Spain: New asylum legislation
01 January 1991
Spain: New asylum legislation
artdoc May=1993
New asylum legislation, which introduces a fast-track system and
abolishes the automatic right of entry to Spain, is to be
introduced. According to government spokesperson, Rosa Conde, the
legislation is aimed at separating `economic immigrants from real
refugees, emulating the system used by other EEC countries.' The
number of applicants seeking refugee status in Spain is already
very low in comparison with other countries in Europe. By
November 92, there had been 12,000 applicants for the year, the
majority from Peru, Poland and the Dominican republic. 94% of
applicants were rejected (El Pais 7.11.92).
Immigration legislation planned
The Minister of the Interior, Jose Luis Corcuera, has announced
that Spain will establish annual immigration quotas. In a key
speech to congress, Corcuera linked uncontrolled immigration to
a rise in racism and fascism and said that he was in favour of
the criminalisation of racism and xenophobia.
Quotas will be established according to productive sectors and
countries of origin, said the Minister, adding that `there is
only room for those who will fit and not one more' (La Vanguardia
10.12.92).
Thousands take to the streets across Spain
50,000 people marched against racism in Barcelona - the largest
anti-racist demonstration in the city's history. Large
demonstrations also took place in Madrid, Zaragoza, Valencia and
Pamplona, to protest at the murder of Lucrecia Perez. In Madrid,
politicians who marched at the front of the demonstration, were
taunted as hypocrites for their part in upholding the notorious
`Ley de Estranjeria' (foreigners law) (El Pais 29.11.92). The
demonstrations occurred as 19 Latin American Ambassadors made a
joint public statement warning about racism in Spain (El Pais
27.11.92).
A demonstration also took part in Barcelona on the initiative
of Moroccan immigration organisations to pay homage to the
hundreds of immigrants who have drowned whilst trying to cross
the Gibraltar Straits (El Pais 13.11.92).
IRR European Race Audit no 2 1992. Contact: Liz Fekete, Institute
of Race Relations, 2-6 Leeke Street, London WC1X 9HS Tel: ++ 071
837 0041