E/CN.4/2004/76/Add.2
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himself, and the requirements will be the same as for nationals, although in the case of work for
others, account will be taken of the national employment situation and, in the case of the first
authorization, the sector or activity and the geographical area may be limited. In addition to this
procedure there is the quota or allocation system, which establishes the number of necessary
workers whom it has not been possible to recruit from among Spanish nationals; these quotas are
distributed around the various provinces and labour sectors in the light of the national
employment situation. In order to participate in this system, the migrant must apply for the job in
question from his or her country or origin. In addition, other categories of migration are
established, such as those that which do not require a work permit, seasonal workers, transfrontier workers and transnational services.
3.
Return and expulsion
17. In the event of an infringement of the law, the person in question may be expelled from the
country. Expulsion is a punitive process which carries with it a ban on entry into the Schengen
area for a period of 3 to 10 years. Return is a rapid form of repatriation applicable to immigrants
who try to enter Spain illegally. In accordance with the regulations on immigration, attempts at
illegal entry are understood to include interception at the frontier or in its immediate vicinity. The
purpose of return is to prevent illegal entry; it carries no penalties. If return is ordered, the period
of detention and stay on Spanish territory may not exceed 72 hours. Once a decision to return the
migrant has been taken, if return cannot be carried out, the migrant is informed of his obligation
to leave the territory and he is left at liberty. If he does not leave Spain within the stipulated
period, the expulsion procedure is initiated. For 72 hours the migrant will be held in
precautionary detention, failing which the examining judge will order full detention. In both cases
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassy or consulate of the migrant’s country will be
informed.
18. The amendment of the Criminal Code by Organization Act No.11/2003 of 29 September
2003, introducing specific measures relating to public safety, domestic violence and social
integration of immigrants, stipulates that a custodial sentence of less than six years imposed on an
illegal immigrant shall be replaced by an expulsion order. In the case of a foreigner illegally
present in Spain, working in Spain without the necessary permit or engaging in activities
prejudicial to public order, the penalty of expulsion may be imposed following completion of the
corresponding administrative procedure.
19. A number of NGOs told the Special Rapporteur of their concern that the above-mentioned
measure might violate the right of presumption of innocence in that a foreigner accused of an
offence would be punished by expulsion and a ban on entry for up to 10 years, even though he
might subsequently be acquitted, and about the possible lack of guarantees for foreigners
throughout the proceedings.
20. Detention is one of the precautionary measures taken during the expulsion procedure; it is
not of a penal character and may not exceed 40 days. It may be applied for in the following cases:
when the foreigner is present in Spain illegally; when renewal of a permit has not been applied
for; failure to comply with orders issued for reasons of public safety, periodic attendance orders,
or orders to stay away from frontiers or specifically mentioned localities; participation in
activities prejudicial to public order, characterized as serious, or in activities prejudicial to the
external security of the State or which may prejudice Spain’s relations with other countries, or
involvement in activities prejudicial to public order, characterized as very serious in Organization