Sudanese Migrants Document Their Return Experience

The recent return of Sudanese migrants from Ceuta to Morocco, facilitated through the Tarajal border, has seen these individuals signing a formal declaration upon their arrival in Moroccan territory. This document serves to affirm not only their identities but also their experience of crossing the sea and being subsequently deported by Spain. In this declaration, the migrants assert that they will not attempt to cross again and emphasize that they did not endure any mistreatment or violence that would infringe upon their dignity.

Government Procedures and Legislative Changes

The Sudanese community has already witnessed several instances of deportations involving migrants who underwent a triage process and did not file for asylum, despite having their return cases appealed. The Spanish government maintains that these deportation procedures have been conducted correctly; however, there has been no official statement from the Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, detailing the specifics of these operations, which have also affected several groups of sub-Saharan migrants crossing through the Tarajal jetty.

These deportations have been directed towards Morocco rather than the migrants' countries of origin, but official sources insist that none of the individuals involved were seeking international protection. In a related development, the government is currently drafting an extraordinary decree law aimed at expediting the returns of migrants still present in Ceuta following the massive influx on July 30 and 31. This legislative measure is intended to be approved in the upcoming Council of Ministers meeting, with the goal of modifying asylum procedures to shorten administrative and judicial timelines.

Minister Marlaska, during his visit to Ceuta, indicated that efforts would be made to reduce the current processing time of 12 weeks. This initiative is being developed by several government ministries, with the Interior Ministry driving its momentum, to tackle one of the significant hurdles facing deportations. While a request for international protection is pending or subject to appeal, the applicant retains certain protections that can delay their return.

As reported by elfarodeceuta.es.