The Ministry of Equality asks the Prosecutor's Office to take measures against Figaredo after saying that migrants must be "hunted"

The Ministry of Equality has requested the Prosecutor's Office and the Independent Authority for Equal Treatment to investigate whether the statements by Vox leader José María Figaredo, in which he expressly called for "hunting" immigrants after their arrival in Ceuta, constitute a hate crime. On several occasions, in interviews with media outlets, Figaredo has emphasized the "hunting and fishing" of migrants. Furthermore, he has also insisted on describing the arrival in Ceuta as an "invasion," the Ministry of Equality recalls.

In the official letter sent to the Prosecutor's Office, Ana Redondo's department urges the Public Prosecutor's Office to study whether these statements could constitute a hate crime, as provided for in article 510 of the Penal Code. In addition to this, it has transferred all this information to the Independent Authority for Equal Treatment and Non-Discrimination so that, within the scope of its powers, it can act on these statements.

According to the Ministry of Equality, Figaredo's statements are particularly serious: "Insofar as they are not limited to expressing a critical position regarding immigration or, where appropriate, questioning migration policies or the specific actions of the Government in response to what happened in Ceuta, but rather the constant use of terms such as 'invasion,' 'hunting,' or 'fishing' has the clear and direct objective of dehumanizing migrants, equating human beings with prey susceptible to being pursued and captured." Furthermore, it is also argued that the use of expressions such as 'they must be hunted one by one' is a call to action, which can be interpreted as an appeal to persecution and physical violence against migrants who have arrived in Ceuta.

For Minister Ana Redondo, it is a dangerous speech, which calls for hatred and completes Vox's attack on any vulnerable group. “The red lines have ceased to exist and the far-right is sending messages of hatred that cannot go unpunished. They are calling for violence and civil confrontation,” the minister said emphatically. Beatriz Carrillo, director for Equal Treatment and Non-Discrimination and against Racism, also expressed herself, adding that, "freedom of expression cannot become an alibi to normalize racism or speeches that can incite hatred or violence. When that line is crossed from a public platform, democratic institutions cannot look the other way."

Other complaints are added to this one, such as the one filed on Monday by the Forum of Lawyers and Democracy European Democratic Lawyers Network, for the alleged commission of a hate crime and against the dignity of vulnerable groups.