SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE 7 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Parliament of the Canary Islands convenes this Thursday a working group from the Conference of European Regional Legislative Assemblies (Calre) to host a day dedicated to migration aimed at “highlighting” the “migratory crisis” experienced by the archipelago.
During a press briefing, the president of the regional Assembly stated that an agreement was made in November of the previous year for the Canarian Parliament to lead the migration group to “bring awareness to the migratory tragedy” of the region, and Thursday’s meeting is a reflection of that “commitment.”
He remarked that they will assess various aspects, including the Pact on Migration and Asylum and its subsequent legislative development, the treatment of minors and adults within the EU, and the provision of assistance. This led Pérez to extend “recognition” to the NGOs working on the ground to “offer the best support,” as these migrants “are individuals in precarious situations.”
“I believe it will be a day filled with technical expertise and I anticipate it will be beneficial for a matter that greatly concerns us, which is immigration policy,” he expressed.
The president of the Murcia Assembly, Visitación Martínez, reiterated this sentiment, stressing that “while the Murcia region has historically been supportive, the reality is that the juvenile centres are operating at 200 per cent of their capacity and are completely overwhelmed, demonstrating the urgent need for a fair and equitable distribution across Spanish territory.”
FRONTEX, DISTRIBUTION OF MIGRANTS AND ASYLUM PACT
At the closed-session conference, subjects such as the future implementation of the Migration and Asylum Pact, regulations on migrants and distribution policies, as well as the role of Frontex in rescue operations, were discussed.
Participants included Joana Abrisketa Uriarte, a professor of International Law and EU Law at the University of Deusto; Claudia María Hofmann, a professor of Public Law and European Social Law at the European University Viadrina Frankfurt; Indira Carballo, a Civil Protection volunteer in El Hierro and foster mother for minors; Cheik Tidiane Diop, an intercultural mediator and worker with the Mundo Nuevo Solidarity Association in a minor centre; Lucas Pérez, a professor of private International Law at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; David Melián, a legal expert focused on mobility of children; Agustín Barroso, interim director of the Regional Coordination Centre of the Canary Islands; and Carlos Fernández, an advisor to the European Parliament on Borders, Migration, and Asylum, as well as a negotiator for the European Pact on Migration and Asylum.
Additionally, there was a debate with the presidents of the European parliaments, which involved the participation of Marta Fernández Martín (Aragón); Antonio Gazzellone (Lazio, Italy); Luis García (Azores); María José González Revuelta (Cantabria); and María Visitación Martínez (Murcia).
Following this discussion panel, it was agreed to compile a document summarising the conclusions provided by the participants, which will be presented at the next plenary session of the Calre.
