The director of the Department of Migration of the Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE), Fernando Redondo Pavón, has rejected the idea that the mass entry of immigrants into Ceuta is related to the extraordinary regularization approved by Pedro Sánchez’s government and has defended that this measure “has been very positive and was necessary.”
In statements to Noticias Obreras, the priest affirmed that “what is happening has nothing to do with the extraordinary regularization,” while also acknowledging “the complexity of the situation” generated in the autonomous city.
Redondo avoided commenting on diplomatic issues between Spain and Morocco, although he recalled the 2021 Ceuta migration crisis and expressed his desire that the mistakes made then not be repeated.
He also pointed out that governments have the authority to “control borders” and to “manage” migratory flows, but he defended that the situation must be handled “within the framework of current law, taking into account the needs of individuals.”
The Church emphasizes the humanitarian dimension
The head of the Department of Migration has explained that the Church wants to “emphasize the humanitarian issue” and has highlighted that the Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta has made its resources available to meet the basic needs of people arriving from Morocco.
In this regard, he called for ensuring “dignified treatment for migrants under any circumstances” and urged public administrations to ensure that all of them are treated “with the dignity they deserve.”
He calls for not “criminalizing” immigrants
Finally, Redondo also warned against using immigration as a “political weapon.” He also asked that the situation not be used to “criminalize migrants” or to “generate fear.”