A court in the Canary Islands has mandated the closure of a center for unaccompanied immigrant children due to serious allegations, including physical abuse, hate crimes, and threats. On Monday, police arrived at a facility near Las Palmas in Gran Canaria, where 43 children are currently housed. This unique court, specifically focused on violence against minors, directed the police to investigate following significant evidence and testimonies regarding the alleged misconduct at the center.
At least nine staff members were taken into custody for several hours, with authorities indicating that more arrests could still occur. However, the court has kept further details under wraps, stating that the investigation will proceed in secrecy.
Regional authorities have also been notified. In a recent statement, the court emphasized the need for measures to safeguard the welfare of children in such closed environments, aiming to secure their happiness and protection.
In recent years, there’s been a noticeable rise in individuals attempting the perilous journey to the Canary Islands, often departing on unstable boats that struggle against the treacherous Atlantic waters. This uptick has resulted in thousands of unaccompanied minors arriving, leading officials in the Canary Islands to express that the situation is overwhelming.
As of March, the area has seen around 37% of the unaccompanied minors who have arrived in Spain. According to the Spanish Supreme Court, more than 1,000 of these children are living in overcrowded conditions without access to necessary resources.
A survey by Amnesty International recently drew attention to some critical issues. The network of over 80 centers for unaccompanied minors reportedly employs untrained staff, with some even noted to act like “nightclub bouncers.” These centers are also plagued by allegations of excessive punishment, such as isolating children or withholding food. Virginia Alvarez from the organization remarked that such situations are unacceptable, stressing that these are children often arriving from incredibly vulnerable backgrounds.
She highlighted that many of these minors are fleeing human rights abuses or have survived violence and trauma, and they face a lot of uncertainty regarding their futures.
The political framework around this issue has been fraught for over a year, with tensions between local governments in the Canary Islands and the central government about who holds responsibility for these children. Earlier this year, the central government announced required programs to assist regions in taking care of these minors, causing friction, especially in areas governed by the conservative People’s Party.
When the investigation was announced in March, Amnesty International pointed out that the responsibility for the situation falls on various governmental bodies, including local Canary Islands officials. Over the past five years, there have been 28 inspections of children’s centers, with some communities refusing to collaborate with central authorities in providing adequate support for these vulnerable individuals.
Esteban Bertran, director of Amnesty International Spain, suggested that the failures of the protection system in Canary Islands reflect a shared responsibility. He noted that there exists a continuous passing of accountability, leaving children without the appropriate protection they desperately need.
