Spain and Morocco Join Forces for Minors' Repatriation
The Spanish government is actively engaged in discussions with Morocco aimed at facilitating the return of unaccompanied minors who have recently arrived in the enclave of Ceuta, with a primary goal of promoting family reunification. Madrid emphasizes its commitment to conducting this operation in accordance with human rights standards and ensuring all necessary safeguards are in place to protect the welfare of the children involved.
Sara Aagesen, the third Deputy Prime Minister of Spain and Minister for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, confirmed that the Spanish executive is coordinating closely with Moroccan authorities to streamline the repatriation process for these minors who have entered the Spanish enclave. During her appearance on the _Hora 25_ program on _Cadena SER_, Aagesen stressed the importance of ensuring that these young individuals return under conditions that align with the principles upheld by the Spanish government. She stated, "When it comes to minors, the respect for human rights is of utmost priority." This focus on human rights, according to Aagesen, will also guide the procedures for returning these individuals to Morocco.
Smooth Cooperation Between Spain and Morocco
The Minister described the interactions between Madrid and Rabat as proceeding "smoothly," expressing confidence that a viable solution facilitating the return of the minors currently in Ceuta will be achieved. For the Spanish government, family reunification is considered the most favorable outcome for these young individuals. Aagesen remarked that their return to Morocco, where they can be with their families, represents "the best solution" for their future. Consequently, the Spanish executive aims to concentrate its efforts on establishing mechanisms that ensure these returns occur while upholding the fundamental rights of the minors involved.
The statements made by the Spanish Deputy Prime Minister reflect a commitment to prioritize family reunification, child protection, and human rights in addressing the situation of minors who remained in Ceuta following a recent surge in arrivals.
Shortly before, Moroccan Justice Minister Abdelatif Ouahbi reiterated Rabat's position on this matter, emphasizing the necessity for the return of unaccompanied Moroccan minors currently in Spain, particularly in light of the migratory crisis caused by the collective migration to Ceuta. "In any case, we remain committed to the return of our children to Morocco," stated the minister, affirming that Morocco's stance has not changed.
When asked about ongoing discussions with Spanish authorities, Ouahbi confirmed that communication channels between the two countries remain open. While referring to Spain as a "friendly country," he asserted that this does not compromise Morocco's right to request the return of its minor nationals. The minister justified this request by highlighting the need to protect these young individuals from human trafficking networks and the dangers they may face away from their family environments.
According to Ouahbi, Morocco has repeatedly expressed its willingness to welcome the Moroccan minors present on Spanish territory during official meetings. He asserted, "Their place is within the family and in school, not in the circuits of illegal immigration.” Furthermore, he cautioned against the risks associated with continuing irregular migratory pathways, mentioning human trafficking, organ trafficking, sexual exploitation, and other forms of criminal exploitation.
The Moroccan minister also reacted to journalistic investigations, including one published by the Spanish daily _El País_, which reported alleged sexual assaults targeting Moroccan women and young minors. Regarding this matter, he assured that Moroccan authorities are closely monitoring these cases and suggested that these issues should be on the agenda for upcoming discussions between Moroccan and Spanish officials. Emphasizing the importance of addressing these topics, Ouahbi reaffirmed the Kingdom's desire to maintain the quality of its relations with Madrid. "We want our relationship with Spain to always remain one of dialogue and cooperation," he concluded.
As reported by fr.hespress.com.
