LOGSE IMMIGRANTS IN THE CANARY ISLANDS

IMMIGRANTS IN THE CANARY ISLANDS

The non-governmental organization Human Rights Watch conducted a six-week research mission to Spain to investigate the human rights situation of immigrants Research focused on the arrival, detention, and expulsion of immigrants and included visits and interviews with NGO members, governmental representatives, and immigrants in several parts of mainland Spain and the Canary Islands.

According to the Human Rights Watch's report immigrants arriving illegally to Spain’s Canary Islands received awful treatment both before and during detention in the old airport facilities of fuerteventura and Lanzarote Immigrants, including asylum seekers, detained at these facilities suffered not only from severe overcrowding, but also complete lack of communication with the outside world - no phones, no visits, no ability to send or receive post. They did not have proper access to information, lawyers, translators or doctors, and could not enjoy fresh air, sunlight or exercise for a period of up to forty days.

Family members, friends, NCOs and humanitarian organizations, except the Spanish Red Cross, were never permitted to visit the facilities or even to meet with specifically identified detainees.

Some months have passed and, according to a more recent report, conditions have not improved since the last investigation. In fact, new information indicates they have deteriorated and there are currently no immediate plans to carry out temporary measures to deal with the rights abuses in these facilities or to initiate the immediate transfer of these detainees to appropriate facilities, although the Spanish government has been aware of the gravity of the situation for some time.

Glossary

NGO: non-governmental organization

Facility: a building, room, etc. for some activity.

1- Based on the ideas of the text, answer the following Questions using your own words as far as possible. (25 words max.) 2 points)

a.) - Of the mentioned conditions in which immigrants are detained, which ones may affect their physical needs^

b) - What kind of urgent actions should be taken by the Spanish government in order to improve the situation?

2- Say whether the following sentences are TRUE or FALSE according to the text. Copy the evidence from the text. No marks will be given without the evidence. (1 point)

a) - Among the detainees there are people who have left their country for political
reasons.

b) The Spanish authorities have not yet realized the extreme importance and

seriousness of the problem.

3.- Choose only THREE of the following words and write a synonym (=). an opposite, a definition or a sentence to show that you understand their meaning in the text. Use your own words.(1,5 points)

a)- conducted d)- indicates

b)- research e)- measures

c)- awful f)- appropriate

4.- Write down three grammatically correct and meaningful sentences by matching both columns Only three of them are correct. (1.5 points)

1 Human Rights Watch wonders	to discourage people entering the country without a work permit.
Last year, Spain introduced a tougher immigration law in an attempt	have few interest in immigration
Unfortunately, the most of politicians	to put immigrant s rights on the Union's immigration policy agenda
During its current EU presidency, Spain is expected	if immigrants receive information about their rights

5.- Write a composition of about 100 words on ONE of the following topics. (4 points)

a) - Do you think we have racial problems in the Canary Islands?

b) - Several reasons have forced you to emigrate. Write a letter to a friend giving him reasons for your decision.