Spanish archbishop addresses protection of juveniles and immigrants

Vatican City, Nov 8, 2007 / 08:32 am

At the 28th Conference of European Ministers of Justice, Archbishop Manuel Monteiro de Castro called for the rights of juveniles and immigrants to be protected and discrimination against them to be “eliminated.”  The apostolic nuncio to Spain participated in the conference as the Holy See delegate.

The archbishop indicated that "European statistics show how such people, in one way or in another, suffer forms of exclusion and inequality of treatment in the workplace, in education ... and in healthcare. ... Moreover exploitation and abuse, including sexual abuse, which affect juveniles and immigrants - especially women - raise many moral and legal questions."

"The Holy See delegation considers such situations to be in patent contradiction to the fundamental values which are rooted in European culture and inspire the process of integration among the peoples of Europe."  

"As for the situation of political asylum seekers and refugees, it must be noted," Archbishop Monteiro continued, "that legal procedures are generally limited to authorizing their entry into the country," without considering "the reasons that bring such people to escape from their native countries."

"Therefore, alongside humanitarian commitment, it is necessary to promulgate norms and procedures that translate the typical forms of European solidarity into legal terms, recognizing that, by reason of their dignity and the rights deriving therefrom, people must not be subject to discrimination."