Delgado recalls that the overcrowding of young individuals has been a matter that the CCAA has been highlighting for an extended period.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 18 Mar. (Europa Press) –
The Canary Islands Minister of Social Welfare, Equality, Youth, Childhood, and Families, Candelaria Delgado, has stated that the “isolated” incidents of mistreatment towards unaccompanied migrants in the archipelago’s reception centres have been reported to the Prosecutor’s Office.
This was declared on Tuesday in statements to the press when asked about the report from Amnesty International, which highlights “violence and excessive punishments” against young migrants.
In this regard, he detailed that organisations such as UNHCR, UNICEF International, UNICEF Spain, and Save The Children have been collaborating with the Canary Islands government in the centres and “are aware of the challenges” the CCAA faces in providing care for over 5,800 minors without guardianship.
Nevertheless, Delgado underscored the commitment the regional administration is demonstrating to support them in the most respectful manner, noting that they have employed 39 individuals comprising social and administrative staff.
Moreover, the minister indicated that the matter of these children’s documentation does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Autonomous Community, but rather it “is a matter related to foreigners and the Prosecutor’s Office.”
Regarding the issue of mistreatment, he affirmed that “the incidents that have occurred occasionally in certain centres have been reported to the prosecution, which has performed its duties and separated staff involved.”
“If we are discussing abuse due to the overcrowding in the centres, this is something we have been highlighting from the very beginning, and therefore we need urgent action from all the autonomous communities,” he concluded.
