Canary Islands Prosecutor Demands Action on Protection of Unaccompanied Migrant Minors
The Chief Prosecutor of the Canary Islands, María Farnés Martínez Frigola, has taken a decisive step to safeguard the rights of unaccompanied foreign migrant minors in the archipelago. A decree was issued this Thursday, mandating that prosecutors in the region adhere to a specific territorial protocol aimed at ensuring that these vulnerable children and youth receive adequate shelter upon their arrival by boat.
The importance of this directive cannot be overstated, as it outlines a proactive approach towards the potential abandonment of minors by the local government. The Chief Prosecutor has indicated that an investigation will be launched into the Canarian Government should it fail to provide the necessary care and accommodation for unaccompanied minors arriving in the islands.
According to the decree, prosecutors on duty—specifically those within the Youth Section or the Human Trafficking and Immigration Section—are instructed to act immediately upon receiving information from any member of the State Security Forces. If the General Directorate for the Protection of Children and Adolescents denies hosting an unaccompanied minor in a designated protection center, prosecutors must officially notify the directorate to ensure that appropriate measures are implemented to accommodate the minor without delay.
In tandem with this, the prosecutor’s office has emphasized that the on-duty prosecutor will provide necessary guidelines to the police who reported the issue. This directive includes ensuring that the unaccompanied minors are afforded essential protective measures, such as food and lodging, until they can be placed in the care of the General Directorate or the appropriate shelter.
The protocol mandates close monitoring of minors who need to stay in police facilities. The prosecutor will also require a comprehensive report from the Security Forces detailing the situation of each unaccompanied minor. This report should capture whether the minors are part of a family unit, who they traveled with, the conditions of their arrival, and any health issues they may face. Furthermore, it calls for the identification of individuals within the General Directorate for the Protection of Children who either respond to calls for assistance or decline to take responsibility for these vulnerable youth.
Notably, the directive highlights the prosecutors' responsibility under Human Trafficking and Immigration to initiate preliminary investigations if there are indications of a potential crime concerning the abandonment of minors. This will take place without hindering any further investigations that may arise from the circumstances surrounding each individual case.
This initiative by the Chief Prosecutor reflects a growing concern about the welfare of unaccompanied minors in the Canary Islands, a situation exacerbated by increasing numbers of migrants risking their lives to reach European shores. The need for comprehensive protective measures and protocols for the care of these youngsters has never been more critical. As such, this decree may represent a vital shift in the judicial approach to ensuring the safety and rights of those who arrive without adult guardians.
The actions outlined in this decree set a precedent for accountability and structured responses to the challenges faced by unaccompanied minors within the Canary Islands and may inspire similar initiatives in other regions facing migratory pressures.
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