Prosocial demands that IMAS close Son Tous: "It cannot be a resource of marginalization"

The institutions of the Islands are boasting about the facilities they have set up as emergency resources to accommodate the migrants who frequently arrive on the shores of Mallorca – such as the old barracks of They are allwhich already houses minors. While the Spanish government and executive branch celebrate the opening of this type of facility, Prosocial, an organization that fights to defend social rights, points out that the people arriving by boat to the Balearic Islands "are fleeing wars, persecution, and hunger," and therefore "must be offered the maximum protection." For this reason, the organization notes that during the presentation of the proposal to restrict access to Son Tous for young migrants, Vox argued that the facility would offer few amenities and would have a deterrent effect on others intending to migrate. The far-right's intentions raised alarm bells at Prosocial, which is demanding that the Mallorcan Institute of Social Affairs (IMAS) close the center because, in its view, "Son Tous cannot be a place of isolation and marginalization; nor can the reception of minors be a form of punishment."

Migrant children arriving in Mallorca by boat can now stay in Son Tous

In this regard, Prosocial warns that "the criminalization of this group by certain political parties and media outlets adds to the vulnerability and stigmatization of these young people, and this stigmatization represents a significant barrier to their social integration process, inciting and fostering hatred towards them." Along the same lines, the organization demands that emergency reception centers be monitored to guarantee the proper treatment of minors, ensure that initial reception places are adequately funded, avoid locating facilities in peripheral areas that distance minors from the city center, and increase the number of residential places requested. Therefore, Prosocial asks the IMAS (Mallorca Institute of Social Affairs) to present a comprehensive action plan for the care of migrant minors "that addresses the needs of this group with educational, not punitive, measures, with the aim of strengthening the child and adolescent care system, guaranteeing rights, and adopting a socio-educational approach."