Migrants arriving in the Balearic Islands suffer systematic violations of their rights

PalmThe report Abandonment and institutional violence towards migrantsThe report, prepared by the Novact Institute and Irídia-Center for the Defense of Human Rights, reveals that the violation of the rights of migrants arriving in the Balearic Islands is systematic. It also highlights the changes that have occurred on the Algerian route to the Islands: while in 2023, 70% of migrants were of Maghrebi origin, by 2025 this proportion had reversed, with 70% of migrants now representing a variety of nationalities. The organizations emphasize the increase in people from Somalia, a country with a 98% asylum recognition rate, a right that is also not being respected in the Islands. Furthermore, the document underscores a well-known fact: the Algerian route is extremely dangerous. In 2024, 517 deaths or disappearances were recorded, and in 2025, 21 bodies washed ashore on the Islands.

"At the time of disembarkation, a police approach predominates, with degrading practices that violate moral integrity," stated Clara Calderó (Novact) on Thursday, who presented the report along with Úrsula Ruiz (Irídia) and immigration lawyer Lola Puerta. One example is that identification numbers are written on people's bodies instead of providing them with a wristband. Even more serious is the fact that, after a horrific sea voyage, migrants arriving in the Canary Islands do not receive adequate "medical and humanitarian assistance during their detention at the Temporary Foreigners' Detention Center (CATE) in Son Tous." Calderó emphasized that the Spanish government is neglecting its duties and that there is no "qualified and contracted medical personnel," with healthcare provided by volunteers who are available when needed. Thus, "adequate medical attention for recurring medical conditions caused by the journey and other illnesses is not guaranteed," he reiterated, adding that once the adrenaline rush from the journey subsides, "medical conditions can worsen." The only response that human rights organizations have received from the Spanish government delegation in the Canary Islands is that "they are working to improve the situation."

There is also no "specialized staff for children or international protection," Calderó continued, which leads to inadequate detection of the vulnerability of people who have suffered human trafficking, gender-based violence, torture, or sexual assault. If people's special needs are not identified, "they are excluded from the protection system." "When children are not identified as such, they do not have access to their rights, which are even greater than those of adults and are internationally recognized." Regarding the conditions at the Son Tous Temporary Immigrant Detention Center (CATE), "they do not meet international standards and those indicated by the Ombudsman," Calderó stressed, adding that "they are not on a boat and have not committed any crime." Furthermore, Son Tous does not have "adequate facilities for children or for special situations." Since 2022, 12,397 people have been detained there, 1,168 of whom were children. "The facilities are like a dungeon, and the showers don't work, which is crucial after a sea crossing," Calderó explained. Regarding those entitled to asylum, "the Ministry of the Interior has not processed any applications for international protection in Son Tous," a situation that highlights "a serious lack of information" about the right to receive protection. [The text then abruptly shifts to a different topic:] adjacent facilities near Son Tous that will be opened to house minors.

Lawyer Lola Puertas emphasized that "there is a lack of resources for adequate intervention" and that court-appointed lawyers must work under serious constraints. "They lack spaces for personal interviews, time, and interpreters [there are only one or two for all the people arriving]." "With massive arrivals, there are not enough resources for all the interviews, and the identification of vulnerable profiles and potential applicants for international protection is greatly hampered," she continued. Furthermore, lawyers lack access to the results of tests used to determine if migrants are minors.

No resources for asylum applications

Like Calderó, Puertas emphasized the lack of resources for processing asylum applications, meaning lawyers can only document "on paper" that a person is seeking international protection. "We have no other tools," she says. According to the lawyer, the Balearic Islands should follow the Canary Islands model, where asylum applications "are facilitated from the very first moment of assistance, with an immediate appointment to process the application." In contrast, in Palma, "no one leaves the Son Tous Temporary Immigrant Detention Center (CATE) with an appointment." For her part, Úrsula Ruiz explained that the report includes 46 interviews with "experts from diverse fields, activists, and institutions," in addition to the results of fieldwork and observation. The organizations also submitted questions to institutions through the Transparency Portal. "European and national migration policies, as well as their application to the autonomous communities, systematically generate situations of human rights violations, especially for groups that require special protection," Ruiz stressed. "Migration management is approached from an emergency and crisis perspective, with stopgap measures instead of establishing the proper structure and adequately equipped services to guarantee human rights," he added.

Furthermore, Puertas questioned the reliability of the pre-trial evidence used to arrest the alleged captains of the boats arriving in the Balearic Islands. "The convictions are based on the testimony of witnesses on the boats, and I understand that they take advantage of a stressful situation to obtain information that may not be as accurate as it should be," he explained. Regarding the Balearic Government's requests for Frontex to operate in the Balearic Islands, Puertas criticized the agency for conducting interviews with migrants "without legal representation," when "this process should be overseen by a lawyer."