SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 28 September (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Deputy of the Common, Lola Padrón, has expressed her sorrow over the tragic capsizing of a vessel off the coast of El Hierro, whereby nine individuals have perished and nearly fifty are unaccounted for. She has underscored the necessity for the European Union to “shift its focus towards the Canary Islands with much greater urgency” and to implement the European Pact on Migration and Asylum “without delay.”
“We cannot afford to wait two years; we must ensure that the measures outlined in this pact are enacted, such as border control and the equitable distribution of individuals based on their interests, enabling them to pursue their personal aspirations. It is essential that the services and the islands do not solely become havens for individuals who risk their human rights or, in this particular instance, their lives in search of a better future,” stated Lola Padrón.
The Common Council emphasises the pressing need for Europe to adopt measures and implement the European Pact, which Padrón asserts is “a commendable agreement.” She recalls that the institution she leads has consistently called for “prompt action” and not merely to lament such tragic occurrences, but to recognise the importance of effective coordination among public institutions.
Furthermore, she highlighted that “we must gather and start to change our perspective, but not merely in terms of perception; we need to confront the issue directly. We cannot skirt around it as if it does not concern us; we must not project our gaze elsewhere.” Additionally, international assistance is required, as this is a multifaceted issue that a single nation or autonomous community cannot tackle in isolation, particularly without coherent coordination or agreements.
