Badalona migrant eviction has left 400 people without shelter, forcing them to sleep under a bridge during a severe rain alert.
The controversial operation, ordered by Mayor Xavier García Albiol, has drawn sharp criticism from United Nations experts who labelled it “unacceptable and discriminatory.” Consequently, only 16 individuals received temporary accommodation, while the majority face precarious conditions outdoors.
The situation began on Wednesday morning when Mossos d’Esquadra officers cleared the former B9 institute.
Your browser does not support the video tag.
Many residents left voluntarily, however, tensions escalated with those who remained. The authorities completed the eviction, but the vast majority were left with no housing alternative. Their first night was spent in tents outside the building that had sheltered them for two years.
Badalona Migrant Eviction Leaves Hundreds in Peril
Heavy rainfall on Saturday forced the group to seek refuge under a bridge, a move that coincided with a Civil Protection flood alert. This development has significantly increased their vulnerability. Furthermore, the municipal government has not provided a viable solution, despite offers of assistance from the regional government.
Government spokesperson Silvia Paneque has urged Mayor Albiol to reopen the Can Bofí Vell shelter, a proposal the council previously rejected citing structural issues. Paneque stated the Generalitat could provide economic and human resources, but emphasised they cannot act on municipal infrastructure without the council’s initiative. Meanwhile, Mayor Albiol has defended the action, claiming the site represented a security and health risk and arguing the municipality cannot afford the estimated €670,000 cost for housing and feeding the group.
Residents like Maydou Yatah, a cook, express the impossibility of renting privately. “I work in catering,” he stated. “And I cannot rent, nobody wants to be a neighbour of an African.” The mayor’s comments, suggesting those with irregular status live “by collecting scrap” or committing “crimes,” have added to the controversy. This incident highlights broader issues of housing and integration, similar to safety concerns raised in other municipalities over informal settlements.
The Badalona migrant eviction crisis underscores a critical failure in social provision. With winter setting in and adverse weather warnings active, the immediate humanitarian need is acute. The UN’s strong condemnation places significant pressure on local authorities to find a compassionate and lawful resolution for those affected by this drastic action.
Join our WhatsApp broadcast channel for instant news updates!
Source: Read original article
