This weekend in Madrid, the counselor Augusto Verduga of the CPCCS held an open meeting with Ecuadorian citizens residing in Spanish territory. The objective was to listen to the different problems presented by the migrant community and inform the formation of an international oversight body.
22-year prison sentence for woman for smuggling migrants from Ecuador to the US
Read more
The meeting was attended by dozens of compatriots, most of whom presented their cases about the lack of consular care for those affected by mortgages in Spain. Some attendees expressed disappointment, mentioning that Ecuadorian politicians often come to Spain to campaign and ask for votes, but then they forget to help them solve their problems.
However, Verduga informed them that on February 14, the plenary session of the Citizen Participation Council unanimously resolved to call for the formation of a citizen oversight body. This oversight aims to verify compliance with the rights of Ecuadorian migrants through the embassy and consulates of Ecuador in Spain.
WE INVITE YOU TO READ: The housing eviction against Ecuadorians in Spain generates protests.
“The scope of this oversight will be international and will be carried out within a period of six months,” Verduga explained during his speech. In addition, the participation of at least three migrants who reside in Spain.
The testimonies of the attendees were emotional, as they feel unprotected regarding their real estate problems. One of the representatives of the group of compatriots indicated that from 2019 to 2024 there have been 40 home evictions to Ecuadorians.
Esperanza Córdova, who has lived in Spain for 22 years, expressed concern about her mortgage situation. According to her, it has been “the worst of ordeals”, since she cannot sleep in peace knowing that, despite having paid a sum of money to the bank, it does not understand the situation of people when they lose their job or become found in a vulnerable economic situation.
The TPS: a political maneuver that goes beyond the legal
Read more
The migrant, originally from the province of Loja, lost her home in 2013, but mentioned that since there was previously the Ecuadorian legal service, was able to negotiate with the bank to deliver the property without maintaining the debt. It is important to note that many mortgage contracts in Spain include clauses that stipulate that, if the home cannot be paid off, the bank keeps the property but the person must continue paying the debt.
“I consider that the oversight will be an important support for everyone, because right now we find ourselves helpless. This could solve the problem for many,” Esperanza mentioned.
A married couple who participated in this dialogue indicated that, although they are not in a situation of non-payment or eviction, they are concerned that the cost of the monthly mortgage payment will increase more and more. One of the most common and frequent problems that immigrants in Spain usually face is ignorance about the mortgage contracts variable. These contracts, unlike fixed rate contracts, are subject to the rise of the Euribor, which is the interest rate applied to loans in euros. This can lead to uncertainty and long-term economic difficulties.
WE INVITE YOU TO READ: How much does it cost to obtain a Visa for Spain in Guayaquil and Quito?
“We started paying a mortgage of 500 euros and now it has risen to 1,210 euros in a period of 3 years. Many friends and acquaintances have had to return their homes and have returned to Ecuador leaving the debt behind. Fortunately, with the help of family and our two jobs (my husband and I), we have been able to maintain the apartment. But currently it is a very stressful situation“Karina commented.
During the crisis the 2008, she and her husband lost their jobs and accumulated a debt of 10,000 euros with the bank. “We had to sell a property we had in Ecuador to be able to pay and continue living here.”
Civil registry enables procedures for migrants abroad
Read more
Both hope that there is real help from the Government. In the last elections, “we supported Mr. Noboa, let’s hope he gives solution to migrantsthat we are an important part of the country, said his spouse.
On the other hand, a young Ecuadorian woman also explained her situation regarding the delay in the apostille of documents. Damaris Morales reported that she needs to validate her high school degree from Ecuador in Spain to continue her studies. university studies in Madrid. However, there appears to be a problem with the signature, and months have passed without his title being apostilled.
“I don’t know what problem there is with the consulate, with the organization (…) They called me to come another day and it wasn’t resolved either. The only thing they told me was that I could leave paying the fee and that they would call me “. Morales hopes that the citizen oversight can “speed up consular procedures.”
INTERNATIONAL CITIZEN OVERSIGHT WILL BE LAUNCHED
Councilor Augusto Verduga spoke with EXPRESO to find out the scope of this oversight.
“I have assumed a commitment today with our migrants to provide them with support in the development of this oversight and social control mechanisml. The main problem is evictions, but there are also consular services of apostille on documents, repatriation of bodies and the fact that it is not yet possible to generate a record of the identity change of people from the LGBTIQ+ community,” he noted.
READ ALSO: The Ecuadorian architect who conquers cuisine in Spain.
The international oversight will consist of several phases: call, selection of observers who meet the requirements, training and delivery of credentials to start the process.
Furthermore, Verduga clarified that the CPCCS does not have the capacity to sanction, but it does have the capacity to generate influence so that other control entities take action.
“The Participation Council is a facilitator, has no coercive capacity. However, we are going to support it so that this oversight office finally has objective reports that can serve as input to the State Comptroller General’s Office to initiate special examinations and correct this situation.”
Do you want to access all the quality content without limits? SUBSCRIBE HERE!
2024-02-19 03:02:40
#Citizen #oversight #carried #rights #Ecuadorian #migrants
