PP says Mallorca lacks places for lone minors

Mallorca cannot take unaccompanied foreign minors — children travelling alone — from other Spanish regions while its child-protection system is already under pressure, the PP says. Núria Riera, the party’s spokesperson on the Island Council of Mallorca, made the warning in Palma on Friday. She said increased migrant arrivals on the Balearic coast were stretching the island’s available places and resources.

Europa Press

Riera said Mallorca would continue to protect every minor who arrives on the island. But she argued that its physical and material capacity is limited and that it should not be expected to take on further cases from elsewhere while the Spanish government has yet to respond to the migration situation.

PP calls for stronger sea-border action

Riera blamed the Spanish government and the central government’s delegate in the Balearic Islands, Alfonso Rodríguez, for what she called a lack of effective action on migration routes. She said border control, immigration and immigration law fall under the state’s responsibility.

The Balearic PP is calling for a dedicated plan for the islands’ sea border. It wants more staff, vessels, aircraft and technology for the Guardia Civil and National Police, tighter monitoring of irregular migration routes and more resources to fight people-smuggling networks.

Riera also called for better systems to identify minors and trace their families. Where legal and in the child’s best interests, she said family reunification in their countries of origin should be encouraged.

Palma rally planned for 2 September

The PP spokesperson backed an initiative by the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces over the situation in Ceuta. She urged people in Mallorca to join a gathering outside Palma Town Hall at 20.00 on 2 September.

Similar gatherings may also be called in other municipalities across the island. Riera said Mallorca stood with Ceuta, while demanding that the state act in the Balearic Islands before, in the PP’s view, the situation worsens further.