Spanish NGO warns of repetition of El Ejido anti-emigrants events

The association of progressist women of Almeria (southern Spain) has warned that last February racist events against north African emigrants could re-occur in view of worsening living conditions for emigrants.

Not only the situation of emigrants in El Ejido (a small locality in southern Spain) has not improved but it has worsened, chairwoman of the association, Mercedes Garcia, told private news agency "Europa Press" before denouncing libelous rumors circulated by some members of the ruling popular party to tarnish the image of emigrants.

She warned that these rumors promote xenophobia and create an atmosphere of psychos among the populations.

She also described as "inhumane" the emigrants' living conditions, which have also been criticized by a delegation of the European Union. Agreements reached between associations representing Moroccan emigrants and Spanish authorities have not been honored, the group had reported following a ground visit.