Spain's Initiative to Protect Unaccompanied Minors in Ceuta
In response to the mass arrival of migrants at the end of July, Spain has announced plans to relocate approximately 500 particularly vulnerable unaccompanied minors from Ceuta to the mainland. Elma Saiz, the country’s Minister of Integration, confirmed this development during an interview with the Spanish radio station RNE, which followed various media reports on the matter. The central government in Madrid is collaborating closely with the authorities in the North African enclave of Ceuta, as well as regional governments across the country, to facilitate this initiative.
The children will be cared for by child protection organizations in appropriate facilities on the mainland. According to media reports, there are plans for a 'binding and solidarity-based reception of minors' by all regions of Spain, which will also include placement in foster families. It is important to note that the figure of around 500 minors is provisional and may be subject to change as the situation evolves.
Minister Saiz emphasized that while specific details of the plan are yet to be disclosed, it is essential that all measures taken prioritize the 'best interest of the child.' The Spanish government has allocated 25 million euros to support Ceuta in this endeavor, and has also requested emergency aid from the European Union.
Since the influx of migrants at the end of July, the Spanish National Police in Ceuta has identified 2,168 unaccompanied minors and handed them over to local authorities, as reported by the state television network RTVE. Estimates suggest that up to 80,000 migrants reached Ceuta during this period, with many making the perilous journey across the Strait of Gibraltar. Subsequently, a significant majority returned to Morocco. The latest official reports indicate that 83 bodies have been recovered from the sea; however, non-governmental organizations estimate the death toll to be well over a hundred.
According to Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, approximately 5,000 migrants remain in Ceuta at present. Providing adequate support and housing for these individuals, who originate not only from Morocco but also from countries south of the Sahara, continues to pose significant challenges for authorities. There is particular concern for the unaccompanied minors who remain, many of whom are girls. The situation in Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in North Africa, is currently classified as a state of emergency.
As reported by watson.ch.
