The Ombudsman has recommended the “immediate closure” of the warehouse where most immigrants are held for the first 72 hours who arrive in Lanzarote by boat, warning, among other things, of its unsanitary conditions. According to the newspaper El País, which has had access to the report, technicians from the Ombudsman visited the facility in November and have concluded that “the minimum conditions of habitability and health are not met to guarantee the protection of the health, hygiene and privacy of detainees.”
Months before this visit took place, some groups had already denounced this situation, and even disseminated a video of the interior of the warehouse, located on the road from Arrecife to San Bartolomé. In it, mattresses and mats were seen thrown on the ground serving as beds for hundreds of people. In addition, the warehouse does not even have bathrooms or showers, so chemical toilets were installed. Next to them, a puddle was seen in the video.
El País points out that the Ombudsman Ángel Gabilondo recommends that the Temporary Stay Center for Foreigners (CATE) that was installed behind the National Police Station in Arrecife be put into operation “as a matter of urgency” four months ago. Initially, the City Council blocked its opening, alleging that the Ministry of the Interior and the Police did not have the necessary permits to carry out this installation; but on February 1, the central government overcame this obstacle by including the CATE in a list of assets of general interest. However, more than three weeks later it is still not operational, according to the newspaper because they are "waiting for the supplies to be registered".
