October 6, 2024 – 5:48 pm
63 thousand euros in one month – this is what the Spanish province of Valencia is asking from a non-governmental organization that organizes rescue operations for migrants crossing the Mediterranean. Last year, the organization rescued more than 400 people from the water, but if they had to pay “port fees” equivalent to about 25 million Hungarian forints, it would put a serious strain on their budget and their jobs could be at risk.
One reason for the change is that the issue of immigration has become a defining topic in public debates in Spain in general. The other reason is that a conservative and far-right coalition recently replaced the previous socialist government in Valencia. In contrast to the previous leadership, the current government no longer makes concessions to NGOs.
For the past five years, the socialist leadership in Valencia has exempted organizations from paying the tax. On the other hand, a right-wing and far-right government was formed last year, and the port tax is at stake in the elections. This measure affects 16 relief organizations.
This show is produced by the European platform Arte and is made available in 9 languages through the European Media Association's EMOVE network. The network is coordinated by Arte and includes Spain's El País, Poland's Gazeta Wyborcza, Italy's Internazionale, Lithuania's Ir, Greece's Kathimerini, Belgium's Le Soir and Telex. The association receives funding from the European Union after the CNECT Directorate General published a call for the creation of “European media centres” within the framework of the EU’s multimedia action.
