Government pushes through creation of network of comprehensive care centres for victims of sexual violence

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

The government approved the allocation of 19.8 million euros for the creation, in all provinces and in the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla, of a network of centres that facilitate psychological, legal and social care to victims of sexual violence, as well as to families and people in their immediate environment.

This amount will be facilitated to the regional governments through the 'Spain protects you from male violence plan', which will be set up thanks to European funds. The centres will cater, on a comprehensive and permanent basis and with specialised treatment, for women who have suffered some form of sexual violence. The distribution of the transfers needs to be ratified at the upcoming Equality Sector Conference.

The 24-hour crisis centres are provided for in the Sexual Liberty Act, which is in its final passage phase of preparation before being presented to Parliament. The opening of these centres will need to be preceded by the approval of a protocol of action and internal and inter-institutional coordination with the network of care, protection and assistance to victims services.

Extension of restrictions on flights from Brazil and South Africa

The Council of Ministers extended until midnight (mainland time) on 27 April the limitations on entry to Spain of flights from Brazil and South Africa. This is the fifth extension to the agreement by the Council of Ministers adopted on 2 February, establishing exceptional measures to prevent the contagion of COVID-19 and control the spread of the new variants of the virus.

Flights from these countries may only be made when exclusively carrying Spanish citizens or residents in Spain, residents in Andorra or Andorran nationals, or passengers in international transit to a non-Schengen country with a stop-over of less than 24 hours, without leaving the transit area of a Spanish airport.

Prevention and fight against tax fraud

Foto: Pool Moncloa/Fernando CalvoThe government has amended the General Regulation of actions and procedures for tax management and inspections. The new regulation, which completes the transposition of an EU directive, seeks to prevent tax evasion and dissuade the creation of instruments of an evasive nature.

Tax intermediaries and, in some cases, taxpayers, must report on cross-border operations that may be considered to amount to abusive tax planning. In addition, the regulation provides for the publication at the electronic office of the Spanish Tax Agency of the most relevant tax planning cross-border mechanisms that have been declared as such and that have tax relevance in Spain.

Commemoration of Pablo Picasso

The government has set up the National Commission for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the death of Pablo Picasso in 2023, with the aim of highlighting the importance of one of the Spanish artists with the greatest international significance and projection of the 20th Century. The Commission is shaped as an inter-ministerial collegiate body attached to the Ministry of Culture and Sport. The King and Queen of Spain will hold the Presidency of Honour of the National Commission, while the Presidency will be held by the President of the Government and the Vice-Presidency by the First Vice-President of the Government.

The Commission will be commissioned with preparing and planning the events to be carried out by the General State Administration and with facilitating collaboration with other national and international authorities, public and private entities and individuals interested in taking part in the commemoration. Its office will be located in Madrid and its creation will not involve a financial cost.

Declaration of International Romani Day

The Council of Ministers approved an institutional declaration on the occasion of International Romani Day, held on 8 April, and of the 50th anniversary of the 1st World Romani Congress. The government acknowledges the history, language and culture of the Romani people, highlights the work of the Romani associative movement, denounces the discrimination that the Romani people still suffer from and advocates strengthening public policies to foster equal treatment and opportunities.

The National Equality, Inclusion and Participation of the Romani People Strategy is currently being drawn up, under the management of the Ministry of Social Rights and 2030 Agenda.

Non official translation