Approximately a month after the start of the migration crisis in Ceuta, the Spanish Council of Ministers on Tuesday approved a reform of the current asylum legislation and certain provisions of the migration law. This was reported by the publication ABC, citing government sources. According to representatives of Moncloa, the official residence of the Prime Minister of Spain, these measures are intended to adapt Spanish legislation to the European Pact on Migration and Asylum (PEMA).
The decision to reform was made on the same day that the government announced the introduction of a regime concerning situations of interest to national security and a unified command in Ceuta due to the migration crisis that has been ongoing in the city since July 30.
Reform details
In particular, the Council of Ministers approved two projects initiated by the Ministry of the Interior. They provide for the development of a new asylum law and a large‑scale reform of Organic Law No. 4/2000 of January 11 “On the rights and freedoms of foreigners in Spain and their social integration.” These changes are meant to bring Spanish legislation into line with the norms of the European Union.
According to government sources, the draft new asylum law has been prepared with a “guarantee approach” that ensures respect for migrants’ human rights. At the same time, this approach is combined with the need for effective border management to safeguard the country’s security.
Changes to migration legislation
As for the Law on Foreigners, its partial reform aims to align the legislation with the European Pact on Migration and Asylum (PEMA) on issues related to fundamental rights, introducing new provisions or removing those incompatible with the current version of the law. The changes will not affect the migration legislation system as a whole.
Source: ABC.es
