Doha – Podemos Canarias has expressed its “total disagreement” with the Canary Islands government’s proposal to transfer the care of migrant minors to Morocco.

The left-wing party strongly condemned the plan, viewing it as a dangerous shift that disregards human rights and uses minors as instruments of migration control.

The criticism comes in response to Canary Islands President Fernando Clavijo, who recently defended the repatriation of unaccompanied minors from Morocco and Senegal.

Clavijo argued that returning these children to their countries of origin would “guarantee them a future” with their families.

“The Canary Islands government is working so that these children can be cared for in their countries and guarantee that future in their country, where their family environment is,” Clavijo stated to reporters.

Noemí Santana, regional coordinator and national deputy for Podemos, emphasized, “It is inhumane to use children and adolescents as instruments of migration control. No matter how much the Canarian Coalition and the Popular Party may dislike it, no solution can override fundamental human rights.”

The party accused the Canary government of aligning with the externalization policies promoted by “ultra-right” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Podemos argued that this strategy, also supported by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal for return centers outside the EU, is merely a way to evade responsibility for migration management.

“We cannot allow migrant minors to be used as guinea pigs for an inhumane and xenophobic migration policy,” Podemos stated, urging the search for alternatives that respect fundamental rights.

Read also: Morocco Refuses to Become UK’s Processing Center for Migrants

The party insists that delegating the care of minors to Morocco violates the principles of solidarity and protection that should guide the migration policy of any “responsible government.”

They argue that externalization involves shifting the problem to third countries that do not always guarantee adequate protection, putting the welfare of migrant children at risk.

Clavijo’s proposal comes after a meeting in Rabat on October 8 with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, where the possibility of entrusting Morocco with the care of migrant minors was discussed.

According to government sources, around 800 of the 5,600 children under the care of the Canary Islands regional government are Moroccan nationals.

Podemos Canarias is firmly opposed to a measure they consider contrary to the values of justice and human rights.

They demand prioritization of solidarity-based and responsible solutions to ensure dignified reception for minors on Spanish territory.

The party called for a more comprehensive approach to addressing the issue of unaccompanied minors, advocating for improved integration programs and support services within Spain.

They stressed the importance of prioritizing the best interests of the child, as mandated by international conventions.

Italy-Albania migration deal

This approach to migration is similar to the agreement struck between Italy and Albania last November, which has recently entered execution.

Under this five-year agreement, migrants intercepted at sea by Italian authorities will be transferred to reception centers near the Albanian port of Shengjin for asylum claim processing.

The Italy-Albania agreement has sparked interest from other European countries grappling with rising irregular migration.

However, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama insists the deal is “exclusive” to Italy due to their “unconditional love” and has warned other governments not to look to Albania as a partner for similar arrangements.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government aims to process up to 36,000 applications annually in Albania.

The European Commission has not objected to the arrangement, with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen describing it as an “example of out-of-the-box thinking” to address irregular migration.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholtz expressed skepticism, stating, “These centers are merely a drop in the ocean” and do not represent a solution for larger countries like Germany.

Spain opposes the idea, while France, taking a more cautious approach, calls for “encouraging return when conditions allow” rather than “organizing returns to centers in other countries.”

The ongoing discussions reflect deep divisions within the EU over migration management. As member states grapple with balancing humanitarian obligations, domestic political pressures, and border control concerns, the debate over externalization of asylum processing and the treatment of unaccompanied minors continues to intensify.