Island guarantees that Catalonia will be "responsible" with the integration of minors from Ceuta

BarcelonaGovernment's commitment to welcoming minors arriving in Ceuta following the latest migratory crisis. The President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, reiterated this Friday at the Catalan executive's meeting in Os de Balaguer that Catalonia will act "with solidarity, responsibility, and rigor" in the face of the Ceuta tragedy and the need to welcome minors. Precisely for this reason, he defended the "capacity to welcome" immigrants due to the "humanitarian crisis," but also emphasized the need for secure borders and clear rules. The Generalitat had already made clear from the first day its outstretched hand in welcoming, even though Catalonia would not, a priori, be expected to host more unaccompanied minors because its ratio is much higher than that of most autonomous communities.

The Government's position contrasts with that of Junts, which has threatened not to vote in favor of any governmental initiative if Catalonia welcomes minors from Ceuta, given a system that is, in their opinion, collapsed. In turn, the PP and Vox have called for the expulsion of all minors to their countries of origin, while the Spanish government has also committed to this, but in compliance with international humanitarian law that protects the rights of minors.

Be that as it may, Illa pointed out the "false dilemma" of having to choose between humanism and security, things that are "complementary, not contradictory," as he pointed out. On the other hand, he wanted to emphasize that integration "is working" in the country and criticized the right and the far-right, without explicitly naming them, for "using the humanitarian drama with a shortsighted view and for their own benefit." Thus, Illa stressed the humanitarian aspect: "Everyone seems to have forgotten that 150 people have lost their lives," he stated, defending that humanitarian sense must also prevail in politics. In his opinion, Catalonia has "the duty to protect the value of welcome and integration."

This weekend's meetings are the fifth coexistence days held by members of the Government. On this occasion, to prepare for the start of the political year after the summer break. The previous meetings have been at the monastery of Poblet, in the Vall de Núria, in Arnes, at the Món Sant Benet in Sant Fruitós de Bages, and now at the monastery of Les Avellanes in Os de Balaguer.