Spain’s Equality Ministry Takes Vox Lawmaker to Prosecutor Over ‘Hunt’ Migrant Remarks

Spain’s Equality Ministry has asked prosecutors to investigate a senior Vox party lawmaker for calling on people to “hunt” migrants who recently arrived in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The ministry’s directorate for Equal Treatment and Non-Discrimination sent a formal request to the State Prosecutor’s Office on Monday to examine whether the statements by José María Figaredo, secretary general of Vox’s parliamentary group in Congress, constitute a hate crime under Article 510 of Spain’s Criminal Code. In several media interviews, Figaredo repeatedly used the word “invasion” to describe the arrival of migrants and called for them to be “hunted,” saying “we have to hunt them one by one.” The ministry’s filing states that such language goes beyond legitimate criticism of immigration policy. It argues that terms like “invasion,” “hunt,” and “fish” aim to “dehumanize migrants, equating human beings with prey that can be pursued and captured.” The document adds that the call to action could be interpreted as an appeal to persecution and physical violence against migrants in Ceuta. It also notes that Figaredo made these remarks across several outlets, which “increases their potential to create a climate of hostility toward migrants, clearly inciting hatred or violence.” The ministry has also sent the information to the Independent Authority for Equal Treatment and Non-Discrimination, a body that assists victims of discrimination and can pursue legal action if necessary. Equality Minister Ana Redondo condemned the remarks, saying “the red lines have ceased to exist, and the far right is launching hate messages that cannot go unpunished. They are calling for violence and civil confrontation.” Beatriz Carrillo, the ministry’s director for Equal Treatment, said freedom of expression “cannot become an excuse to normalize racism or speeches that may incite hatred or violence. When a public platform crosses that line, democratic institutions cannot look the other way.”