- The Island Council of La Palma, the City Council of Tazacorte and the LGTBIQ+ Violetas Association approve a joint statement of condemnation.
- The island institutions demand the clarification of the violent acts and strict compliance with criminal sanctions for the aggressors.
- The entities reaffirm their commitment to guarantee that the island of La Palma continues to be a safe space, free of hate and respectful of diversity.
The civil and institutional society of La Palma has closed ranks to categorically condemn the latest violent episodes recorded in the municipality of Tazacorte. The Island Council of La Palma, the City Council of Tazacorte and the LGTBIQ+ Violetas Association have made public a joint demonstration of rejection of the La Palma homophobic attacks, which directly attack fundamental human rights and peaceful coexistence in the archipelago.
Zero tolerance for hate crimes in Tazacorte
The three entities promoting the declaration have expressed their unconditional solidarity with the victims of these regrettable attacks. Both the island officials, the local government team and the representation of the Violetas Association have stressed that any hint of physical, verbal or psychological violence motivated by the sexual orientation or gender identity of citizens cannot be tolerated.
The joint response highlights the need to act firmly from all public levels. The authorities have stated that speeches that encourage discrimination or dehumanize minorities constitute the seed of criminal behavior, which is why it is a priority to maintain a common front that prevents the normalization of LGTBI-phobia on the streets of the island.
Requirement for investigation and law enforcement
The official statement makes a direct call to the State Security Forces and Bodies to advance with maximum speed in the corresponding investigations. The priority objective of the institutions is to achieve the prompt identification and arrest of those responsible for the attacks recorded in the municipality of Tazacorte, guaranteeing that the events do not go unpunished.
Likewise, judicial bodies have been urged to rigorously apply current legislation on hate crimes and protection of the rights of LGTBIQ+ people. The entities understand that strict compliance with criminal sanctions is an essential deterrent tool to send a clear message to society about the consequences of intolerance.
La Palma as a space of security, freedom and diversity
Beyond the specific condemnation, the LGTBIQ+ Violetas Association, the Cabildo of La Palma and the City Council of Tazacorte have reiterated their determination to continue promoting active public policies of prevention, awareness and education in diversity. Work in classrooms and community spaces is seen as the fundamental axis to eradicate the structural prejudices that persist in certain sectors.
The institutions have recalled that La Palma has historically been a welcoming island and respectful of the rights of all people. For this reason, they have renewed their commitment to mutual collaboration to consolidate the island territory as a safe environment, where anyone can live and express themselves in complete freedom, without fear of suffering discrimination, harassment or violence for being who they are.
