Following the entry into force of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum, which tightens conditions and prioritizes repatriations, two boats have reached El Hierro. The first, with 119 occupants, arrived on June 23rd, and the second, with 40 people, on June 27th.
Regarding the first group, the Police requested the island's judge to authorize the detention in a Foreigners' Internment Center (CIE) of all adult Senegalese individuals, assuming their country of origin would accept their return. The Court of El Hierro authorized this measure for 82 people, who will be detained for a maximum of 60 days pending their return flight to Senegal.
This decision has surprised many NGOs and lawyers assisting migrants in the Canary Islands, as police had not requested such an expediente for some time, given that countries of origin often create significant difficulties for forced returns.
Seeing themselves reflected in the situation of their compatriots who arrived four days earlier, the 20 Senegalese from the June 27th boat have formally stated their wish to seek international protection. This step, in accordance with European directives governing this right, halts deportation until their application is granted or denied.
However, the European Pact on Migration and Asylum also includes a new provision affecting them: an accelerated procedure for processing (and denying) protection requests if the applicant comes from a country with low asylum acceptance rates in Europe. Senegal is among these countries.
For such cases, the European Pact stipulates that everything must be resolved within twelve weeks. If the applicant does not receive the requested protection, their repatriation order is activated.
