Legal report concerning summary expulsion of immigrants from Spain

17.7.2014

Question for written answer E-005812-14
to the Commission
Rule 130
Marina Albiol Guzmán (GUE/NGL)

On 26 June 2014, a group of prominent Spanish lawyers from the I+D+i Iusmigrante project published a report condemning as illegal the Spanish security forces’ common practice of expelling immigrants at entry points.

The report categorises these expulsions as absolutely illegal. The practice has been unequivocally confirmed by documents, recordings and other evidence of all types collected by NGOs working at Spain's various borders. In her answers to previous written questions E-013655/2013, E-004675/2014 and E-001112/2014, Commissioner Malmström said that the Commission ‘[took] note’ and would ‘examine the information received from Spain and closely monitor further developments’.

Given the amount of time that has passed and that systematic infringement by a Member State of its own national legislation, as well as Article 4 of the Return Directive, is an extremely serious matter:

What conclusions has the Commission drawn from its examination of summary expulsions?

Are any of the agents involved in these expulsions also participating in Frontex programmes?

Does the Commission intend to launch infringement proceedings against Spain for carrying out such expulsions?