The Cabildo approves the 'Lanzarote and La Graciosa Pact for Immigration', to avoid "improvised temporary camps"
The Cabildo of Lanzarote has approved during the plenary session held this Friday, October 27, the 'Lanzarote and La Graciosa Pact for Immigration', through which the Government of Spain is urged to "regulate by decree the mandatory distribution of unaccompanied foreign minors" who arrive in the Canary Islands among the remaining autonomous communities, as well as the conditions under which it should be carried out.
In addition, it requests to "avoid the use of macro-centers" to host migrants arriving to our islands, as well as to end "precarious facilities", such as the "tent camps set up" as a Temporary Foreigner Attention Center (CATE). On the other hand, it is required that, in case of needing care resources, to plan "smaller spaces and attending to different profiles", in order to a better treatment upon arrival, avoiding the creation of "improvised temporary camps".
This motion has been presented given the "unprecedented rebound" that Lanzarote and La Graciosa have experienced, as well as the Canary Islands in general, in terms of the arrival of migrants from the African coasts, leading to "overwhelmed" human and material resources available for the reception and accommodation of the hundreds of Unaccompanied Foreign Minors (MENAS) who have arrived in these days.
Therefore, it urges to declare the situation of "humanitarian emergency", as it was done in 2018 and to adopt "actions aimed" at a rapid family reunification of minors; as well as an "increase" of the human and material resources of the State Security Forces and Corps, Maritime Rescue and Frontex.
"Create a single command in migration matters and demand that regional realities be taken into account in the reform of the EU's migration and asylum policy"
In this way, the Government of Spain is required to create a "single command" in migration matters and, taking advantage of the Spanish presidency in the European Union, to demand that regional realities be "taken into account in the reform of the EU's migration and asylum policy".
Institutional Declaration on the situation in the Middle East
Also, during Friday's session, the Cabildo's plenary session approved an institutional declaration condemning the terrorist attacks against Israel and has requested the "immediate cessation" of violence against the population, both in Israel and the Gaza Strip.
The declaration demands the "immediate release" of the people held in the framework of this conflict and makes a "call" for any act to be carried out within the framework of International Law, without affecting the civilian population, and to guarantee "access to health care, humanitarian aid and development aid".
In addition, the Government of Spain and the European Union are urged to "activate all diplomatic mechanisms" at their disposal to "avoid a regional escalation of the conflict and the loss of more innocent lives" in a firm commitment to peace, security and stability in the region.
The declaration rejects all unilateral measures that distance the prospect of the two-State solution, the only response to the legitimate national aspirations of Palestinians and Israelis and a key element for peace and security.
Finally, the international community is invited to "work to make effective this solution" of the two States in accordance with International Law and United Nations resolutions.
