Aragón's Silence on Unaccompanied Minor Migrants Raises Concerns Amid Budget Negotiations
In a significant revelation, Aragón stands as the only autonomous community in Spain that has failed to report on the number of unaccompanied minor migrants currently under its care. The Community of Madrid, by contrast, has submitted its figures, as detailed by Youth and Childhood Minister Sira Rego in statements made to the media at the Ministry on March 31. This date marks the deadline for autonomous communities to fulfill the government's request for information pertaining to unaccompanied minors.
Minister Rego expressed her concerns regarding discrepancies in data submission across various regions, particularly highlighting the handling of data by the Community of Madrid. Despite these discrepancies, she noted that most other autonomous communities had complied with the request, following the approval of the royal decree-law aimed at reforming Article 35 of the Immigration Law.
The absence of data from Aragón is particularly troubling, as Rego emphasized that no information has been provided. It is known that Aragón's regional government, under Jorge Azcón from the People’s Party (PP), has filed two appeals, including one currently pending before the Madrid High Court, specifically contesting the request for information. This move has raised eyebrows, considering that transparency among public administrations is generally expected.
Furthermore, the regional government’s reluctance to disclose this crucial data could potentially be tied to ongoing budget negotiations with the far-right party, Vox. Pilar Alegría, Government spokesperson and Secretary General of the PSOE of Aragón, expressed her disappointment regarding the lack of data submission from her region's government. During a press conference following Tuesday's Council of Ministers meeting at La Moncloa, Alegría suggested that the failure to submit the information could be related to an underlying agreement between the PP and Vox aimed at facilitating the approval of the regional budget.
As the situation unfolds, Rego indicated that there will be a short window for autonomous communities to clarify discrepancies and provide accurate figures. The need for clarity is especially pressing given the diverse approaches adopted by the regions regarding the care and reporting of unaccompanied minor migrants.
The tension surrounding Aragón's omission highlights the complexities local governments face when reconciling social welfare with political agreements. Stakeholders and advocates for migrant rights are closely watching the developments, particularly as they impact the most vulnerable populations. The implications of these budget negotiations and the lack of transparency pose significant questions for those committed to safeguarding the rights and welfare of unaccompanied minors in Spain.
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