Spanish Government to Address Migrant Minors as Supreme Court Deadline Approaches
The government prepares to assume responsibility for over 1,000 migrant minors in the Canary Islands, acknowledging the challenges in immediate relocation.
The Spanish government has confirmed its intention to comply with a Supreme Court ruling mandating the care of 1,008 migrant minors who have sought asylum in the Canary Islands by April 5. Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Ángel Víctor Torres, stated that while the government will fulfill the court’s requirements, immediate relocation of these minors is not feasible.
He emphasized that the Supreme Court does not dictate whether the minors must remain in the Canary Islands or be transferred elsewhere, but rather specifies that they must be integrated into the national system.
In a discussion with the President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, Torres noted the impracticality of rapidly transferring such a significant number of minors, indicating that each case will be evaluated individually.
Clavijo underscored the importance of prioritizing the best interests of the child, echoing concerns raised by the Supreme Court regarding overcrowding in reception centers on the islands, which currently house nearly 6,000 children and adolescents.
Clavijo argued that the issue of overcrowding could be mitigated by relocating minors to facilities where they could receive better care.
In their meeting, they did not address whether the 1,008 asylum seekers count towards the 4,400 minors expected to be distributed to other regions under a decree reforming immigration law.
Torres characterized the matter of the asylum seekers as separate from previous government proposals that included them in potential distribution plans.
He added that the question of guardianship for unaccompanied migrant minors remains contentious, with the central government and the Canary Islands holding opposing views on jurisdiction.
Emphasizing the urgency to comply with the Supreme Court’s directives, Torres expressed the need for the Congress of Deputies to ratify the decree for the redistribution of minors next week.
He made a renewed appeal to the opposition party, the People's Party, for their support, cautioning that failing to advance the legislation would pose significant challenges for the Canary Islands.
Clavijo conveyed disappointment regarding the incomplete reporting of resources from various autonomous communities aimed at accommodating minors, labeling these delays as tactics that undermine minors' rights.
He stated that the Spanish government must demand accurate data and expressed hope to avoid judicial action to ensure the protection of minors’ rights.
Torres indicated that communities failing to provide complete information would be required to clarify their reports to the Ministry of Childhood, with a commitment to invoking legal and administrative measures against those who do not comply, reaffirming the necessity of adherence to the law concerning minors.
He emphasized that the Supreme Court does not dictate whether the minors must remain in the Canary Islands or be transferred elsewhere, but rather specifies that they must be integrated into the national system.
In a discussion with the President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, Torres noted the impracticality of rapidly transferring such a significant number of minors, indicating that each case will be evaluated individually.
Clavijo underscored the importance of prioritizing the best interests of the child, echoing concerns raised by the Supreme Court regarding overcrowding in reception centers on the islands, which currently house nearly 6,000 children and adolescents.
Clavijo argued that the issue of overcrowding could be mitigated by relocating minors to facilities where they could receive better care.
In their meeting, they did not address whether the 1,008 asylum seekers count towards the 4,400 minors expected to be distributed to other regions under a decree reforming immigration law.
Torres characterized the matter of the asylum seekers as separate from previous government proposals that included them in potential distribution plans.
He added that the question of guardianship for unaccompanied migrant minors remains contentious, with the central government and the Canary Islands holding opposing views on jurisdiction.
Emphasizing the urgency to comply with the Supreme Court’s directives, Torres expressed the need for the Congress of Deputies to ratify the decree for the redistribution of minors next week.
He made a renewed appeal to the opposition party, the People's Party, for their support, cautioning that failing to advance the legislation would pose significant challenges for the Canary Islands.
Clavijo conveyed disappointment regarding the incomplete reporting of resources from various autonomous communities aimed at accommodating minors, labeling these delays as tactics that undermine minors' rights.
He stated that the Spanish government must demand accurate data and expressed hope to avoid judicial action to ensure the protection of minors’ rights.
Torres indicated that communities failing to provide complete information would be required to clarify their reports to the Ministry of Childhood, with a commitment to invoking legal and administrative measures against those who do not comply, reaffirming the necessity of adherence to the law concerning minors.
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Translated by AI
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