The government is working together with the city of Ceuta to transfer to the peninsula 500 migrant girls who entered irregularly during the avalanche at the end of July, in which some 72,000 people arrived, as confirmed on Wednesday by the Minister of Inclusion, Migration and Social Security, Elma Saiz. The aim is for them to travel to the Iberian Peninsula and be served by the rest of the autonomous communities.
«They are girls who are alone and any measure that is adopted will always ensure that the best interests of the child are protected,» said the minister in an interview on RNE, collected by Servimedia. The minors remain grouped in safe spaces in the autonomous city to avoid cases of sexual violence such as those already being studied by the Justice.
THE GOVERNMENT DEFENDS THE LEGALITY OF THE MEASURES
The head of Inclusion stated that «the Government always acts in compliance with the law» and recalled that Spain is an autonomous state in which «the role of the autonomous communities is clear».
Saiz has pointed out that his Ministry is working on the crisis from the first moment and in a «permanent» way. To deal with the situation, the Government has allocated 25 million euros. The minister also insisted that Morocco is a «reliable» partner and called for «institutional loyalty» within Spain.
The minister remains in Ceuta for the third consecutive day, more than two weeks after the beginning of the crisis. In the face of criticism for the moment chosen to travel to the autonomous city, she has defended that she «did not have to come on a specific date» and has stressed that «the coordination work is enormous».
REPATRIATIONS WILL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LEGISLATION
Saiz also stressed that possible cases of repatriation to Morocco will be carried out in accordance with the European legislative framework and the Spanish Immigration Law.
Regarding the 1,500 places planned to house migrants who remain in Ceuta in tents, the minister has not specified when they will be available and has only indicated that their implementation will be «imminent». We are working to make it as soon as possible,» he reiterated.
The minister said she «understands» that the president of the autonomous city, Juan Jesús Vivas, conveys «the concerns of the citizens» after assuring that «a camp throughout the city». Faced with this assessment, Saiz explained that representatives of neighborhoods have transferred another perception about the devices installed by the Executive. «They applaud and live with hope these devices that have been installed by the Government of Spain».
