeccable” and is brought to the “immediate” knowledge of the Superior Prosecutor’s Office of the Canary Islands.
The minister has highlighted that the migration issue is an “absolute priority” on the ministry’s agenda and that is why she visited Tenerife this Tuesday to meet with the president of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, several NGOs and visit facilities.
Despite the fact that migrant boats continue to arrive to the archipelago, he highlighted the “leadership role” that Spain has in the EU and that “it is giving results”, especially putting the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the table.
He has also said that we cannot ignore “the complicated geopolitical context” internationally, with climate crises and war episodes that drive people to migrate, especially from the African continent.
In that sense, he commented that “Spain is capable of measuring up” with a “flexible system” that responds to emergencies through “planning” and with “collaboration” between administrations.
Saiz has stressed that “there are issues that are not of will but are issues of State” and along these lines he has pointed out that both administrations and NGOs “are responding to a complicated situation and context.”
In addition, it has once again guaranteed that permanent legislative modifications will be undertaken so that the reception of unaccompanied migrant minors by the autonomous communities is not supportive but mandatory.
He has made it clear that “the Government complies with what it agrees to” and that regulatory change was included in the investiture agreements of Pedro Sánchez between PSOE and CC.
However, he has pointed out that technical and legal work must be carried out that must also be endorsed in the Cortes Generales.
