The Ombudsman, Soledad Becerril, and the First Assistant Ombudsman, Francisco Fernández Marugán, visited the new Asylum Office located at the border of Beni Enzar (Melilla) where they highlighted the importance of ensuring the early identification of people in need of international protection to guarantee the protection of these people and to avoid serious humanitarian situations.
In the course of her visit, the Ombudsman pointed pout that “the control of migration flows and the chance to enter our country legally and in an orderly manner, must be compatible with respect for Human Rights and international obligations adhered to by Spain “.
The Ombudsman, who had repeatedly requested the installation of this Asylum Office, pointed out that the new facilities improve the process of identifying people who need international protection and those who are trying to illegally enter the country.
During their visit to the autonomous city of Melilla, the Ombudsman and the First Assistant Ombudsman also inspected the Centre for Temporary Stay of Immigrants (CETI), which today hosts 1,509 people, including 530 children. Thanks to the CETI staff in cooperation of the General Direction of the Police and the General Secretariat of Immigration and Emigration, relocation to the peninsula has been greatly sped up, especially for the most vulnerable groups of immigrants.
