28 arrive in Mallorca: border plan call

Twenty-eight people arrived in sa Ràpita, Mallorca, on Wednesday, as Campos council called for a dedicated plan to strengthen the Balearic Islands’ sea border. Andratx council has backed the same demand in separate motions put forward by the Partido Popular.

Europa Press

The motions ask Spain’s central government to maintain effective border controls and give the National Police and Guardia Civil more staff, equipment and technology. They also call for greater European Union involvement in protecting external borders.

Campos mayor Francisca Porquer said the arrivals showed that what is happening in Ceuta is not distant from her municipality. The motions express support for Ceuta and its people, and reaffirm Spain’s sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla.

The proposed Balearic plan would be drawn up with the regional government and island councils. It calls for more staff, boats, aircraft and technology, along with stronger surveillance and prevention of routes used for irregular migration.

It also seeks extra resources to tackle people-smuggling networks. For unaccompanied foreign children, the motions demand proper identification and age assessments, efforts to find relatives and, where possible under the law, family reunification in the child’s best interests.

According to the Partido Popular, MÉS voted against the motions in both councils. The Socialist Party of the Balearic Islands opposed the measure in Andratx, while Endavant Campos voted against it in Campos.

Mallorca: 28 arrive as Campos seeks border plan