SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE 3 APR. (Press Europa) –
The central government and the Canary authorities reached an agreement on Thursday to adhere to the Supreme Court’s ruling and facilitate the transfer of a total of 1,008 minors who have applied for asylum from the Canary Islands to the state reception network.
Addressing journalists following an interministerial meeting in Tenerife, both the President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, and the Minister of Territorial Policy, Ángel Víctor Torres, concurred on the need to evaluate each case individually as the circumstances vary.
“The Government of Spain will, of course, respect that ruling and will implement it. We will do this in coordination with the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands while prioritising the best interests of the child in light of the issues we not only comprehend but with which we have actively engaged,” stated Minister Torres, clearly referring to the Royal Decree concerning the distribution of migrant minors.
Torres further defended that the Supreme Court’s decision fundamentally aims to “uphold human rights, particularly the rights of minors, and to address the overcrowding involving these young people in the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands.”
Inclusion in the National Agagida System
Thus, the central government will accept and honour the Supreme Court’s ruling, ensuring that over a thousand asylum seekers are integrated into the national reception system. He added that this will involve a collaborative effort with the Canary Islands Government to examine “case by case” their distribution, paying particular attention to “those who have roots in the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands.” It is at this juncture that efforts will be made to “ascertain whether or not to relocate them to other areas within Spanish territory in the national reception framework.”
“The ruling does not dictate where they must stay or relocate. It simply states that they must be integrated into the national reception system. We fully comply with that directive, which necessitates their placement within the national reception network,” he clarified.
Reflecting on the meeting’s outcomes, Torres described it as “productive,” although he acknowledged that there are “various nuances from a legal perspective” between the two administrations, yet both share a commitment to a “humanitarian response to these children currently situated in border territories, in this case, the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands.”
Regarding the potential inclusion of the current number of asylum applicants detailed in the Decree Law for the Transfer of Migrant Minors, the Minister remarked that both subjects are “complementary,” but emphasised that “what’s crucial now” is ensuring effective coordination between the two governments to address the needs of the minors seeking asylum.
Coordination work
“We will engage with the Canary Islands government to formulate an agreement, protocol, or arrangement that is suitable on a case-by-case basis, as there will be minors who are already in school or are employed in the Canary Islands and who do not wish to move elsewhere. What would be devastating is if the royal decree law is not ratified, because if it is rejected next week, we could see 4,000 minors remaining in the Canary Islands.”
The President of the Canary Islands government, Fernando Clavijo, commended the collaborative efforts of the administrations in their commitment to safeguard the best interests of the minors. He also acknowledged the “exemplary” work by the legal services of the autonomous community in securing the positive precautionary measures implicating the general administration of the State in attending to minors.
“During the meeting, we discussed the urgency of having these minors, as indicated by the Supreme Court, incorporated into the State International Protection system. I believe that has been made abundantly clear,” he commented.
He added that the process will now adopt a “more technical” approach, with meetings set to be expedited so that by the 9th day of the month, which marks the deadline for adhering to the ruling, coordination will be established on how these children will enter the international protection network and thereby alleviate the overcrowding issues faced by the islands.
Considering the scenario where asylum seekers are integrated into the national system yet remain in the Canary Islands, the President has stated, “It is essential to listen to the children and assess each case individually,” while noting that this could only occur if “the overcrowding is addressed, which is currently unresolved.”
