WRITTEN QUESTION E-0754/02

by Isidoro Sánchez García (ELDR) to the Commission

(18 March 2002)

Subject: Illegal immigration into the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands, which lie off the coast of Africa, form part of the European Union's external border. Over the past three years, they have become a point of entry to Community territory for illegal immigrants. It is a well-known fact that the centres provided for immigrants on the islands fail to meet the minimum social and health standards that must be adhered to in such cases. This situation has been the cause of severe problems that have led to complaints from various organisations, which have given rise to genuine alarm and expressions of concern from all sides.

Immigration matters fall within the sphere of responsibility of Spain's central government, and the government of the Autonomous Comunity of the Canary Islands has issued repeated warnings and protests about this situation. Some organisations have expressed the view that the Spanish Government is failing to meet even the most fundamental human rights requirements by not providing immigrants with reception centres at which the most elementary health and hygiene standards are maintained and by not applying the national Aliens Act.

Is the Commission aware that immigrants are being treated in this way? If it is, how does it intend to ensure that the Spanish authorities show due respect for the immigration and human rights agreements entered into by the Community institutions?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(13 May 2002)

The question of the Honourable Member illustrates the urgent need to reduce illegal immigration to the minimum. The Commission has taken steps to initiate a comprehensive Community policy in this field, as described in its Communication on a common policy on illegal immigration of 15 November 2001(1). On the basis of the Communication on illegal immigration the Council adopted a comprehensive plan to combat illegal immigration and trafficking of human beings on 28 February 2002.

As third-country nationals arriving illegally on the territories of the Member States can become asylum seekers, the establishment of a common European asylum system is similarly important. In order to establish common provisions in the field of asylum the Commission has already put forward several proposals, of which two are particularly relevant with regard to the question of the Honourable Member. First of all, the Commission presented in April 2001 a proposal for a directive concerning the reception of third country nationals who have a right to stay, even if they entered illegally, on grounds of having filed an application for asylum(2). This proposal, that might be approved in the near future by the Council, requires Member States to guarantee appropriate living and health conditions for asylum seekers and ensure the full protection of their fundamental rights.

Secondly, the proposal for a Directive(3), presented by the Commission in September 2001, defines more precisely the rights and benefits that third country nationals shall enjoy who have been granted refugee status or another form of international protection.

Finally, it should be stressed with regard to the particular geographical position of the Canary Islands that, on the basis of the Union-Morocco Association Agreement, entered into force in March 2000, migration experts from Morocco and the Union are involved in an ongoing dialogue. Both sides agree that there is an urgent need to find a solution to the increasing migratory flows from North Africa towards the Union.

(1) COM(2001) 672 final.

(2) OJ C 213 E, 31.7.2001.

(3) OJ C 51 E, 26.2.2002.