SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 2nd October (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Public Prosecutor’s Office for Minors has commended the significant enhancements in the care provided to unaccompanied migrant children who have arrived on the island of El Hierro and has called for the “crucial” solidarity of other autonomous communities to facilitate their reception, while also requesting additional resources in light of the “surge” of migrants coming to the islands. “This is not solely a problem for the Canary Islands; it is a societal issue and affects us all.”
These remarks were made by Teresa Gisbert, the Prosecutor of the Juvenile Unit Chamber of the State Attorney General’s Office, who visited El Hierro last Monday alongside María Farnés Martínez, the Superior Prosecutor of the Canary Islands, to assess the handling of migrant arrivals, particularly minors, the challenges faced by the island, and the requirements necessary to effectively manage this situation.
Following a meeting with the Minister of Social Welfare of the Government of the Canary Islands, Candelaria Delgado, and visits to various temporary reception centres for foreigners (CATE), Gisbert noted that, despite some “debates” concerning specific situations, including the implementation of protocols with the Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office, the reality is that “conditions are improving” and actions are being taken promptly, despite many centres experiencing “overcapacity.”
In this context, the prosecutor underscored that there has been an “agreement” to ensure that the identified dysfunctions “do not happen again.” For instance, minors will no longer remain in the CATE for extended periods and can be swiftly assigned to their respective centres to guarantee their rights immediately. “Every issue has a potential resolution if we tackle it in the most efficient and expedient manner,” stated Gisbert, who emphasised that, despite the current saturation, “we have made significant progress and are moving in the right direction.”
Among the recommendations made by the Prosecutor’s Office to the Government of the Canary Islands to enhance care for these children is the proposal that Autonomous Police officers should not need to travel to the island to escort minors to the centre, but rather that this process can be completed electronically, delegating this responsibility to an official or the reception centre itself.
In light of the migratory pressures confronting the Canary Islands, the Prosecutor of the Juvenile Unit Chamber also appealed for solidarity from all communities, as she regards this as “vital.” “It is clear that solidarity is essential because the primary focus must be on safeguarding children,” asserted Gisbert, who expressed her hope that the ongoing negotiations involving the Government of Spain, the Canary Islands Executive, and the Popular Party will result in mandatory arrangements for the reception of minors “as soon as possible.”
Finally, the prosecutor acknowledged the “magnificent” work being carried out by the prosecutors in the Canary Islands in addressing a “unique and demanding” situation where the rights of migrant children, as well as those of the Canarian populace, are at stake, particularly for the residents of El Hierro, who have shown “immense solidarity.” She also extended her gratitude for the efforts of the Government of the Canary Islands, the security services, and NGOs, specifically the Red Cross.
“THE RESULT OF HUMAN ACTION.”
For her part, María Farnés Martínez, the Superior Prosecutor of the Canary Islands, emphasized that the circumstances currently affecting the islands compared to last year are “extremely grave,” as “a significant number of people have arrived, including many minors, and there have been rapid changes in centres.” In this regard, she reminded that the Prosecutor’s Office has been stating in its reports for seven years that this scenario “cannot be resolved without a fair distribution.”
The prosecutor confirmed that the care for minors in El Hierro “has improved considerably” in comparison to last year, when she “departed with a heavy heart.” She also ruled out any correlation between the cases of abuse being investigated at three centres—two in Las Palmas and one in Tenerife—and overcapacity, asserting instead that these issues “are a result of human action.”
