The Defenders of Gibraltar have expressed their “complete rejection” of what it calls “Spain's latest brainwave” regarding the issuing of passes for cross-frontier workers. The group believes that the frontier pass system would be “inherently discriminatory” towards Gibraltarian and other nationalities residing in Gibraltar, as well as a “dubious cover” for gaining information on individuals who cross that frontier. The Defenders say they assume that such information would be gathered in order to continue a campaign of intimidation.

Whilst acknowledging that there would be some obvious benefits to the pass system, specifically for Spanish-based frontier workers, the group stresses that the issue of causing frontier delays would then be isolated only to Gibraltarians, locals, Gibraltar’s economy and the tourism trade. In effect, says the group, agreeing to such a system “would be tantamount to consent to be punished in isolation.”

A spokesperson from the group said:

“We believe that Spain's latest idea is a distortion of the EU’s recommendation and a twisting of their will and intent. We further believe that the main aim of this idea is to plant a seed of doubt in the minds of cross frontier workers as to who to blame, given that they just want the issue resolved and are fed up of being subjected to inhumane pedestrian or vehicular queues.

“The Defenders of Gibraltar support the Government’s position, as revealed in their latest press release, which is that we consider that any proposed solution to the politically motivated delays at the frontier must also encompass EU nationals and others who are not workers, such as tourists and residents on both sides, whose right to freedom of movement continues to be undermined by the Spanish Government.”