The eviction of Dulce and her five children in Moratalaz has unleashed a wave of public support. Minister Sira Rego attempted to mediate, but the AVS upheld the court order.
The execution of the eviction of Dulce Jiménez and her five children, including a child with Down syndrome, has provoked a strong social reaction in the Moratalaz district of Madrid. This Thursday, the Social Housing Agency (AVS) complied with a court order requiring the family to leave their home, prompting around a hundred people to gather nearby to show their support. The situation intensified when the Minister of Youth and Childhood, Sira Rego, arrived at the scene to attempt mediation with the AVS. Her intervention was based on a recent communication from the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child urging Spain to take precautionary measures to protect the fundamental rights of this family.
Despite the minister's efforts, the AVS representative remained firm in their decision, arguing that they were obliged to execute the court ruling without considering international recommendations. "The law must be respected," agency sources stated. Dulce Jiménez, a single mother affected by this situation, described her experience as "very bad," as she was only offered a shared room after the eviction.
Dulce has five children: two teenagers and three minors; the youngest is José, who faces additional challenges due to his condition. After losing their home, the family temporarily moved to Dulce's mother's house, where other people are already living. "We will be in the living room until I can stand it," she commented, visibly affected.
Community organizations have harshly criticized both the City Council and the central government for failing to take effective measures to prevent this eviction. Roberto Borda, a community representative present during the protests, lamented that the UN Committee's resolution had not been taken into account and questioned why Samur Social was not present to offer suitable housing alternatives.
The AVS explained that this housing had been illegally occupied since March 2022 and that the judicial process had followed all necessary legal steps prior to the eviction. Once the property is recovered after this legal procedure, it will be repaired and allocated to another vulnerable family that meets the established requirements.
Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida also intervened in this social conflict by stating that the City Council had offered housing alternatives to Dulce and her children. However, according to municipal sources from the Social Policies, Family and Equality Area, these offers were rejected by the family due to their preference to stay with close relatives.
This case highlights a broader issue related to forced evictions and housing policies in Spain. In a context where many families face severe economic difficulties due to the constant rise in the cost of living and high rents, situations like this raise concerns about how basic human rights related to housing are being managed.
Municipal social services have indicated that they activate resources for housing emergencies when necessary; however, this specific case has raised questions about how these aids are implemented and whether they are sufficient in critical situations like those experienced by Dulce Jiménez and her children. For those interested in helping or learning about available resources for vulnerable families in Madrid, they can contact local social services directly or visit community centres where specialised advice is offered.
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