The Civil Guard opened an investigation last Tuesday into five individuals, employees of an unaccompanied minor migrant reception center on the Canary Island of Lanzarote, for allegedly coercing and threatening five of the minors to commit various criminal acts. The law enforcement agency stated in a press release on Thursday that the goal of the suspects was to destabilize the daily organization of the center, allegedly due to an internal conflict they had with the managing company. They suspect this is the reason behind the numerous incidents – such as mattress fires, thefts, and threats – that have occurred at the facility in recent months. The investigation was initiated after a report was filed at the main Civil Guard office in San Bartolomé by a resident of the La Santa unaccompanied minor center, who claimed to be under pressure from four educational assistants to engage in vandalism and disobey internal regulations. The motive was to disrupt the peaceful coexistence and sabotage the work of the new management, as per the Guardia Civil.
The individuals under investigation, aged between 30 and 44, allegedly threatened the minors by restricting their access to outdoor activities, leisure activities, and weekly allowance if they did not engage in criminal activities. They also led them to believe that they could delay the processing of their legal residency documentation in Spain if they did not comply with their demands. The La Santa shelter is managed by the Siglo XXI Foundation, an organization accused by the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office of misusing public funds. According to the prosecution, foundation executives spent part of the 12.5 million euros received from the state on luxurious expenses like four-star hotel stays, erectile dysfunction pills, and expensive facial treatments. The Foundation has been involved in other scandals, including reports of mistreatment and misconduct by staff towards migrants in other facilities in the Canary Islands. The incidents are under investigation by authorities, and attempts to contact the organization have been unsuccessful.
The Fundación Siglo XXI also managed the Puerto Bello apartments in Puerto Rico, southeast of Gran Canaria, where complaints of abusive treatment and inadequate living conditions were reported by residents. The staff were said to be unqualified and unprepared to care for minors according to a lawsuit filed by the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office. The location was shut down in June 2021, and a year later, legal action was taken against the responsible parties for neglect, failure to report crimes, and minor injuries. The Foundation’s actions have raised concerns about the welfare of the minors under their care, prompting calls for alternative solutions. The government of the Canary Islands, represented by the Minister of Social Welfare, Equality, Youth, Children, and Families, Candelaria Delgado, has stated they will continue working with Siglo XXI until legal rulings are made, despite ongoing investigations into their operations.
The incident involving the coercing and threatening of minors within the migrant reception center highlights the importance of safeguarding vulnerable populations and ensuring proper oversight of organizations entrusted with their care. The allegations of misconduct and misuse of public funds against the Siglo XXI Foundation raise concerns about the efficacy of oversight mechanisms and the need for greater accountability within the system. The ongoing investigations and legal actions taken against those responsible for mistreatment and negligence underscore the urgency of addressing systemic issues within the immigration and migrant care systems. The government’s commitment to upholding contractual obligations while exploring alternative solutions demonstrates a dedication to ensuring the well-being and safety of all individuals under their care in the face of significant challenges.
