Lehendakari Imanol Pradales Visits ‘Open Arms’ in Tenerife

Faced with Populism

On Friday, the lehendakari, Imanol Pradales, visited the humanitarian rescue ship ‘Open Arms’, docked in the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. He challenged “populists and cowards” who speak of sinking the vessel—referring to comments made by Santiago Abascal, leader of Vox—to confront the humanitarian crisis directly, rather than discussing it “from the comfort of an office or a bar.”

During the second day of his official visit to the Canary Islands, Pradales met with representatives from around thirty NGOs that assist refugees and migrants from both the Canaries and the Basque Country. Following these meetings, he visited a centre for unaccompanied migrant minors and the ‘Open Arms’ itself.

Institutional Support

He was accompanied at all events by Candelaria Delgado, the Minister for Social Welfare of the Canaries, her Basque counterpart Nerea Melgosa, and representatives from various social organisations. Upon leaving the ship, the lehendakari stated that the ‘Open Arms’ serves as a reminder that “when human rights and dignity are prioritised, we can save lives, but it also reminds us that many individuals lose their lives at sea while searching for a better life.”

A Complex Phenomenon

Pradales described migration as “a complex phenomenon” that must be approached by centring on people’s needs, steering clear of both populist rhetoric and overly simplistic narratives. He noted that the Basque and Canary Island governments are collaborating on a structural, coordinated migration plan within the State.

Joint Efforts

In this context, he emphasised that the meeting with third-sector entities from the Canaries and the Basque Country aims to seek solutions and resolve issues arising from migration, as well as promoting the idea that migrants in the European Union “should have individual pathways.” He stressed that responsible action involves avoiding inflammatory populist discourse that is often delivered from the comfort of a desk or bar.

A Direct Call to Action

Pradales challenged those making such populist statements to visit the ‘Open Arms’, confront the humanitarian crisis, and look into the eyes of those saving lives at sea and those being rescued. He remarked that, like ‘Open Arms’, the ‘Aita Mari’ operates in the Basque Country, engaging in humanitarian rescue with the support of the Basque Government.

Basque Solidarity

“We Basques have shown solidarity with many crises experienced across Europe and beyond,” he asserted, citing the children of Chernobyl, the Sahrawis, Ukrainians, as well as the Palestinian people and those in Gaza. Regarding his meeting with NGOs, he highlighted that a protocol and agreement between the Canaries and the Basque Country is being developed to address the migration situation in collaboration with the third sector.

Autonomous Alliances

Minister Candelaria Delgado confirmed the strong relationship and alignment of ideas between the two regions concerning migration, applicable to both adults and unaccompanied minors or asylum seekers. “We are going to establish collaborative channels where we can benefit from the best practices being developed in the Canaries and the Basque Country,” she explained, noting that this protocol will be forwarded to the Spanish Government and other interested autonomous communities.

National Migration Plan

In this way, “the national migration plan that the State must create is beginning to take shape through the autonomous communities,” Delgado affirmed. Among other measures, it is suggested that the EU’s Asylum and Immigration Pact should include provisions for unaccompanied migrant minors. The collaborative effort between both administrations and social entities, she concluded, “will allow us to be stronger and more agile in responding to migration, with a clear focus on caring for people and ensuring that individuals are at the heart of political action.”