Undocumented migrants into Ceuta in late July will all return to Morocco: Spanish FM
Madrid, Aug 12
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares has said that the undocumented migrants who entered Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta in late July will all return to Morocco.
Albares made the remarks during a visit to Ceuta on Tuesday (local time). More than 70,000 people illegally crossed the border into the enclave from neighbouring Morocco at the end of July, according to Spanish government estimates.
About 100 people died during the massive migrant influx, Ceuta President Juan Jesus Vivas told an extraordinary meeting of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs last Thursday.
Most of those who entered Ceuta illegally have returned voluntarily to Morocco, but around 10,000 remained in the enclave, Vivas said recently.
Albares, the foreign minister, said some migrants had been misled by online disinformation into believing that entering Ceuta would give them the right to travel to mainland Spain or elsewhere in Europe, reports Xinhua news agency.
"No one has left the city for the mainland (Spain)," he said.
"The diplomatic work we are doing with Morocco is aimed at returning all those who have entered irregularly."
Spanish authorities have cancelled all leave for military personnel and Civil Guards stationed in Ceuta amid online reports of plans for another mass border crossing on August 15.
Earlier, Vivas told an extraordinary meeting of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs that about 100 people died during a mass border crossing into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta.
Vivas said about 80,000 people entered Ceuta, nearly 75,000 of whom subsequently returned voluntarily.
Between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants remain in the enclave, leaving reception centres overwhelmed and creating a severe humanitarian emergency, he said, calling for stronger security, more reception resources and greater support from EU agencies.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The misinformation angle is quite concerning. People risking their lives based on fake news online! Its similar to how rumors spread in our villages about jobs abroad. Spain should work with Morocco to address root causes - poverty and lack of opportunity.
Classic case of "the grass is greener on the other side" - these migrants believe Europe will solve all their problems. But look at Spain's own unemployment issues. India has similar issues with people risking everything to go to Gulf countries or US. The diplomatic pressure on Morocco seems reasonable here.
The sheer scale - 70,000 people crossing in just days - shows how fragile border security can be. As an Indian, I see parallels with our borders. We need stronger cooperation between nations. But also, why is the EU not doing more about the reception centres being overwhelmed? 😔
Sad that people still believe these online rumors. In India we see similar cases on social media where people are lured with false promises of foreign jobs. The Spanish FM is right to emphasize that people were misled. But returning them all to Morocco doesn't solve the underlying desperation.
Border security is a legitimate concern for any sovereign nation. The Spanish authorities are doing what they must. But 100 deaths is a stark reminder that we need humane migration policies. India's citizenship debates and border management issues come to mind - it's never simple.
P We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.