Spain will start relocating migrant minors from Canary Islands in September
The Region of Murcia will take in 133 unaccompanied children despite the recent unrest
The Spanish government has taken an important step toward moving unaccompanied migrant minors from overcrowded areas like the Canary Islands and Ceuta to other regions across the country. On Tuesday July 22, the Council of Ministers approved a protocol that sets out how this will be done.
According to the Minister of Youth and Children, Sira Rego, transfers can start from August 28 once the government has confirmed the usual capacity for each region. The first children are expected to arrive in their new locations in September. However, the process will not happen all at once.
Recent figures show that the Region of Murcia will need to take in 133 children and will receive nearly €1.7 million in funding for this.
The moves will be organised by the autonomous community or city where the children currently are, but the costs will be covered by the General State Administration.
In response to some PP-led communities opposing the reception of these children, Minister Rego sent out a stern warning.
"If they refuse to comply with the law, the Juvenile Prosecutor's Office and the State Security Forces would intervene. There is a procedure in the Royal Decree that allows for specifying how all of this will be implemented," she said.
This plan to move migrant minors comes amid ongoing tensions in the Region of Murcia, especially in Torre Pacheco, where far-right groups have been holding protests, some of which have attracted outsiders who do not usually live in the area. These groups have been accused of stirring up anti-immigrant sentiment and threatening migrants.
The unrest began after an incident where a local man was attacked by a young Moroccan man who does not live in Torre Pacheco. This event was used by extremist groups to organise demonstrations that have sometimes turned hostile. National authorities have responded with arrests and heightened police presence to prevent violence.
Local officials are concerned that these tensions could spread and have called for calm. The government delegate in the Region of Murcia said they are monitoring online activity closely to avoid further unrest.
In light of this, the authorities remain focused on ensuring the safety of both migrants and residents as the relocation plan moves forward.
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