Morocco's Allegations Against Spain Regarding Migrant Treatment
The National Human Rights Council of Morocco has accused Spanish security forces of "excessive force and mistreatment" towards migrants who entered the city of Ceuta on July 30 and 31. This accusation coincides with Morocco's renewed calls for sovereignty over both Ceuta and Melilla, two territories it claims as historically Moroccan.
According to a preliminary report released by the council on August 8, a monitoring team collected testimonies from migrants who were returned to Morocco, detailing instances of abuse by Spanish authorities, particularly in areas that are not monitored by cameras. The report highlights that some migrants, including minors, reported being subjected to insults and physical violence by "extremist groups" while in the city. The council criticized local authorities in Ceuta for failing to provide adequate care for children and young people during these incidents.
These allegations follow a significant surge of migrants who attempted to cross into Ceuta at the end of July, with reports indicating that around 80,000 individuals entered the city within a 48-hour period, according to data presented by the Moroccan council.
Political Landscape Surrounding Sovereignty Claims
In parallel with the ongoing discussions surrounding the events in Ceuta, the issue of Morocco's sovereignty over the two cities has resurfaced politically. Morocco's Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Ouahbi, reaffirmed in an interview with "Al Sharq News" that Morocco remains steadfast in its historical claim over Ceuta and Melilla. He indicated that this matter remains "on the table" during meetings between Moroccan and Spanish representatives, emphasizing that the issue should be approached with a strategy that is patient and dialogue-driven.
From within Ceuta, Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles stated that Ceuta and Melilla "are not merely Spanish cities, but rather quintessentially Spanish cities that cannot be compromised". She asserted that any attack on Ceuta and Melilla would be considered an attack on Spain as a whole, stressing that the events of late July should not be repeated.
The dispute over Ceuta and Melilla is not a new issue. Since Morocco's independence in 1956, the Moroccan government has regarded these cities as territories under Spanish occupation, while Madrid views them as integral parts of Spain. Ceuta has been under Spanish sovereignty for centuries, while Melilla has been governed by Spain since the late 15th century. The current discussions are intensified by a simultaneous migration crisis, linking two highly sensitive issues: migration and sovereignty. Morocco insists that the question of these cities remains open for discussion.
As reported by mc-doualiya.com.
