The leader of CC, Fernando Clavijo, on Saturday «praised» the «transparency» of the PP and Vox on immigration issues because it allows «Canarians to know before they vote» that both parties want to «turn the islands into a large migrant detention centre, as, unfortunately», they were «two or three years ago».
This is how the Canarian president has assessed the PP’s election pledge to repeal, amongst other laws, the amendment to Article 35 of the Immigration Act passed during this parliamentary term, which obliges all of Spain’s autonomous communities to take in unaccompanied migrant children arriving in small boats and canoes in the Canary Islands and Ceuta, given the migration crisis facing these border territories.
Clavijo pointed out that, before this legislative reform came into force, «the fundamental rights of immigrants and minors could not be safeguarded» in the Canary Islands «because the numbers were so high that the services in this autonomous community were unable to cope».
Migration policy: Clavijo recalls the lawsuit against the state
So much so, he recalled, «that we had to take the matter to the Supreme Court to ensure that the State fulfilled its obligation».
«I can only praise the sincerity» of these two parties «and, of course, say that I am totally against that happening because, either we are Europe or we are not Europe; either we are Spain or we are not Spain. What we certainly will not do is act as a hiding place for migrants for those who do not want them walking through their streets,» he added.
Canary Islands: Regional government remains committed to fair distribution
When asked about the friction that this stance by the People’s Party, with whom CC governs in the Canary Islands, might cause within this coalition, Clavijo stated that, so far, the Canary Islands Government’s position on migration has always been to advocate for a fair distribution.
Added to this is «the struggle to treat these people with dignity», «now that immigration policy and the policy on protecting our borders have failed, so that human rights do not fail as well».
«Above all, the people of the Canary Islands are a community that stands together; they have emigrated in the past and know full well what it means to have to leave because there are no opportunities at home,» he emphasised.
Clavijo emphasised that «the regional government’s stance» on migration «has, fortunately, remained in line with the Canarian way of doing things».
«They come from Madrid without knowing us, to speak for Fuenlabrada, not the Canary Islands, and sometimes they make the mistake of being honest. I appreciate that,» he said ironically.
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