Coalición Canaria, a political party led by Fernando Calvijo, who is also the president of the Canary Islands, strongly criticized the Public Prosecutor’s Office on Sunday after the Regional High Court ordered the temporary suspension of the protocol approved for the reception of unaccompanied migrant minors arriving on the islands. The party’s national political council accused the public prosecutor of having a “double standard” and of “sabotaging” Clavijo’s government, as the Prosecutor’s Office challenged the protocol in court, believing that its implementation would result in a lack of immediate care for minors arriving by sea.
In a statement released on Sunday, Coalición Canaria stated that it was “inadmissible” that the Public Prosecutor’s Office did not take any action in 2022 when the then president, Ángel Víctor Torres (PSOE), threatened to set up tents on the islands to accommodate minors during another migration crisis. The party continued to criticize the public prosecutor for allegedly turning a blind eye to the serious failures of the State in migration matters on the islands, accusing them of being complicit with the Socialist party.
The Canary Islands High Court temporarily suspended the protocol on Friday at the request of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, before hearing from all parties involved and studying the matter further. The judges noted the “urgent circumstances” and concluded that the implementation of the plan could potentially hinder the immediate handover and reception of minors to the regional authorities responsible for their care. Despite this, the Clavijo government refrained from attacking the judges, with government spokesperson Alfonso Cabello describing the court’s decision as “reasonable” and stating that they would defend their protocol before the court.
The Clavijo government also expressed concerns about the situation on the ground, with Cabello highlighting that the capacity to accommodate migrants in the Canary Islands is overwhelmed. The government is facing challenges in providing adequate care and support for migrant minors arriving on the islands, and the suspension of the protocol has further strained the situation. Cabello emphasized the need to address the fundamental issue of the islands’ capacity to handle the influx of migrants.
Coalición Canaria’s criticism of the Public Prosecutor’s Office underscores the ongoing tensions and challenges faced by the Canary Islands in managing the arrival of unaccompanied migrant minors. The suspension of the protocol for their reception has raised concerns about the immediate care and support available to these vulnerable individuals. The government’s response to the court’s decision and its commitment to defending its protocol signals a continued effort to address the complex issues surrounding migration on the islands. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders will need to work together to find sustainable solutions to ensure the well-being and safety of all individuals involved.
