NGO condemns Barcelona migrant detention center over visiting rights
'Hostile Territory' report from Migra Studium says pandemic still used as pretext to curb visits
'Hostile Territory' report from Migra Studium says pandemic still used as pretext to curb visits
Migra Studium NGO suspects that facility ran by Spanish Policía Nacional wants to hide what’s happening in Zona Franca site
After state of alarm closure, many are calling on CIE to remain shut for good
Roger Torrent describes them as "greatest exponents of institutional racism"
Center empty after authorities were unable to repatriate detainees
Spanish police cite public order and security concerns to justify measure
Migra Studium presents annual report on Barcelona migrant detention center
Antonio López i López made much of his fortune through slave trafficking in Cuba
Group of 60 recent arrivals begin protest over living conditions in state-run facility with demand to be freed says Let’s Close the CIE NGO
The Migra Studium foundation calls for the closure of the Zona Franca detention centre and all similar detention centers for immigrants in Spain (CIE) because “they break Spanish immigration law”. The foundation’s annual report on the detention center for immigrants in Barcelona warns of an increase in the number of minors, an important lack of interpreters and that many detainees do not fulfill the requirements to be expelled from the state. The foundation acknowledged the support of the Barcelona city council, which has tried to close the Zona Franca CIE alleging the lack of an activity license. According to Migra Studium these “are good news, because it shows a raising awareness about the severe situation of the detained immigrants”.
Barcelona’s City Hall has found a legal stratagem for not reopening the Immigrant Detention Centre (CIE), which closed in October for renovation works. The CIE, located in Barcelona’s industrial ‘Zona Franca’ area, didn’t have the correct activity licence nor comply with fire regulations and thus the Catalan capital called for the Spanish Ministry for Affairs, the body responsible for the centre, to cease the CIE’s activity. However, the Delegation of the Spanish Government to Catalonia has announced in a communiqué the reopening of the CIE once the works are done and that the judicial services will appeal Barcelona City Hall’s decision. Before hearing about the reopening notice, Barcelona’s deputy mayor, Jaume Asens, stated that if the Ministry refuses the order and reopens the CIE “coercive measures” such as fines or “sealing off the centre” will have to be put in place.
The death of a Guinean intern in the Immigrant Internment Centre (CIE) in Barcelona last January, plus the recent prohibition by the Spanish Government’s Delegate in Catalonia to allow the Catalan Ombudsman to visit the facilities of the centre, a month ago, has increased the feeling of distrust towards this type of institutions where immigrants without their residence permit are preventively held until they are sent back to their original countries.