Urgent Measures Required for Migrant Returns from Ceuta
On September 15, in a session at the European Parliament, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, emphasized that the primary focus remains on swiftly expelling all migrants who crossed into Ceuta irregularly on July 30 and 31 back to Morocco. Brunner acknowledged Morocco's commitment to accepting these returns, highlighting the urgent need for a solution to the ongoing crisis in Ceuta. During the debate held in Strasbourg, he stated, "Our priority is clear: those who entered illegally and have no right to stay must be returned quickly to Morocco." This assertion comes amidst discussions of hybrid attacks and the exploitation of migrants in Ceuta, underlining the necessity for a coordinated response to safeguard the EU's external borders.
Brunner pointed out that thousands of migrants remain in Ceuta, including approximately 2,000 unaccompanied minors, which he noted imposes significant pressure and public order challenges in a territory measuring less than 20 square kilometers. Expressing solidarity with the residents of Ceuta, Brunner acknowledged the unprecedented situation they faced, where the number of migrants nearly equaled the city’s population of 80,000. He extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives attempting to cross from Morocco, stating, "This confirms what we already know: traffickers kill people, and we must do everything possible to stop them." He added that the events of July 30 and 31 tested the resilience of the EU and its systems, although he praised the rapid return of most individuals to Morocco within hours.
Enhancing Border Monitoring and Early Warning Systems
Brunner also highlighted that no migrants entered the Schengen area during this crisis, asserting that its integrity was maintained thanks to the actions taken by Spanish authorities and cooperation with Morocco. He announced plans to meet with key Spanish ministers in Madrid to discuss further actions. In light of the crisis, he advocated for all EU member states to implement the tools outlined in the European Migration Pact to strengthen borders and expedite returns. He stressed the importance of leveraging lessons learned from the Ceuta situation to prevent similar episodes in the future. "The events and images from Ceuta show that we must double our efforts; both traffickers and illegal migrants must understand that our Union will enhance its defenses, and we must assure our citizens that things are under control," he asserted.
While acknowledging Morocco’s cooperation in facilitating deportations, Brunner warned that further efforts are needed to curb illegal departures and combat the criminal networks involved in human trafficking. He also emphasized the importance of actively coordinating with major online platforms to combat misinformation regarding the developments in Ceuta. Furthermore, he proposed improving early warning systems to better monitor networks and respond proactively to new movements, advocating for enhanced resources for Frontex, the European border control agency, to strengthen oversight of criminal networks and online activities.
As reported by europapress.es.
